Key Points at a Glance
- Everyone gets headaches sometimes—some people more often, others less often.
- The causes of headaches can be incredibly varied. Even if you wanted to, you could never list them all.
- The fact is, however, that for some conditions, headaches are merely a symptom. In these cases, it is important to treat the underlying condition.
- However, you can effectively treat so-called tension headaches and migraines with home remedies.
Headaches—we’re all familiar with them. For some of us, they’re a constant companion, such as when we suffer from migraines that occur at regular intervals. Tension headaches also occur frequently, often caused by poor posture, stress, weather changes, excessive alcohol consumption, environmental toxins, or lack of sleep. These so-called primary headaches can usually be treated effectively.
Treatment is effective only for primary headaches
However, for those who suffer from secondary headaches, the headache is merely a symptom of the underlying condition. This could be, for example, a feverish cold or the flu, high blood pressure, or an infection of the meninges or sinuses. In such cases, the underlying condition must be treated.
Primary headaches are not caused by an underlying illness and can therefore be managed with pain relievers. However, regularly taking aspirin, ibuprofen, and similar medications isn’t exactly healthy and, in the worst case, can even lead to psychological and physical dependence. Those who take higher doses of these medications risk damaging their stomach and kidneys, and the effects can certainly be long-term. Under no circumstances should you take different pain relievers at the same time.
Home Remedies for Headaches—Unfairly Ridiculed
Of course, conventional medicine is an absolute constant when it comes to diagnoses and treatments of any kind. However, this is no reason to dismiss so-called home remedies; after all, these practices have often been passed down through many generations. For example, compresses applied to the neck, forehead, or temples can be quite effective—especially when soaked in horseradish or onion juice.
The Kneipp therapy has a more preventive effect. With cold water dousing, calf wraps, foot baths with alternating temperatures, and similar treatments, you can effectively train your blood vessels and improve blood circulation, which helps prevent headaches.
Essential oils are good for headaches
The effectiveness of essential oils is undisputed. Peppermint oil and lavender oil are particularly helpful for headaches. Massaging these extracts into your temples or forehead relieves pain—this has even been scientifically proven. Be careful, though, not to let the oil get into your eyes.
Many people swear by a 15-minute foot bath with mustard flour (six liters of water, 20 grams of black mustard flour). Afterward, dry your feet and legs thoroughly, apply lotion, and then lie down for half an hour. Acupressure on certain points along the body’s “energy meridians” may also help in some cases. And sometimes, a nice warm bath is all it takes.
Tips for Internal Use to Relieve Headaches
Whether taken as a tablet or as tea, feverfew is said to be very effective for headaches. Speaking of tea: There are plenty of varieties that have been proven to help with headaches, whether it’s cowslip, rosemary, lemon balm, or valerian. You can even make your own tea for headaches using freshly grated ginger root.
While its taste may be a bit questionable, a cup of coffee with lemon juice has become established as a remedy that works immediately. However, you shouldn't have more than that, because heavy coffee consumption can actually trigger headaches.
