Individuals suffering from tension headaches and migraines experience headache that is usually confined to one side of the head. The pain is throbbing and severe. The intensity of a headache is very high and this pain almost disables individual. The pain lasts for around four to 72 hours and gets worse and worse with the movement. Every individual suffering from a migraine displays varied symptoms. Some of them experience aura which a visualization of light, some develop sensitivity to light, many of them develop tingling sensation in their limbs and some of them have nausea and vomiting.
In the majority of cases, migraine is hereditary and is caused by certain changes in brain chemicals. There are many things that trigger a migraine like fatigue, specific food and weather conditions. Psychological stress is also one of the factors that can cause a migraine.
As a migraine is disabling and its frequency is the high regular dosage of painkillers may harm you in long run. Here are some home remedies that can cure your Migraine or provide symptomatic relief without any side effects.
1. Cloves Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Cloves contain methyl salicylate which is a natural painkiller. Cloves offer soothing effects.
How to use
• Crush cloves and keep in a sachet or keep it on a handkerchief and regularly smell this powder whenever you experience a headache.
• Alternatively, mix crushed cloves or clove oil with coconut oil
• Mix some sea salt into this mixture and apply it on your forehead and temples
2. Basil Leaves Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Basil is a scented herb with analgesic properties. Basil oil is a muscle relaxant and helps in relaxing headache caused due to a tension of muscles.
How to use
• Boil 2 or 3 basil leaves in water
• Add honey to this water and sip this mixture regularly
• You can also chew 2 or 3 basil leaves whenever you experience a headache
• Alternatively, you can also boil basil leaves and inhale vapors
3. Apple Cider Vinegar Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Apple cider vinegar restores acid-alkaline balance in the body.
How to use
• Take half cup of apple cider vinegar with half cup of water
• Boil this water in covered pan
• Cover your head with thick cloth or towel and inhale vapors. This will reduce a headache.
• If a headache is persistent then take 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar and mix it with one tablespoon of honey and lemon juice.
• Add the glass of water to this mixture and drink this 3-4 times a day.
4. Cinnamon Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Cinnamon is effective in treating headaches.
How to use
• Take few cinnamon sticks and grind them to make smooth powder
• Add some water to it and make paste
• Apply this paste to your forehead and leave it for at least 30 minutes
• Take rest for the time paste is being applied to your forehead
• Wash the area with lukewarm water
5. Thyme Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
How to use
• Apply two or more drops of thyme oil on each of your temple and forehead
• Gently massage your temple and forehead
• Sit quietly till the pain is relieved
6. Lavender Oil Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
How to use
• Add 2 drops of lavender oil to boiling water and inhale the steam.
• One more way to use lavender oil is to mix few drops of lavender oil with almond oil or olive oil and gently massage this mixture on your temples and forehead.
• Alternatively, you can also add lavender oil and peppermint oil to a tub of hot water and immerse your foot for 30 minutes in this bath.
• Hot water draws blood towards your feet and aroma of lavender will help you to relax
7. Peppermint Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
How to use
• Add 3 drops of peppermint oil to one teaspoon of almond oil
• Massage this mixture on the sides of your head towards the back of your neck and on your forehead as well.
• You can also make herbal tea by boiling mint leaves in 2 cups of boiling water
• Strain the water and add honey to this tea and sip it slowly
• Peppermint helps in opening up of clogged blood vessels. Menthol component of peppermint oil regulates blood circulation in the body
• This procedure can be used as and when you feel a headache
7. Ginger Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Ginger has a property to block prostaglandins. Prostaglandins promote muscle contractions, impact hormones and regulate inflammation in blood vessels in the brain.
How to use
Ginger can be used in much ways to combat migraine pain
• Take 2 tablespoon ginger juice
• Mix this juice with equal quantity of lemon juice
• Drink this juice at least 2 times of day to get relief from pain
• You can also make ginger tea by adding a lot of ginger to water and boiling the water for at least 5 minutes. Add sugar and milk and have this tea at least 3 times a day.
• For quick paint, relief takes 2 tablespoons of dry ginger powder and add water to it to make a smooth paste.
• Apply this paste to the forehead
• Ginger provides instant relief from a headache as it reduces inflammation of the blood vessels in the head
• It also aids in digestion, therefore, those suffering from nausea during a migraine can get relief from ginger
• Ensure that you consume ginger in above-mentioned form at the onset of a headache
8. Pepper Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Pepper stimulates circulation and improves blood flow. Plus, it contains capsaicin, a compound that works as a natural painkiller.
How to use
• Mix one-half to one teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of warm water.
• Add some lemon juice and honey
• Drink this as needed.
• Optionally black pepper can be added to your food as well
• But the amount of pepper consumption should be limited if it increases acidity then can further trigger a headache.
9. Chamomile Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and soothing properties that help relieve migraines. Regularly drinking chamomile tea can also help prevent the problem.
How to use
• Add two to three teaspoons of dried chamomile flowers in a cup of hot water
• Boil for a few minutes.
• Add some lemon juice and honey.
• Strain and drink this tea three or four times a day for relief from migraine symptoms.
10. Ice Pack Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Ice reduces the blood flow and spasms
How to use
• Take few ice cubes and wrap it in the plastic packet and apply to your temples, forehead and/or the back of your neck for 10 to 15 minutes
• Repeat the process till you get relief
• You can also try alternating hot and cold compresses for about 15 minutes, as needed.
• For better results, add lavender and/or peppermint essential oils to the water for the compress.
11. Nutmeg Remedy For Tension Headaches And Migraines:
Nutmeg has sleep-inducing properties that will relax your nerves help you fight insomnia associated with a migraine.
How to use
• Take 1/2 teas spoon of nutmeg powder
• Add few drops of water to this powder and apply this mixture on forehead
• Add nutmeg powder to one cup of lukewarm milk, add sugar to sweeten and consume this twice a day till you get relief.
Conclusion:
Different people experience different symptoms of a migraine. Therefore it important to understand your migraine and understand the activity, weather, food that triggers a migraine for you. Similarly, understand which of the above-mentioned therapy offers you maximum relief.
Make sure that you start using these remedies at the onset of the symptoms. Once the symptoms become severe the healing will take time and comfort level too decreases.
Do not ignore your migraine as its impact is not only limited to you but also people around you to gets impacted by your mood swings. Apart from this maintain a healthy diet regime. Eat healthily, and at regular intervals since a drop in blood sugar can set the stage for headaches. Be positive, think positive, do some stress release exercises, do meditation and yoga and finally take sufficient rest. Keeping your mind calm and cool will reduce the intensity of pain to a greater extent.