Home Remedies for Headache

Home Remedies for Headache

by: Arlene Gentallan

          Headache is among the most common form of physical pain. It can be caused by myriad of factors such as stress, sleep deprivation, sinusitis, toothache, and "brain freeze." Pain severity may vary from mild discomfort to severe unbearable pain that interferes with daily activities.

          Alternative and natural kitchen remedies are gaining popularity because they are cost effective and avoid the many side effects obtained from OTC and prescription drugs. Here some alternative home remedies to ease your headache:



1. Oregano essential oil

Oregano is naturally high in carvacrol content which relieves pain and inflammation.

Carvacrol is known to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2, an enzyme important for the production of prostaglandin to promote inflammation and pain. Carvacrol blocks this enzyme in the same ways as NSAIDs like mefenamic acid and ibuprofen do.

To relieve headache using oregano oil:

• Simply put 1-2 drops of oregano essential oil to your temple, forehead or between your eyebrows
• You may also sniff it's aroma to ease clogged nose or sinusitis.
• Note: Just be careful, oregano essential oil is quite strong so you won't want to have this in contact with your eyes.

Oregano Tea

Fresh wild oregano leaves can make a strong tea that can soothe your headache. But you may also use dried leaves.

How to make an oregano tea?

          Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 3-5 pieces fresh leaves or 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves 
• 1 teaspoon honey or lime

          Instruction:

1. Put 1 cup of boiling water in a mug
2. Put 1 tsp fresh or dried leaves into the mug
3. Cover the cup and simmer for 5-10 minutes
4. Strain, cool, sip and enjoy
5. You may also add a teaspoon of honey or lime for flavor

2. Essential Oils

Carvacrol, the cox-2 inhibitor component of oregano, is also found in other herbs such as clove, eucalyptus, fennel, pepperwort, rose, thyme, wild bergamot.

As an alternative to oregano, you may use topical and aromatic application of the following essential oils:

• Bergamot oil
• Eucalyptus oil
• Thyme oil

3. Ginger

In a study by Maghbooli M, Golipour F, Moghimi Esfandabadi, et al, it was shown that ginger powder's efficacy in relieving migraine attack is similar to the medication sumatriptan but with considerably less side effect.

Ginger can relieve symptoms of nausea and vomiting that commonly comes with migraine. Enjoy a refreshing ginger tea made by boiling fresh ginger roots in water.

How to make a ginger tea?

        Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 inch size ginger or 1 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 teaspoon honey or lime

       Instruction:

1. Boil 1 cup of water
2. Peel and finely chop a 1 inch size ginger
3. You may also use 1 tsp ginger powder instead
4. Put ginger in the water and simmer for 15 minutes
5. Strain, cool, sip and enjoy
6. You may add a teaspoon of honey or lime for flavor

Ginger Paste

You may also use ginger paste to relieve headache by topical application directly into your forehead. To make a ginger paste, just add ginger powder into warm water, enough to make a smooth paste.

Sniffing the aroma of ginger tea will also help ease your headache.



4. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper contains an active ingredient called "capsaicin" which relives pain by decreasing "substance P" which is involve in the transmission of pain signal.

How to make a ginger tea?

        Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tsp cayenne powder or freshly chopped cayenne pepper

        Instruction:

1. Place 1 tsp fresh or powdered cayenne pepper into a cup of warm water.
2. It's spicy so you may want hold your breath while you swallow.
3. But it will definitely make your headache better.

You can also make a cream out of cayenne pepper as a topical remedy for your headache.



5. Peppermint

With the mentol content of peppermint, it helps relieve muscle tension and soothes the nerves. To relieve headache using peppermint:

• Apply 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil into your forehead and temple.
• Sniff the fresh minty aroma of peppermint. You can smell it's tea or crushed leaves.
• Sip a warm cup of peppermint tea.

How to make peppermint tea?

        Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon dried or fresh peppermint leaves
• 1 teaspoon honey or lime

       Instruction:

1. Put 1 cup boiling water in a mug
2. Add 1 tbsp dried or fresh peppermint leaves
3. Cover mug with saucer and steep for 5-10 minutes
4. You may add a teaspoon of honey or lime for flavor
5. Strain, cool, sip and enjoy

6. Lavender essential oil

Lavender has a calming effect to the body. It is a natural sedative. To obtain relief from headache:

• Apply 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil into your forehead and temple.
• Ease your nerves with lavender aroma therapy. Simply add a few drops of lavender oil into boiling water and inhale it.
• Warning: Do not swallow lavender oil, it's poisonous.

7. Rosemarry

Rosemarry can ease anxiety and stress which commonly causes headaches. It reduces the cortisol level in the body and stimulates your nerves.

You can apply rosemarry oil topically into your forehead or enjoy it as a relaxing aromatherapy.

You can also make a rosemarry tea. Here's how to make a rosemarry tea?

        Ingredients:

• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 tsp fresh rosemarry leaves or powder
• 1 tsp honey or sugar

        Instruction:

1. Place 1 tsp fresh or powdered rosemarry in a mug.
2. Pour 1 cup of boiling water.
3. Let it steep for 5-10 minutes
4. You may add honey or sugar as desired
5. Drink and enjoy

8. Feverfew

Feverfew contains "parthenolides." It is use both for the prevention and relief of migraine type headache. 


How to make a feverfew tea?

        Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon fresh or dried feverfew leaves
• 1 teaspoon honey or lime

        Instruction:

1. Boil 1 cup of water
2. Put 1 tsp feverfew leaves in the water
3. Simmer for 15 minutes
4. You may add a teaspoon of honey or lime for flavor
5. Strain, cool, sip and enjoy