I have suffered from headaches my entire life. Migraines, tension headaches, sinus headaches, you name it, I get them. Over the past year or so, I have been on a quest to find reliable, natural headache relief. I hate popping pills everytime I get a headache, which, in the past has been almost daily.
I am a firm believer that most illnesses can be treated and/or prevented with proper diet. I believe that food is medicine, and illness is a red flag telling you that you are not eating properly. Many conditions are caused by a vitamin or mineral deficiency that can be remedied by changing what you’re eating.
I have also studied herbal medicine for many years, and have experienced amazing first-hand results. I love plant medicine and using essential oils for health and wellness as well as around my home.
So, when I began looking for natural headache relief, of course, I started by looking into diet changes, herbal remedies, and essential oils. I tried a lot of different things, but there were a few things that stood out as giving amazing results. Here’s what I found to be most effective, why it works, and how to use it!
Magnesium For Natural Headache Relief
Headaches are often linked to low magnesium levels. If you are experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle cramping, tingling, and muscle contractions or spasms along with the headaches, it is possible that low magnesium levels are the cause. Increasing your magnesium intake has other benefits as well. It can improve bone health, stabilize blood pressure, and help maintain a healthy heart rhythm and nerve function.
As always, I recommend making changes in your diet before turning to a supplement. Getting nutrients from your diet is almost always the better choice because the body can usually absorb them better. Start by eating magnesium-rich foods like dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, romaine, and chard. Other sources include seeds, nuts, beans, broccoli, squash, and chocolate.
Be sure to consult with your doctor before turning to magnesium supplements. They are considered to be safe for most people, however, people with some health conditions or those taking certain prescription medications should not take them.
There are several different types of magnesium, but when it comes to treating headaches, the type you want is magnesium oxide. It is recommended to take 400-500 milligrams per day, in pill form to reduce the frequency and severity of headaches.
I had good results by increasing magnesium-rich foods and did not feel that I needed to add a supplement.
Using Essential Oils For Natural Headache Relief
When using essential oils for headache relief, they can be used directly on the skin or you can use them in a diffuser. When applying to the skin, put them in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and rub them into the forehead, temples, and neck.
There is a product that I can’t live without called Two Old Goats Essential Oil Lotion. It contains all four of the essential oils listed below plus chamomile and birch bark in and almond oil base. I love this product, not only for relieving headaches but for arthritis and general aches and pains as well.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil can soothe muscle contractions and increase blood flow to the forehead when applied to the forehead and temples. It is also cooling to the skin.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is used as a mood stabilizer, mild sedative, and a calming agent. It can be applied to the neck and temples to relieve migraines and tension headaches. You can also add 5-10 drops of lavender oil to your bath to relieve tension headaches, reduce stress, and induce restful sleep.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus essential oil is especially effective for sinus headaches because it opens up the nasal passages and relieves sinus pressure. It can also have a pain-relieving and relaxing effect on those suffering from tension headaches.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary essential oil is known to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. It can also reduce stress, improve alertness, and reduce muscle spasms. It can be an effective treatment for migraines and tension headaches.
It is important to do your research before using essential oils. Some can cause irritation if applied directly to the skin without diluting in a carrier oil. They may also interact poorly with some prescription medications.
My headaches are much less frequent now, but I do still get them. When I do, I use the essential oils to help relieve the symptoms, and for me, it’s a lifesaver!
Using Feverfew Herb As A Natural Headache Remedy
Feverfew leaf can be used to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches and headache symptoms, including pain, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and noise, making it especially useful for migraine headaches.
You can drink it as a tea, take it in capsule form, or use the liquid extract. The recommended dosage is 500-1000 milligrams taken immediately upon noticing the beginning of migraine symptoms. Some folks even take it daily to help prevent headaches before they start.
Personally, I take 1000 milligrams of feverfew in capsule form the second I feel a headache coming on. I feel that it provides a huge amount of relief and that my headaches don’t last nearly as long.
You should always do your own research, but I do not know of any harmful side effects from taking feverfew.
Using B-Complex Vitamins For Natural Headache Relief
Many people are deficient in one or more B vitamins. Symptoms of deficiency can include energy slumps, foggy thinking and headache symptoms. There are eight B-vitamins including thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, biotin, and pantothenic acid. B-vitamins do a lot more than just help with headaches. These vitamins work together to improve brain cells, circulation, immune function, and cardiovascular health.
Foods rich in B-vitamins include wild-caught salmon, grass-fed beef, cottage cheese, eggs, lentils, split peas, black beans, and spinach. With your doctor’s approval, taking a B-complex supplement every day is a good idea, especially if you suffer from headaches, stress, or fatigue. B vitamins are water-soluble, so it’s difficult to get too much of them in your system.
I now make it a point to eat Vitamin-B rich foods often, and I take a supplement every day, too. I believe it has been fundamental in reducing the number of headaches I get, and I also have more energy.
Staying Hydrated Can Provide Natural Headache Relief
Most people simply don’t drink enough water, and that in itself can cause a serious headache. Things like coffee, caffeinated tea, and alcohol can further dehydrate the body and increase symptoms. If you are finding it difficult to concentrate, are feeling irritable, and have a killer headache, consider that dehydration may be the cause. Drink plenty of water and other clear liquids each day to stay hydrated and help prevent and relieve headaches.
I am outside, working in the hot sun, doing chores around the garden and homestead a lot. If I let myself get dehydrated, it triggers a headache every stinkin’ time! I now make it a point to stop and drink water often, and I always have my water bottle near-by.
There are so many different things that trigger headaches, and what works for me may not work for you. I encourage you to give these natural headache remedies a try and do your own research to find other things that might relieve your particular headaches. What have you got to lose? Besides your headaches!
Don’t miss this related post: Thyme, an Essential Culinary and Medicinal Herb
