Do headaches ruin your day? Discover natural remedies to find relief!
If you have ever found yourself sidelined by the pounding or squeezing discomfort of a headache, you are not alone. Headaches come in a variety of shapes and sizes; from tension headaches that put a vise grip on your temples, to migraines that are a relentless cranial storm, to cluster headaches that cause pressure behind an eye, to sinus headaches that induce nauseating pressure between and behind the eyes, and even the throbbing discomfort of caffeine withdrawal headaches. While these headaches may vary in intensity and presentation, they all share one common thread: the quest for relief. However, it's crucial to understand that not all headaches can be treated with a simple herbal remedy. If ever a headache is sudden, severe, or accompanied by confusion, fainting, high fever, numbness, stiff neck, vision changes, trouble speaking or walking, or nausea, it's imperative to seek medical attention ASAP.
If possible, identify the root cause of your headache
Are you also experiencing a dry mouth and lightheadedness? Potentially you are dehydrated.
Are you also experiencing sluggishness and muscle cramps? You may be low on magnesium.
Are you finding yourself squinting a lot? Consider getting your vision checked.
Are you sneezing and have itching eyes? It may be that you are experiencing seasonal allergies.
Are you also experiencing tight shoulders and a tired back? Maybe you are spending too much time in front of a computer.
Do you experience the headache after certain foods? You may have a food sensitivity.
Herbs that can help
Catnip: A delightfully calming mint that helps to relax tense muscles. Catnip is a great choice when you have a headache near bedtime. Blend it with fennel if your headache is related to difficulty digesting a meal. It is advisable to avoid catnip during pregnancy.
Chamomile: This herbal superstar eases tension, aids digestion, and promotes sleep. If you tend to have headaches in the evening, try blending chamomile with catnip, lavender, and skullcap.
Feverfew: An old-school remedy for migraines and severe headaches. With its overt acrid bitter taste, it is best to use in small quantities and in blends. Feverfew should not be consumed if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Lemon balm: A wonderful ally to help calm nervous tension and relax strained muscles of the head and neck. With a lemony taste, it is a great addition to many tea recipes and can also be added to tinctures.
Skullcap: A wonderful herb for those who suffer from stress that leads to tension in the neck and shoulders. Skullcap can quiet an overactive mind and help you fall asleep. Blends well with passionflower, lavender, chamomile, and catnip.
Spearmint: A delightful, sweet mint that blends well with so many other herbs, and it offers a calming and relaxing effect. Personally, I use spearmint in a great many of my tea blends.
Willow bark: Contains salicylates which gives it its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving qualities. The tincture can be used orally or can be used topically for pain, inflammation, and tension. A willow bark tincture is a wonderful item to keep in your herbal apothecary.
Essential oils that can help
German Chamomile: This soothing oil, characterized by its blue hue derived from chamazulene, boasts anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, promoting muscle relaxation and overall calmness in the nervous system. For headache relief, consider blending German chamomile with lavender, patchouli, and frankincense.
Eucalyptus: Â Ideal for respiratory issues and mental fatigue, eucalyptus offers antimicrobial properties and targets the respiratory system, making it effective against sinus headaches. Exercise caution with children under 10 years old and individuals with asthma.
Frankincense: An ancient option for quieting the mind and quelling pain. Frankincense promotes deep relaxation while balancing emotions, making it a good choice for tension and stress-related headaches.
Lavender: A versatile aromatic powerhouse, lavender boasts calming and soothing properties, releasing stress and anxiety that contribute to tension headaches. Lavender essential oil is well-studied for its pain-relieving ability, whether used alone or in a blend. For frequent tension headaches, try a blend of lavender, frankincense, and rosemary in a carrier oil applied as a roll-on behind the ears and on the wrists.
Peppermint: A staple for sinus issues, peppermint not only calms tension but also aids digestion, opens airways, and relieves headaches. It blends harmoniously with rosemary, citrus oils, eucalyptus, and lavender. Exercise caution with young children and ensure low concentrations.
Rosemary: A wonderful choice for times of brain fog or mental sluggishness. Rosemary improves blood flow to the head while also acting as an analgesic and decongestant. Exercise caution with rosemary oils high in camphor content (rosemary ct camphor) around young children and pregnant women.
Spike lavender: Think of spike lavender as true lavender with a touch of camphor; spike lavender is stimulating and energizing whereas true lavender is calming and relaxing. Spike lavender is rich in 1,8-cineole, a component also found in eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary. Studies show that 1,8-cineole works as an airborne antimicrobial, decongestant and expectorant, improves cognition, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
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Recipes
Head Calming Tea or Tincture
1 part chamomile
1 part spearmint
1 part catnip
Use 2-3 tsp of this blend per 6-8 oz cup of hot water. Allow it to steep for at least 10 minutes. Add honey and lemon as you desire. If you find the tea to be helpful, you can use the same blend of herbs to make a tincture by filling a mason jar about half full with the herbs, then pour vodka over the herbs and within an inch of the top. Add the lid, label, and all to macerate for about 4 weeks.
Stop the Pounding Tea or Tincture
3 parts chamomile
2 parts lemon balm
1 part skullcap
1 part feverfew
Use about 2 tsp of this blend per 6-8 oz cup of hot water. Allow it to steep for at least 10 minutes. Add honey and lemon as you desire. If you find the tea to be helpful, you can use the same blend of herbs to make a tincture by filling a mason jar about half full with the herbs, then pour vodka over the herbs and within an inch of the top. Add the lid, label, and all to macerate for about 4 weeks.
Serenity Tea or Tincture
2 parts chamomile
2 parts lemon balm
1 part skullcap
Use 2-3 tsp of this blend per 6-8 oz cup of hot water. Allow it to steep for at least 10 minutes. Add honey and lemon as you desire. If you find the tea to be helpful, you can use the same blend of herbs to make a tincture by filling a mason jar about half full with the herbs, then pour vodka over the herbs and within an inch of the top. Add the lid, label, and all to macerate for about 4 weeks.
Stop the Sinus Pain Inhaler
4 drops of German chamomile
3 drops of lavender
2 drops of peppermint
2 drops of eucalyptus dives
Drop the essential oils onto the cotton wick, and place the wick into the inhaler. Snap on the cap to the bottom of the inhaler. To use, unscrew the inhaler cover, and inhale into each nostril. Use several times a day, as needed. Keep the cover on when not using it.
Head Relief Roll-On or Massage Blend
3 drops of frankincense
2 drops of spike lavender
1 drops of rosemary ct verbenone
1 fl oz of Trauma oil or jojoba oil
Blend the essential oils with the carrier oil. Use as a massage oil for the neck and shoulders, or add the blend to a 10ml roller bottle. To use a roller bottle, roll it onto the desired area of the skin. For instance, apply to the back of the neck and shoulders for a headache associated with a sore neck. Common application spots for headaches include wrists, neck, shoulders, upper chest, and behind the ears.
Calming Facial Steam
1 drop German chamomile or 1 Tbsp dried chamomile flowers
1 drop lavender or 1 Tbsp dried lavender flowers
Facial steaming is a relaxing way to open up airways, clear congestion, and ease head pain. Simply add the herbs or essential oils to just boiled water in a bowl, then sit comfortably with your head over the steam, covered with a towel to create a tent. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and relax in the steam for about 5-15 minutes for a soothing experience.
To bid headaches farewell, we need to get at the root cause of the headache. Sometimes it is difficult to root out the cause, so in the meantime, you are now equipped with some knowledge of herbal allies to turn to in your time of need. From the relaxing wonders of herbal teas to the soothing scents of essential oils, you now have an arsenal to fight against head pains.
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