What is it with headaches? While I'm no martyr, I have a reasonable threshold for pain--except when it comes to headaches. That nagging pain just seems to pierce right through my defenses, and frankly turns me into one heck of a grouch. And don't even ask what I turn into when a bonafide migraine sets in. Trust me, you don't want to know.
I used to get headaches all the time. Between me and my husband, it wasn't uncommon for us to go through a bottle or two of ibuprofen in a given month. Fortunately, changing our diet and lifestyle has taken care of most of those pesky head pains. But the problem is, we still reach for the ibuprofen when we get hit with the occasional headache (even though we probably only go through a bottle once or twice a year now). I don't really like using medication if I don't have to, but where do I find an effective natural remedy for headaches and migraines?
It occurred to me last week that this question could probably be answered best by my fellow health renegades, so I asked my Facebook fans what they do when a headache strikes. I was overwhelmed by the response this question received, and even remembered a few tricks I have up my own sleeve, so I thought this topic was more than deserving of an official blog post:
21 Home Remedies for Migraines and Headaches
1. Peppermint oil. Rubbed on the forehead, temples or back of the neck, peppermint essential oil
has a way of dissolving headaches into nothingness.2. Willow bark. Known as the natural alternative to aspirin, willow bark is actually what aspirin was originally made from. It contains the pain-relieving compound salicin, and is one of the most common natural remedies for headaches.
3. Take a nap. Ever notice how the world seems renewed after a nap? Sometimes just a simple power nap is enough for your body to reboot and squash your headache.
4. Eat something! Headaches are often a sign that you've gone too long without eating a balanced meal. In fact, my last headache is a good example: I'd gotten caught up in working and hadn't eaten in a while. Next thing you know, I had a raging headache pounding my brain. Needless to say, I couldn't work much after that. An ounce of prevention is definitely worth a pound of cure in this case!
5. Acupuncture. This increases blood flow to tissues and is shown in studies to prevent migraines.
6. Water. Headaches can be a sign of dehydration. Sometimes drinking a tall glass of pure water is 
enough to stop a headache in its tracks. Staying hydrated is also a good way to prevent headaches from occurring in the first place.7. Massage. A good massage improves circulation and is obviously relaxing, and it might be just what you need to melt away that headache. In any case, we all need more excuses to get a massage!
8. See a chiropractor. Being out of alignment can definitely give you head pain. Many report that regular visits to the chiropractor is highly effective for relieving headaches and migraines.
9. Feverfew. This herb has been used since ancient times to treat pain, including headaches.
10. Hot showers. As with a massage, I'm always up for an excuse to take a hot shower. I always feel more relaxed and rejuvenated afterward, which goes a long way in relieving headache pain.
11. Baltic amber necklace (milk and butter color). I don't know much about amber, but Health, Home and Happiness wrote an excellent post on it recently.
12. Acupressure. Not quite the same as acupuncture (no needles), one suggestion is to pinch the spot between your thumb and index finger. Gently increase pressure until there's a dull ache, then hold until your head pain subsides.
13. Magnesium. If you're deficient in magnesium, it could very well be the cause of your headaches 
and migraines. Correct the deficiency, end the migraines. And magnesium supplements can get rid of a headache that's already begun as well. Learn more about magnesium here.14. Cold packs. Whether an ice pack or a cool washcloth, cold can definitely ease headache pain.
15. Yoga. The benefits of yoga include improved circulation, relaxation, healthy blood pressure, and heightened neurotransmitter levels. All of these combined make for a great headache remedy.
16. Cherries. Cherries contain the active compound Quercetin, which is a powerful antioxidant and has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Users report that eating cherries or drinking cherry juice helps tremendously with headache pain.
17. Get outside. Let's face it: the air inside of our homes and other buildings isn't ideal. Fresh air is vitally important for health, as is getting adequate sunlight. A few minutes outdoors can be surprisingly refreshing, even enough to relieve your head pain.
18. DLPA. This supplement (a form of the amino acid phenylalanine), naturally increases dopamine levels, which can help ease pain of all kinds.
19. Salt loading. This one sounds interesting (haven't yet tried it myself), and has to do with detoxing bromide from the body. Read more about it here.
20. A cup of tea. Not only is a warm cup of tea relaxing, but a tea that uses herbs like peppermint or willow bark can also directly help reduce your headache pain. Green tea is also especially helpful, as it contains a small amount of caffeine, which some people find helps with headaches and migraines.
21. Eliminate the cause. This is more of a long term approach, but it's by far the most effective. Food additives like aspartame and MSG can cause migraine headaches. So can food allergies like gluten intolerance. Find out if your diet is causing your headaches, and you'll be on the road to real recovery.
Do you know of any more headache and migraine remedies? Do you have a story to share about overcoming chronic headaches? Please share in the comment section below!
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This post is part of Real Food Wednesday and Fight Back Friday.
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