Author: James Anderson
14 Ways to Cure a Headache Without Medication
Interestingly, magnesium has also been shown to be a safe, effective remedy for headaches. For people who often experience migraine, avoiding strong smells may be a wise step to take when trying to prevent them. Bright office lights or even a smartphone’s bright light may worsen symptoms. To treat migraine, you might need acupuncture once or twice a week for 8-10 sessions.
With our help, you’ll be able to soothe your head and prevent future headaches from coming on. This may be because alcohol acts as a diuretic, making the body release more water via the urine. Vitamin E may relieve headache pain and symptoms from menstrual migraine with a low risk of side effects. It’s not common, but exercise actually triggers headaches for some people. And see your doctor so they can make sure you don’t have another health problem.
Medications ease the pain for many, but they can sometimes be ineffective or overused or cause unpleasant side effects. Of the herbal supplements mentioned in the review listed above, curcumin and chamomile are generally considered safe. However, it’s important to check with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy to treat headaches.
How to Talk to Your Doctor
Studies have shown that taking CoQ10 supplements may be an effective natural way to treat headaches. Whether you have a minor throb or a debilitating migraine, they can be a mood buster. But what if we told you there were plenty of ways to help the pain fade away? In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about getting rid of a headache, from at-home care to over-the-counter medications.
- B-complex supplements contain all eight of the B vitamins and are a safe, cost-effective way to naturally treat headache symptoms.
- Additionally, some people are more likely to experience headaches than others.
- This hypersensitivity to odors is called osmophobia and is common in those with chronic migraines (52).
- In a review study, researchers found that the frequency of headaches dropped by half or more in up to 59% of people who got acupuncture.
- Headache frequency and intensity were reduced more in those receiving both yoga therapy and conventional care than in those receiving conventional care alone (49).
Studies suggest that consuming histamine may cause migraines in those who are sensitive to it (25). It may help if people avoid sources of these smells, such as department stores, others who wear a lot of perfume, or chemical smells from cleaning products. It may help to rest in a dark or dimly lit room while recovering from a headache. Check for anything that is putting too much pressure on the head.
Relaxation techniques
In a review study, researchers found that the frequency of headaches dropped by half or more in up to 59% of people who got acupuncture. A headache is a painful sensation that can be felt anywhere on the face or head. Headaches can vary in intensity from mild to severe, and there are several different types of headaches that you may experience.
Although many medications can be used to treat headache symptoms, a number of effective natural treatments also exist. Some B vitamins may help protect against headaches or reduce them. A study noted that B vitamins, including vitamins B-6 and B-12, may all play a role in preventing migraine headaches or reducing headache symptoms. The smells of essential oils may bother some people, and experimenting with different oils that individuals find relaxing may be a way to ease headache symptoms.
Yoga, nutritional supplements, essential oils, and dietary modifications are all natural, safe, and effective ways to reduce headache symptoms. Aromatherapy that uses some essential oils may also relieve symptoms of a headache. The 2018 review in Children noted that inhaling lavender essential oil for 15 minutes reduced the severity of headaches, according to one study. If you have frequent migraine attacks, you’re all too familiar with the throbbing headaches that can wreak havoc on your day.
Try some herbal tea
Massaging certain pressure points may help relieve tension in the head and reduce headaches. When stressed, many people do this instinctively, such as rubbing the back of the neck or pinching the top of the nose. However, if you get frequent headaches or your headaches stop you from performing everyday activities, you should discuss the issue with a healthcare professional. One study investigated the effects of yoga therapy on 60 people with chronic migraines. Headache frequency and intensity were reduced more in those receiving both yoga therapy and conventional care than in those receiving conventional care alone (49).
If you are experiencing a headache, it will likely subside over time and can be alleviated with the help of pain-relieving medications. If your headaches are persistent, a healthcare professional will be able to help you identify what type of headache you’re experiencing and advise the best treatment options. Because people experience negative effects from frequent headaches, it’s important to find natural and effective treatment options. It’s important to avoid taking herbal supplements to treat a headache unless you’ve checked with a healthcare professional first to ensure the supplements are safe for you. Many herbal supplements can interfere with common medications and aren’t safe for everyone (68).
Sometimes, food intolerances may be the underlying cause of symptoms such as a headache. Other potentially calming teas include herbs such as peppermint, chamomile, and lavender. Herbal tea may be a useful way to add water to the diet while enjoying the benefits of other natural compounds. Staying hydrated may be as simple as carrying and sipping a water bottle throughout the day. Eating foods high in liquid, such as fruits, smoothies, or soups, may also improve hydration. Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.