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July 27, 2016 There’s nothing worse than having a pounding headache, especially when you have work to do, or need to go out somewhere. Whether your headache is a migraine or has been caused by dehydration, stress, a lack of sleep or by eating a less than healthy diet, you just want to get rid of it now. Before resorting to over the counter medications, which will only be detrimental to your long-term health, consider these safe natural alternatives instead.
Peppermint Oil
The most common type of a headache is a tension headache, that can last for hours or days. Stress, which causes the neck and scalp muscles to contract is mostly the cause of a tension headache. A simple remedy for this type of a headache is peppermint oil. Apply it to your temples and massage to ease the tension and relax the muscles.
Sometimes a headache is heralded by a neck ache. You can often prevent a headache from coming on by rubbing peppermint oil on your neck at the first sign of pain.
You can also use peppermint to make a delicious tea calm your nerves.
If you have never used peppermint oil before, test for reactions first, by dabbing a little bit onto your arm or leg.
Magnesium
Migraine headaches, which usually cause extreme pain on one side of your forehead, noise and light sensitivity, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, are the most painful type. People who suffer from chronic migraines have been often found to be deficient in the mineral, magnesium.
To achieve a greater magnesium intake in your diet, take a magnesium supplement, or rub magnesium oil onto your skin. Another way is to increase your consumption of magnesium-rich foods such as seeds, nuts, and dark green vegetables. You can maintain adequate magnesium levels by avoiding too much stress, pharmaceutical drugs, alcohol, processed foods, and coffee.
Chamomile
The anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties of chamomile can help to lessen the pain of a migraine. Make a tea by steeping dried chamomile flowers in hot water. Strain, then add some lemon juice and honey. You can take this drink as often as needed to cure your headache symptoms and to prevent migraines.
Willow Bark
The bark of the white willow tree is known as “nature’s aspirin”, as it contains salicin, which is one of the main ingredients in aspirin, but without side effects when taking a normal dose. If a high dosage is taken for a long time, it can produce similar effects as aspirin.
You won’t have to find an obliging willow tree to debark, as it is available to buy in capsule, tablet or liquid form.
Water
Some of your headaches could be occurring simply because you don’t drink enough water. Dehydration is known to cause headaches, and could be causing yours, especially during cooler weather when you don’t feel thirsty.
You can often prevent a full-blown headache from developing if you have a drink as soon as you feel that pre-headache feeling coming on. As a general headache prevention method, make sure you drink adequate water daily.
Now you have five natural alternatives to cure your headaches instead of reaching for toxic chemical medications. Your body will thank you by staying healthier for the long term.
