15 Herbal Remedies For Headaches

Headache is a very common disease and can happen to anybody irrespective of gender and age. There are different types of headaches. While some are not severe others can have serious impact.

Tension headache, migraine headache and cluster headache are some of the major types of headaches out of which tension headache is very common. Tension headaches are caused by constriction of blood vessels. Migraine headache leads to problems like nausea, light sensitivity and vomiting etc. and cluster headache is repetitive and remains for a few weeks to even months. Headaches may be caused by physiological changes occurring in brain, abnormality in neurons, genetic factors or habits of smoking and drinking alcohol etc.

There are other causes related to emotional problems, pregnancy, family and work problems, noise pollution etc. that can lead to headaches. There are a number of remedies available that can be helpful in the treatment of headaches. Though there are medicines available in the market but herbal remedies are comparatively very cheap and effective as well.

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15 Herbal Remedies For Headaches

Caraway Seeds

Caraway seeds can be roasted in a piece of cloth and inhaled. The smell of caraway seeds would provide relief from headache. Massage the forehead with black caraway oil. This oil can also be consumed as 1 teaspoon for 3 times per day before breakfast. This remedy would cure headache completely.

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Cloves

Make a paste of 3-4 cloves and apply on the forehead. It would help in treating headache. Add some cloves in black tea and drink. This tea contains caffeine which has anti-inflammatory properties that help in the treatment of headache. 3 gm of cloves added in 10 ml of cinnamon oil can be applied over the forehead. This is also a good herbal remedy for curing headache.

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Apple

Peel and cut apples into pieces. Add salt over these pieces. Eat these apples in the morning for a week. For those who suffer from chronic headaches, this remedy is effective. Apples contain flavonoids that are also helpful in lowering blood pressure.

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Tulsi

Tulsi is one of the best medicinal herbs for most of the diseases. Mix 10-15 leaves of tulsi with 5-6 peppercorns and a half piece of ginger. Keep this mixture in an air tight bottle. Add 2 pinches of this powdered mixture in warm water and drink whenever headache starts.

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Rosemary Oil

Rosemary oil is helpful in curing headache. Apply this oil on the head and do massage to get relief. Rosemary can be combined with juniper oil and can be messaged over the neck and shoulders to get relief from pain. Drinking tea prepared from rosemary by adding the herb in boiling water and soaking it for 10 minutes is effective for curing headache.

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Peppermint Oil

Inhale the steam produced from peppermint oil to get relief from headache. Tea prepared from peppermint is also useful for curing headaches. It can also be applied on the forehead in the form of lotion for massaging.

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Ginger

Add 1 tablespoon of ginger powder in water contained in pan. Heat the pan and apply the warm liquid over the head. Keep it for 15 minutes to get relaxation from headache. Ginger is very effective in curing migraine headaches.

A paste can be prepared from ginger powder and water which can be applied over the forehead to cure headache. There may be burning sensation but it is a very effective remedy. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and can be taken in the form of capsules. It also helps in controlling nausea.

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Vinegar

Dip the towel in white vinegar for 2 minutes, extract out the excess vinegar from it and apply over the head and eyes for 15 minutes. Repeat this remedy for every 2 hours and the headache is gone.

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Coriander Seeds

Put coriander seeds in water and boil the mixture. Inhale the steam produced out of it. It would be beneficial for those suffering from sinus headaches.

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Lavender Oil

Lavender Oil can be applied over the forehead or at the tip of nose. Do massage for a while and it would provide relaxation and relief from pain occurring from tension headache. Lavender in combination with lemon balm and skull cap can be used in preparing herbal tea. This tea reduces headache and irritation.

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Chamomile

A chamomile bath would be beneficial for curing the pain caused by headache. Drinking tea prepared from chamomile is also effective in curing headache.

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Valerian

Tea can be prepared from valerian root which is good for persons affected with headache. It can be consumed in the form of capsule supplement.

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Butterbur

This medicinal herb is used to treat migraine headache. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in proper flow of blood in the brain. It is available in the form of capsules. 50-100 mg of butterbur can be consumed for two times in a day for the treatment of migraine and for preventing the symptoms in the future.

But one should always consult the doctor before its consumption. Butterbur is a perennial herb that contains petasin which is effective in treating and preventing migraine. Leaves, roots and bulbs of this plant are used for medicinal purposes.

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Ginkgo

It provides relief from the pain associated with headache. It helps in increasing the blood flow in the brain and also increases the oxygen levels. Ginkgo has anti-inflammatory properties and is useful in stimulating the release of norepinephrine which can cause headache if it gets decreased.

It also prevents hypoxia in which brain tissue gets affected. Ginkgo contains terpenoids and flavonoids that are useful antioxidants that prevent the body cells from getting damaged by free radicals. Ginkgo can be consumed in the form of capsules, tablets and ointments.

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Cayenne Powder

Cayenne contains a large amount of capsaicin which helps in relieving pain caused by headache. It provides the requisite heat for curing the headache. One fourth of cayenne powder can be added in 4 ounces of water and then the solution can be used with the help of cotton balls.

Apply the inside the nostrils that would relax the nose and also be useful in curing headache. This herbal remedy is helpful in the treatment of cluster headache but should be used under the supervision of a healthcare practitioner.