8 Natural Headache Remedies

9 out of 10 Americans suffer from headaches. Unfortunately, far too many people accept headaches as a normal part of life. Some people suffer from headaches frequently, while others only get them every now and again. Some headaches are dull and throbbing, others are sharp and debilitating. However the headache presents itself, it’s an indicator that something is “off” in your body.

Headaches can be triggered by subluxations in the spine, stress, fatigue, poor posture, hormones, allergies, poor lifestyle and diet choices, and more. Whatever the cause, it’s time to start paying attention to your body’s signals when a headache sets in.

Over the counter and prescription medications do not treat headaches at their source. They simply mask the symptoms. Natural remedies, such as chiropractic, locate the cause of your headache and treat the source. Here are 8 natural headache remedies to use the next time one of those annoying or painful headaches sets in!

1. Magnesium. People who suffer from headaches often have magnesium deficiencies in their diet. Increasing magnesium intake is proven to reduce frequency in headache and migraine attacks.

By taking 200-600mg of magnesium daily, the number of headaches and severity of headaches can be lessened. Diets high in magnesium include beans, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and fibrous vegetables such as broccoli, squash, and leafy greens.

Dairy, meat, chocolate, and coffee also contain good amounts of magnesium. Eat up!

2. Essential Oils. Essential oils are not new to the game in the world of holistic health. Many cultures have used essential oils for thousands of years in order to treat life’s ailments. Peppermint oil and lavender oil can be especially helpful when treating a headache.

Peppermint oil creates a cooling effect on the skin. It also stimulates an increase in skin blood flow of the forehead. It can even soothe muscle contractions.

Lavender oil is effectively used as a mood stabilizer and relaxant. A study done in 2012 showed that by just inhaling lavender oil for 15 minutes, of 129 headache attacks, 92 responded to the lavender oil remedy.

Use peppermint and lavender oil to treat your headaches by placing a few drops into your hands and rubbing the blend on your forehead, temples, and neck. You can also diffuse the combination of oils for aromatic treatment.

3. Chiropractic. Chiropractic is a safe, holistic, and effective way to treat headaches and migraines. When subluxations are present in the spine, the nervous system cannot function as it should. This can create pain throughout the body, that manifests itself in different ways. Headaches are often an indication of subluxations present in the spine.

Several clinical trials prove that spinal manipulation through chiropractic care can not only help treat, but may also help reduce headache frequency. Talk to Drs. Hohn today if you suffer from headaches. Pure Health Clinic can help!

4. Herbs. Feverfew and butterbur herbs have been used for thousands of years to relieve tension and headaches in the body. Plenty of research shows that consuming feverfew reduces the frequency of migraine headaches and their symptoms. You can purchase feverfew supplements as capsules, tablets, or liquid extracts, and researchers recommend consuming between 50-100mg of feverfew extract for headache relief.

Butterbur is known to reduce inflammation that can trigger headaches in the body. Researchers recommend around 75mg, twice a day, for the best headache reducing results.

5. B-Complex Vitamins. Several B vitamins help the formation of neurotransmitters that may be lacking in people who suffer from migraines. Unfortunately, many Americans are deficient in one or more of the B vitamins. This causes fatigue, headaches, and other nasty side effects.

B-complex vitamins include thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, and pantothenic acid. Together, these all work together to boost immunity, boost circulation, improve mood, and even prevent headaches.

6. Hydration. Dehydration can be a major trigger to headaches. Too many of us pump our bodies full of caffeine, sugary drinks, and alcohol which actually dehydrate the body. The bottom line? Most Americans just aren’t getting enough water. Drinking water in and of itself can prevent or relieve headache pain. Aim to drink at least 64 oz of water each day.

You can also get some extra hydration by eating fruits and vegetables. Try adding these foods into your diet to help you stay hydrated!

• cucumbers
• celery
• green peppers
• cauliflower
• eggplant
• spinach
• grapefruit
• strawberries
• oranges
• cantaloupe
• zucchini

7. Stretch and Move. Staying in the same position for too long can trigger a headache. Whether you’re stuck behind your desk, driving on a road trip, or texting your best friend, being stuck in the same position can lead to body tension and headaches.

In order to avoid headaches from this, make it a goal to take a break every 30 minutes to an hour. Get up and stretch — move your head and neck around — and take a little stroll. By incorporating stretching and movement into your day, you’ll release muscle tension, improve your posture, and clear your mind!

8. Cayenne Pepper. Cayenne pepper has been used for thousands of years as a holistic treatment option. Cayenne contains capsaicin, which is great for pain treatment and reducing inflammation. Cayenne works in treating headaches by reducing the bodily element, P, and stimulating a pain response in another area of the body.

When less substance P is presence in the body, pain signals no longer get sent to the brain, allowing relief. Many cultures use cayenne topically, in muscle rubs, in order to alleviate headaches and relax muscles.

Pure Health Clinic Can Help With Your Headache Pain

If you find yourself suffering from headaches or migraines, Pure Health Clinic can help. Located in Howell, MI, Drs. Chris and Crystal Hohn strive to help the community live happier and healthier lives. Chiropractic care has proven time and time again to be an effective remedy in treating migraines and headaches.

Whether you’re suffering from headaches, allergies, back pain, or more, chiropractic can help. It is a safe, holistic, and effective wellness path.

Contact our office today at (810) 588-4036 to schedule your appointment. We look forward to helping relieve your headache pain!