A headache is defined as pain in any region of the head. One may have a headache on one or both sides of the head. The pain can be mild or chronic in nature. Headaches are one of the most common health problems that affect most people at one time or another.
According to the World Health Organization, almost half of all adults experience a headache in any given year.(1)
Contents
Causes
Headache causes are divided into two types:
Primary causes:
A headache occurs due to an underlying process in the brain and can be further divided into three main categories:
- A migraine with or without aura
- Cluster
- Tension headaches
Secondary causes:
The headache occurs due to an underlying medical condition.
Some of the medical condition include:
- Brain tumor or a brain aneurysm
- Pain from the cervical neck
- Medication overuse headache
- A meningitis-related headache
- A post-traumatic headache
- A sinus headache
- A spinal headache
- Hypertension
- Low blood sugar
Some other causes of a headache are:
- Genetics
- Excessive smoking
- Excessive drinking
- Lack of water in the body
- Oversleeping
- Poor sleep quality
- Overuse of painkillers
- Eye strain
- Neck strain
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Concussion
- Glaucoma
- Teeth-grinding at night
- Influenza
Signs and Symptoms
As a headache is divided into different types, the signs and symptoms also vary a lot.
Tension headache signs and symptoms include:
- Dull and aching pain
- Stiffness around the neck and shoulder area
- Tenderness in the scalp
- Tightness or pressure across the forehead
Cluster headache signs and symptoms include:
- Pain behind the eyes
- One-sided pain that usually lasts for 30–90 minutes
Migraine headache signs and symptoms include:
- Pulsating feeling in the head
- Pain on one side of the head
- Increased sensitivity to sound and light
- Nausea and vomiting
- Possibly aura (flashes of light prior to a headache)
Rebound headache signs and symptoms include:
- Pain in the head, especially in the morning
- Increased irritability
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Trouble remembering important details
Thunderclap headache signs and symptoms include:
- Intense head pain that is short in duration
- Nausea and vomiting
When to See a Doctor
As frequent headaches can be a symptom of a serious health condition, it is recommended to see a doctor. A proper diagnosis will help rule out the possibility of a serious health problem.
Also, see a doctor if you experience a sudden, severe headache or a headache accompanied by symptoms such as:
- Confusion
- Fainting
- High fever
- Numbness
- Stiff neck
- Trouble seeing, speaking or walking
People often use over-the-counter medicines or prescription painkillers to get relief from headaches. But there are many natural remedies that can treat your headache quickly and easily.
Here are the top 10 ways to relieve a headache naturally.
1. Water Intake
Inadequate hydration is linked to headaches.(2) A 2015 study published in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice reports that chronic mild dehydration may trigger a headache and increased water intake can help in reducing the pain.(3)
Hence, if you suffer from dehydration and having a bad headache, then the first thing you need to do is drink some water. Continue taking small sips of water, coconut water, or ORS (oral rehydration solution) throughout the day.
Along with water, you can eat water-rich fruits and vegetables. When suffering from a headache, stay away from drinks such as alcohol, carbonated drinks, and caffeinated beverages as these can dehydrate your body.
2. Ice Pack
Using an ice pack is an inexpensive and effective way of dealing with a sudden-onset headache. The cold from ice helps to reduce inflammation that contributes to headaches. Plus, it has a numbing effect on the pain. It is especially good for a migraine-related headache according to a 2006 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.(4)
A 2013 study published in the Hawaii Journal of Medicine & Public Health reports that the application of a frozen neck wrap at the onset of a migraine headache can help in reducing the pain significantly.(5)
- Wrap some ice cubes in a washcloth and apply it to the back of your neck to get relief from a migraine headache.
- You can also place a washcloth dipped in ice-cold water over your head for five minutes.
- Repeat the process several times.
Alternatively, you can use a bag of frozen vegetables as a cold compress. Within half an hour, you will feel some relief.
3. Heat Therapy
If you are having a headache due to too much stress or tension in life, try heat therapy. It has been found that applying a heating pad to your neck and shoulders can help relax the muscles, and this, in turn, reduces the pain.(6)
Heat relaxes tense muscles, thus alleviating the throbbing pain.
- Wrap a hot water bag in a washcloth and apply it to the back of your neck for 10–15 minutes. If needed, repeat the application.
- You can also take a hot shower directing the water onto the back of your neck.
- After the shower, close the lights of your bedroom and try to sleep.
4. Ginger
Ginger can help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, thus providing relief from a headache. It has been found that ginger may exert abortive and prophylactic effects in a migraine headache without causing any side effects.(7)
A 2014 study published in Phytotherapy Research found that ginger powder was equally effective in the treatment of common migraine attacks as compared with sumatriptan (conventional medication used to treat migraine pains has a better side effect profile than sumatriptan).(8)
- Mix equal parts of ginger juice and lemon juice. Consume it once or twice a day.
- Another option is to apply a paste of 1 teaspoon of dry ginger powder and 2 tablespoons of water on the forehead for a few minutes.
- You can also boil ginger powder or raw ginger in water and inhale the vapor.
- Chew one or two pieces of crystallized ginger candy.
5. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint contains menthol that helps open up clogged blood vessels that cause headaches. It also has an analgesic effect that aids in the reduction of headaches. According to a 1994 study published in Cephalalgia, peppermint oil, when applied on the temples and forehead, reduces pain sensitivity and relaxes the muscles.(9)
A 2016 study found that solutions of 10% peppermint oil in ethanol are effective in the treatment of tension-type headaches in adults and children above 6 years.(10)
- Mix 3 drops of peppermint essential oil in 1 tablespoon of almond oil, olive oil, or just water. Massage your forehead and temples with it. You can also put crushed fresh peppermint leaves on your forehead.
- Alternatively, you can prepare a steam treatment by adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a small pot of boiling water. Inhale the steam for a few minutes.
6. Lavender Oil
Simply smelling the soothing scent of lavender essential oil can be of great help in relieving tension headaches. According to a 2013 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, lavender oil possesses analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.(11)
Research suggests that it can also help improve migraine symptoms. In a 2012 study published in the European Neurology Aromatherapy, researchers found that using lavender essential oil is highly effective in treating migraine headache.(12)
- Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a tissue and smell it. You can also add 2 drops of lavender oil to 2 cups of boiling water and inhale the steam.
- Another option is to mix 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil, such as almond oil or olive oil, and massage your forehead with it.
7. Rosemary
The rosmarinic acid in rosemary oil has soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that help treat a headache. According to a 2013 study published in Food Chemistry, rosemary has been used as medicine to treat headaches owing to its anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.(13)
In a 2010 study published in the Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science, it was found that a combination of rosemary, basil, lavender, and rose essential oils significantly reduced headaches and anxiety in the subjects.(14)
- Simply massage your forehead and temples with a few drops of rosemary oil mixed with 1 tablespoon of carrier oil.
- Alternatively, make an herbal tea by boiling 1 teaspoon of crushed rosemary leaves and 1 teaspoon of crushed sage leaves in a cup of water. Cover it while boiling and then let it steep for 10 minutes. Let the tea cool to room temperature, and then drink it.
- You can have this herbal tea two to three times a day. If both the herbs are not available, you can make the tea with either of the herbs alone.
8. Acupressure
Acupressure is one of the most popular forms of Chinese medicine. In this technique, a pressure is applied with the fingers and hands to specific acupoints in the body. This helps reduce pain and other symptoms.
According to a 2014 study published in Pain Management Nursing, acupressure is an effective alternative therapy for people in pain from a chronic headache and other traumatic pains.(15)
A 2010 study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine suggests that a month of acupressure treatment is effective in reducing chronic headache as compared with muscle relaxant treatment for a month. In this study, trigger points BL2, GV20, GB20, TH21, and GB5 were used most commonly.(16)
For acupressure, it is recommended to get it done by or learn from an expert to reap the benefits.
9. Magnesium
If you are a migraine patient, adding magnesium to your diet can be effective in dealing with frequent headaches. Magnesium deficiency has been linked to headaches and migraines. In fact, a 2015 study published in Nutrients reports that low levels of magnesium have been associated with a number of chronic diseases, including a migraine.(17)
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Neural Transmission reports that magnesium deficiency may be present in up to half of migraine patients, and magnesium intake can help.(18)
- To ensure your body has enough magnesium, eat foods rich in this mineral, such as almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, oatmeal, eggs, and milk.
- Consult your doctor first when taking a supplement as magnesium can be dangerous if taken without supervision. In some people, magnesium supplements can cause digestive side effects such as diarrhea.
10. Physical Activity
Another simple yet highly effective way to deal with headaches is to exercise on daily basis. Being physically active can help reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
In a 2011 study, it was concluded that exercise can be an option for some preventative treatment of a migraine in patients, especially those who do not benefit from or do not wish to take medicines on a daily basis.(19)
Another 2013 study published in Current Pain and Headache Reports, mentions the positive impact of exercise on migraine management.(20)
When it comes to physical activity, 30 minutes of brisk walking or jogging can help a lot. Also, you can opt for cycling, swimming, yoga, or aerobics.
Additional Tips
- You can extract mint juice from a handful of mint leaves and apply it on your forehead and temples to treat a headache.
- Put three or four fresh basil leaves in a cup of boiling water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Add a little honey (optional) and then sip the tea slowly.
- Chewing some fresh basil leaves or massaging your forehead with basil oil mixed with some base oil can also help a lot.
- Both apples and apple cider vinegar can provide relief from headaches.
- Practicing meditation can also help reduce the frequency of headaches and improve pain tolerance.
- If you have the habit of grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw, try to wear a mouth guard at night.
- Eat at regular intervals to prevent drops in blood sugar, which can result in headaches.
- Have a cup of strong coffee when suffering from a headache as caffeine reduces Bloodvessel swelling.
- Alcohol can trigger migraines; hence, it is advisable to limit alcoholic drinks.
- Sleep deprivation can cause headaches in some people; hence try to get 6–7 hours of sleep daily.
Resources:
- Headache disorders. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders.
- Triggers of a migraine and tension-type headache. Triggers of a migraine and tension-type headache – ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0072975210970127. Published September 3, 2010.
- Price A, Burls A. Increased water intake to reduce a headache: learning from a critical appraisal. Journal of evaluation in clinical practice. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26200171. Published December 2015.
- Ucler S, Coskun O, Inan LE, Kanatli Y. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1697736/. Published December 2006.
- Sprouse-Blum AS, Gabriel AK, Brown JP, Yee MHC. Hawai’i Journal of Medicine & Public Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3727573/. Published July 2013.
- Harvard Health Publishing. 4 ways to tame tension headaches. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/4-ways-to-tame-tension-headaches.
- Mustafa T, Srivastava KC. Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) in a migraine headache. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2214812. Published July 1990.
- Maghbooli M, Golipour F, Moghimi A, Yousefi M. Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of a common migraine. Phytotherapy research: PTR. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23657930. Published March 2014.
- Göbel H, Schmidt G, Soyka D. Effect of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parameters. Cephalalgia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7954745. Published June 1994.
- Göbel H, Heinze A, Heinze-Kuhn K, Göbel A, Göbel C. [Peppermint oil in the acute treatment of a tension-type headache]. Schmerz (Berlin, Germany). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27106030. Published June 2016.
- Koulivand PH, Ghadiri MK, Gorji A. Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine: eCAM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/. Published 2013.
- Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M. Lavender essential oil in the treatment of a migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. European neurology. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22517298. Published 2012.
- Suppression of LPS-induced inflammatory activities by Rosmarinus officinalis L. Food Chemistry. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814612013817. Published September 12, 2012.
- Jung-Hee, Kim, Hee-Seung. Effects of Aromatherapy in blending oil of Basil, Lavender, Rosemary, and Rose on Headache, Anxiety, and Serum Cortisol level in the Middle-Aged Women. Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science. http://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/ArticleFullRecord.jsp?cn=GCJOBO_2010_v12n3_133. Publsihed 2010.
- Chen YW, Wang HH. The effectiveness of acupressure on relieving pain: a systematic review. Pain management nursing: official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23415783. Published June 2014.
- Hsieh LL, Liou HH, Lee LH, Chen TH, Yen AM. Effect of acupressure and trigger points in treating headache: a randomized controlled trial. The American journal of Chinese medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20128040. Published2010.
- Gröber U, Schmidt J, Kisters K. Nutrients. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586582/. Published September 2015.
- Mauskop A, Varughese J. Why all migraine patients should be treated with magnesium. SpringerLink. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00702-012-0790-2. Published March 18, 2012.
- Varkey E, Cider Å, Carlsson J, Linde M. Cephalalgia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3236524/. Published October 2011.
- Ahn AH. Current pain and headache reports. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3942090/. Published December 2013.
nice remedies…i vil try them
Will definitely try the remedies. I’m getting headaches everyday but not severe
Very good remedies ! Will try to remember for my use and benefit of others too….
nice one i love these remedies
I applied clove oil and I also have lite “apple cinnamon” incense sticks for aroma, hope it would work, thanks
try putting your head over hot steam too, it takes away all of my headaches.
What if you have a cold and you feel a little sick to your stomach? Will it still work? And is severe are your headaches?
I think it’s a really good idea thanks? I been looking all over for remedies for headaches?thanks!!?
I am 10 years but my head pains this remedy works
I LOVE this remedy
Please give needfull suggestion
i love this remedy especially #10 Apple
Thanks for your remedies…. its help for me…
nice one i love these remedies… nice sharing..
Very good remedies ! Will try to remember for my use and benefit of others too.. Thanks for your post..
Fresh basil actually causes me to get migraines. I get two kinds of migraines: Ocular migraines and common migraines. Neither one are fun.
Allhamdulillah….All the remedies work.Thanks for your good efforts for providing this valuable information regarding the valuable aset health.Health is wealth.ALL HEALTH TIPS here are very useful.All the best n keep it up.GOD BLESS:)
thanks for remedies i’ll try them espclly for migrain headache,gas nd heartburn.
I love your remadies.
Medicine is cheaper than fruits here. What gives ? Smh
i lv these remedies…………..want more needful remedied…………
This helps me a lot thanx for this ideas
Very beneficial remedies …One should try
Helped ma get a full relaxation wit ur remedies … Thank u very much
I like this page t help than using tablets.
Good remidies and it is much usefull for those suffering from headache
These remedies are very helpful for everyone.I tried one of these and get quick relief from headche
Thanks For Your Home Remedies I Will Definitely Try One Of your Remedy Because I Have A Migraine Problem. So I will try your Remedy.
Very good remedies
Ty for the information will definitely try these remedies.
Thanks for these remedies, hope it will works on what I encounter as of the moment. I suffered almost 5 days pain at the right back portion of my head down to my ears. And I observed also a little bit hard to swallow and drink because above my tongue/throat its aching also. I tried to drink ibuprofen but no changes at all. Can you please share or comment what’s the best remedy for this or what particular symptoms it is? Thanks a lot, and hoping for all replies through my email. GOD BLESS!
NiXe remedies..
use icepack one remedy!! It may help you 🙂
My mother always suffers from headache!! thanks for such home remedies 🙂 This seems to be really helpful 🙂
Thank you for your tips.i have try it
Thank u for ur tips
I suffer alot with bad headaches. Bad headaches has being in my family for generations. Almost very day and night I have it. I wake up with it and sleep with it. Sometimes I have it for days and nights. Went to the doctor can find anything wrong. I sometimes go crazy with the pain. I don’t know what to do anymore. But I will try this home remedies. I pray it does work.
Belinda,
There are periods of times that I get a terrible headache that lasts for weeks.
I have seen many doctors, had several MRI s. I have tried migraine medications and had side effects and headache still there. This is the first time that I will try ginger, feverfew , and magnesium supplements. Belinda, we cannot give up.
I hope that our headaches will go away.
I like update me my email.
Hi people, I too used to suffer from severe headaches quite often. Then someone suggested drinking lime juice mixed with water daily. It has worked wonders for me and I rarely get them now. Take care everyone.
I love this piece… Nature’s truly wonderful
When I get a headache, I like to eat a whole ripe tomatoe. I find it provides headache relief within 1 to 2 minutes. It also relieves muscle soreness. I think there must be some endorphines in the tomatoe that relieve pain throughout the body. I have had headaches that Tylenol and Ibuprofen wont touch but a tomatoe works great. Try to pick a fresh red ripe tomotoe. Eat like an apple or slice it up and add salt and pepper or a little vinegar. Very tasty and refreshing on a hot day too.
Very nice article. ….
Really useful article
For migraine, get 1 clove of garlic and pound it with a little amount of water and pour its water into the nostril with in 2 seconds. The nostril shall be facing upward and the eyes facing the sky. Garlic also was said to be an excellent treatment for brain tumor/cancer.
I love this remedies thank u
Nice . I will try it and it is useful for my assignment
I have a stuffed up nose so and my headache is really bad but I’m getting hopeful.:)
I am defiantly going to to try these remedies from now onwards. Thanks so much.
Thank u for tips to recover headache..
Thanx for your tips I’m recovering now
I was suffering from severe headache from morning.just read this one and tried #1, ginger and lemon.. in less than 10 minutes I felt relaxed. And followed steam as well.. wow.. within few seconds it made wonders..thanks so much. It’s my own experience.
Thank you so much my friend was in a lot of pain on his last day of school he is now cured for life
sorry cuntry
cheers bruvva boi
I also heard that nuts and certain teas help…
Hello guyz, Hi people, I too used to suffer from severe headaches quite often. Then someone suggested drinking lime juice mixed with water daily. It has worked wonders for me and I rarely get them now. Take care everyone.
People Thanks for the tips I am going to use these home remedies
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TIPS TO RECOVERING HEAD AC
Great discoveries. This gonna be helpful.