Headaches can be caused by a variety of conditions. Stress, tension, sinus congestion can all contribute to that throbbing pain in the temples and forehead. Migraines are severe headaches sometimes caused by light or certain foods. Even allergies can induce a migraine. While headaches are a minor inconvenience, migraines can be accompanies with flashes of light, nausea and impaired vision.
There are several natural ways to control headaches and migraines. Many of these remedies come down in folklore from hundreds of years ago. As with all natural remedies, allergies must be considered and if relief does not arrive within several hours, a physician should be consulted.
Headaches
A drop or two of lavender or rosemary oil rubbed into the temples can alleviate headache pain. Also 1 drop rosemary oil mixed with 1/2 glass distilled water taken internally can help. The following infusions or teas can also aid in relief:
One tablespoon fresh or 1 teaspoon dried catnip to 1 cup boiled water, steeped 10 minutes and covered with a sauce then strained.
One heaping teaspoon of dried chamomile flowers for each cup of boiling water steeped 10 minutes covered then strained. Allergy sufferers should be wary of this one since chamomile is a near relative of ragweed.
One cup fresh peppermint to 2 cups boiling water steeped 5 minutes covered and strained.
Migraines
Migraines may also be eased by rosemary and lavender oil. Another remedy is to place a handful of elderberries in 1 cup water. Mash with a hand potato masher and bring to a full rolling boil. Simmer for 10 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey or sugar and drink when a migraine is just beginning to make itself known. Mix equal parts cider vinegar and water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and place on a hot pad on a table. Take a bath towel and cover the head and the pan inhaling the mixture for a few minutes. Repeat as many times as can be tolerated. Some say that blowing hot air from a hand held hair drier on the head reduced pain from a migraine. An old Irish remedy is to cut a potato and place the cut part on the forehead while lying down for 15 minutes. A warm bath with lavender or peppermint oil will also help. The best remedy for migraines is to chew two feverfew leaves every day. This is a preventative and if stopped migraines will return. Fever few is extremely bitter and can cause mouth irritation and blisters. It is best to roll the leaves in a piece of bread in order to be consumed or a capsule containing 85 milligrams of leaf matter will do the trick. Feverfew has been known to cause stomach upset and is a menstruation promoter so do not use this if pregnant.
Headaches are one of life’s little inconveniences we can do without and no one wants to deal with a migraine. Try a natural remedy instead of reaching for a commercial pain reliever first. You may find natural substances will work just as well.
Deborah Harding - Deborah Harding has developed recipes, worked with herbs and written home school curriculum for over 20 years.
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