Nobody likes a headache and many of suffer from at least one a week, if not daily. With all the stress that life can throw at us, we all want relief from an aching head as fast as possible. There are many headache remedies to relieve headache pain and tension, that don’t involve taking a pill. Here are a few of those remedies that are proven to work wonders.
1. Cayenne Pepper
You are not going to ingest the Cayenne pepper mixture, but rather swap the inside of your nose with it. This works wonders…I will no doubt burn a little, but that just means that is working.
Credit | The Iron You
Mix the following together.
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder
- 4 ounces of warm water
- cotton swabs
Dilute a ½ teaspoon of cayenne powder in 4-ounces of warm water. Soak a cotton swab in the solution and stir it around to make sure it’s covered.
You will then swap the inside of each nostril with the solution. Your headache should subside shortly after.
2. Almonds
Credit | NDTV.com
Almonds are a great way to get rid of a headache. They contain something called salicin, which is actually found in many over the counter headache and tension medicines. Eat a few handfuls of almonds and your pain should be relieved. This method works great for tension type headaches.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a an amazing product that has so many uses it would take all day to write them down. One of its many, awesome uses, is headache and tension relief.
To make the compress, you will need the following.
- 1/4 cup of ACV
- Roughly 3 cups of boiling water
- 1 cup of fresh cool water
Pour ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar into a large bowl, and then fill the bowl halfway with boiling water. Place a towel over your head so that you are trapping in the steam. Hold your face over it. Do this for 5-10 minutes, or when the water starts to cool down, breathing in and out deeply.
After you can use the towel to wipe your face, or rest on your forehead.
4. Fish Oil
Thanks to fish oil being filled with omega-3 fatty acids, which promote a healthy heart. This method works great! When most headaches occur, they are caused by blood vessels contracting. When this happens in your head, nerves are pressed. Fish oil can help alleviate the those vessels from contracting.
Simply take 1-tablespoon of fish oil or fish oil oral supplements and drink a glass of orange juice.
5. Warm & Cold
Different types of headaches can respond differently to different types of temperatures.
Try placing a cold or hot compress on the affected area. If you have a tension headache, you may want to place a compress on your neck and shoulders. If it’s a regular old headache, lay on your back and place a compress on your forehead.
A frozen bag of peas can work wonders as a cold compress and a headed up rice sock is beyond great for a hot compress. Try mixing it up, maybe a cold compress on your neck and a warm compress on your forehead…or vice versa.
6. Avoid MSG In The Foods You Eat
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is added to food to enhance its flavor. It is derived from an amino acid, called glutamic acid, which occurs naturally in various foods. Many people who suffer headaches find that foods containing MSG triggers migraines or other types of headaches, possibly due to the fact that it excites our neurons.
MSG is very popular in Chinese food and can also be found in other foods, such as meats, canned veggies, gravy/soup/dip mixes, and soy-based items. You will also want to avoid the following words on your food labels.
- Gelatin
- Yeast extract
- Anything “hydrolyzed”
- Textured protein
7. Improve Your Posture
Having poor posture can effect your body in a big way and as a coincidence of poor posture, headaches and tension can occur.
Try using an ergonomic chair if you are in a job where you sit for long periods of times. No matter what you do all day, take a moment and stretch. This will ensure positive blood flow and your muscles will thank you.
8. Chomp On Some Ginger Root
Prostaglandin synthesis is a process that takes place in some animals (including humans) that makes lipid (fat) compounds within their cells. Those fatty substances are like little chemical messengers that mediate biological processes, like inflammation, and alerting neurons to pain. Certain enzymes spark off the prostaglandin synthesis, while some drugs, such as aspirin, inhibit the synthesis.
Credit | My Haitian Kitchen
Ginger root, a natural alternative, is thought to inhibit the synthesis as well. On top of that, if you’re getting knocked with a migraine, it can help quell your nausea. Simply sip a nice steaming cup of ginger root tea and relax while you wait for your headache to ease up.
Here is a nice way to consume ginger root.
- 3 quarter size slices of gingerroot
- 2 cups of water
Slice of three pieces of ginger root, with each being roughly the size of a quarter. Gently simmer the pieces of ginger in 2 cups of water, covered, for 30-minutes. Use something to remove the pieces of ginger and transfer to a mug, or if you prefer, leave them in. Sip slowly and breathe in the steam if you want. Relax!
9. Use Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the most soothing oils you can use. Not only does the smell cause your brain and body to relax, the oil itself has positive benefits when applied to the skin.
Simply rub peppermint oil on your temples, neck, behind the jaw and forehead. Lay back and relax. Breathe in and out slowly and your symptoms should subside shortly.
10. Use A Pencil
Credit | The Daily Pedia
That’s right…a pencil. Place a pencil or pen in between your teeth, but don’t bite down! This will relive tension from your jaw, which in return will relieve tension from the neck above.
11. No More Chocolate & Caffeine
There is caffeine in chocolate and caffeine can be a major trigger for many people when it comes to headaches.
12. DRINK…DRINK…DRINK
Not booze…I know…and…I’m sorry. We are talking about drinking water! You must, must, must drink water! If you drink a healthy regiment of water throughout the day, your frequency of headaches will minimize. If you are in the midst of a headache, you will want to drink at least 8 to 16 ounces of waters immediately.
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