How to treat headaches naturally? If you're looking for effective home remedies and measures to get rid of headaches and migraines, you've come to the right place! According to the Robert Koch Institute, around 57.5 percent of women and 44.4 percent of men in Germany suffer from the widespread disease headache at least once within a year.₁
Personally, I am one of them. And I'm sure you know the unpleasant feeling when a throbbing pain spreads through your head and you don't want to do anything but crawl into a dark room. This suffering, which usually hits us suddenly and unexpectedly and massively affects our daily lives, can be the result of a wide variety of causes.
However, taking ibuprofen, acetaminophen and other headache pills only numbs and does not fix these triggers. Fortunately, there are some natural home remedies that can help you fight migraines, headaches or headache attacks at the root or even prevent the pain associated with them.
In this article I would like to introduce you to the best natural remedies with which you can effectively relieve headaches. Before you start, you will also learn the most important things about the different types of headaches and their most common triggers. Let's go!
Notice: This article is not a substitute for medical advice, but only provides general information for headache relief. Please see your health care provider if you feel unwell to prevent health problems with medical care.
Types & Causes: What forms of headaches are there and what can be the triggers?
So headaches are not a sign of a possible "lack of medication". What then could be the reason for one's headaches? The answer to this question is of great importance mainly because it is important hints for the most target-oriented natural treatment holds ready.
It is first important to understand that not all headaches are the same. In fact there are many different types of headachesThese differ mainly in their intensity, duration and accompanying symptoms. Here I would like to briefly introduce you to the most common forms of headaches and their respective triggers.
Tension headache
This type of headache affects a particularly large number of people and can be treated with a dull-pressing, mild to moderate bilateral pain characterize with the emphasis in the forehead area or the back of the head. It feels something like a ribbon that you tie around your head.
Muscle tension, stress, sleep disorders or a High eye strain are considered the most common causes.
Migraine
Migraine or a migraine attack is understood to be a sudden, severe headache (usually only on one side of the head)which recurs at least five times at irregular intervals. The pain is usually even more intense than in ordinary headaches and is usually accompanied by other complaints, such as nausea and sensitivity to light and sound.
Typical triggers are said to be mainly hormonal changes, certain foods or excessive stress be
Cluster headache
Cluster headaches are defined as unilateral and extremely painful headache attackswhich last between 15 minutes and 3 hours, and clustered in series and often occur at the same time of the day. In this type of headache, the pain is located mainly in the eye socket and in the forehead and temple area. It also occurs here with accompanying symptoms (e.g., runny nose or eye watering).
The exact cause is not yet fully known. But there are certain Trigger of everyday life that can trigger a cluster attack. This can be, for example, the Consumption of alcohol or dairy products or also a Strongly dazzling or flickering light be
Good to know: Because they are not due to a structural disorder, the above headache forms are all classified as primary headaches.
The most common causes of headaches at a glance
You have already learned about some of the reasons. In the following I would like to give you these and some other triggers for headaches now put together once again clearly:
- Stress and mental overload
- Neck tension
- Sleep deprivation
- Lack of water (dehydration)
- Alcohol consumption
- Lack of exercise
- Nutrient deficiency or food intolerance
- Vision problems and sensitivity to light
- Hormonal changes (e.g. menstruation or pregnancy)
- Excessive consumption of sugar or caffeine or their withdrawal
- Heavy metal exposure
- Incorrect posture (e.g. at the computer screen)
- Certain weather conditions
- …
With the help of your personal symptoms, you can then be guided on site by the To the doctor you trust or also digitally by licensed physicians from Online pharmacies like Apomeds Find solutions to your headache problem.
In many cases, however, it is not at all easy to identify the exact trigger. An understanding of the possible reasons for the headache, However, at least helps to narrow down the most effective treatment method or to take preventive measures.
10 home remedies: how to treat headaches naturally?
Having dealt with the causes and forms, we can now turn our attention to the Devote solution to the problem. There are numerous natural remedies for headaches and also supportive techniques that can effectively relieve or prevent your head ailment.
It is best to try them out little by little and observe what helps you best. Many of the home remedies you have probably even at home - or are generally extremely easy to integrate into your everyday life.
Use the following now, natural approachesto fight your headaches and gradually alleviate them without having to swallow headache pills.
1. apply essential oils
Fragrant essential oils, such as. Peppermint or lavender, are natural home remedies that have had their place in naturopathy for centuries.
Just a few massaged dabs of peppermint oil on your forehead, temples, or your neck area, can help the Promote blood circulation in the scalp and relieve the moderate headache. Lavender, on the other hand, has a calming effect and can help especially with stress-related headaches.
2. use cold or heat
Cold compresses, washcloths or a cooled gel pad are among the best-known, pain-relieving home remedies for headaches. An ice-cold neck cast can also stimulate blood flow to the head and provide more blood and oxygen to the nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord.
Other headache patients are more likely to be helped by treatment with heat, which in turn relieves muscle tension. For example warm compresses, foot baths or full baths help to get rid of the acute pain. In the same way, the interplay of cold and heat can also help.
3. drink enough
What helps against headaches? First and foremost, drink enough fluids. If you don't drink enough, your body will give you the appropriate warning signals. As the blood thickens and less oxygen reaches important brain nerves, headaches are among these tell-tale signs. The so-called Dehydration is also actually one of the most common reasons for headache attacks.
So make sure that you drink enough water every day and generally a healthy lifestyle lead. Take in about 2-3 liters of fluid by drinking the Pure water or also as unsweetened teas you consume. Alcoholic beverages (such as wine, beer or cocktails) should not be included, as their consumption dehydrates the body and, from experience, they usually leave you with a severe headache the following day.
Tip: Water tastes too boring to you? Then I have in the linked article a few ideas for you to Give taste to tap water! And if you like, you can also learn about the best, soothing teas inform
4. schedule time in the fresh air
If you want to get rid of your acute headaches, set aside enough time each day zu on foot or by bike in forests, parks and green landscapes! Being outside is healthy!
Among other things also because natural sounds (such as the chirping of birds or the rustling of trees) have a stress-relieving effect and can Sunlight on your skin produces vitamin D and strengthens your immune system. There is also no overstimulation in nature. You can switch off, come to rest and counteract your headaches.
Tip: However, you should also ensure a fresh supply of air within your four walls by specifically opening the Improve indoor climate - for example, through regular ventilation. I'll be happy to explain what else you can do in the linked article.
5. use massage and acupuncture
With the help of a soothing massage, you can not only relax the Take away everyday stress, but in particular also Release tension in the neck and head areathat may be responsible for your headache. For many sufferers, the pain disappears immediately after application.
With the healing treatment originating from China and Japan the Acupuncture you have another option to control the pain in the head area. The punctures with the fine needles are supposed to help especially with acute headaches or migraines.
6. take willow bark extract capsules
Willow barks are rich in salicinwhich can achieve a pain-relieving effect comparable to classic headache tablets (e.g. aspirin) and can definitely help with mild headaches. Special capsules with willow bark extract could therefore be a natural home remedy that provides relief.
You can use the active ingredient of the medicinal plant alternatively also take in the form of a tea and at the same time still do something to achieve your daily fluid needs. Let me tell you, though, that it tastes relatively bitter. But from my own experience, of course, I know that you are willing to try anything to get rid of the annoying headache.
7. take time for relaxation exercises
Relaxation exercises can help you with this, Reduce stress, which unfortunately often plays a major role in the development of headaches. Regular Meditation, yoga, Forest bathing or also Progressive Muscle Relaxation are absolutely recommendable measures in this respect. They take the pressure off and help you become much more relaxed and prevent possible total exhaustion.
Do these exercises best to binding appointments with yourselfby putting them firmly on your calendar. This Me-Time is a regular time-out to do the things that make you feel good - and a great, natural remedy for headaches.
8. provide dark, quiet environment and plenty of sleep.
It is above all the Excess of stimuli (whether at the screen of laptop and smartphone or in the city), which triggers the headache in many sufferers. In the darkness or at night, our body then finds the time to recover from the experiences and stress of everyday life.
Laying you down in a dark room and your To switch off brain times so correctly, therefore, is considered one of the best, natural remedies for headaches and as one of the most effective immediate measures - whether for a daily after-rest or simply for an hour or two during the lunch break.
9. take in sufficient magnesium
A magnesium deficiency is considered a frequent trigger of migraines and headaches. And even if you take enough and consciously with foods containing magesium (such as sea lettuce, wheat bran, cashews, bananas and almonds), the body's need for the nutrient in stressful everyday situations can be significantly above normal.
So you may be able to remedy and even prevent your headaches by taking magnesium for some time via Food supplements supplement.
10. provide regular exercise
People who exercise too little often suffer from physical symptoms such as headaches. Because movement promotes blood circulation and can eventually release the very tension that is causing your headaches.
That's why you should definitely consider jogging, swimming, biking, walking, or other athletic hobbies. Make it an integral part of your everyday life - especially when you're already sitting in a desk chair.
Also regular Stretching exercises should be planned as a preventive measure. And since chronic headaches are often caused by stuck or hardened fasciae, it can also be helpful to use a special Fascia training to complete.
Treat and get rid of headaches naturally
Recurring or persistent headaches can affect our Dramatically reduce quality of life. Over-the-counter painkillers from the pharmacy may help some sufferers in the short term - but since they do not get to the root of the problem, the effect is not long-lasting.
A natural approach to headache relief, on the other hand, can help alternatively treat exact reasons of the pain without burdening the body with unnecessary medication.
"Health is not everything, but without health, everything is nothing."
Arthur Schopenhauer (more at Health Quotes)
In conclusion, I would like to give you a few more further articles from the blog that might also help you combat a possible head pressure or forehead pain:
- Easy on the eyes at the screen - This is how it works
- Become more relaxed - Tips & Tricks
- Reduce screen time with these tips
I sincerely hope that my experiences, suggestions and tips will help you to cure your headaches in a natural way. Do you have any questions, suggestions or do you know other natural remedies for headaches? Then I am very happy about your comment.
Stay headache-free,
PS: Nowadays, we humans spend much more time at screens than we used to. Of course, excessive use of computers and smartphones is not without health effects and is considered a common cause of headaches. A Digital Detox (the conscious time-out without digital devices) can help you in this regard. How this works best, you will now learn next in the linked article.
References:
₁ Robert Koch Institute (RKI): Migraine and tension headache in Germany. Prevalence and disease severity in the BURDEN 2020 - Journal of Health Monitoring S6/2020 disease burden study, available at https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/Gesundheitsmonitoring/Gesundheitsberichterstattung/GBEDownloadsJ/JoHM_S6_2020_Migraene_Spannungskopfschmerz.html. [14.09.2023].
