20 Home Remedies for Headaches That Actually Work

Peppermint oil has been used for headaches for ages. Scientists aren’t really sure how it works, but it helps relax the muscles around your skull, which can cause major headaches. One study found that it can even alleviate nausea and vomiting from headaches. Keep in mind that it’s always best to dilute the oil before putting it directly on the skin. 

Studies have found that taking magnesium can help get rid of headaches, but taking a pill can be too much magnesium. Instead, munch on almonds. If you find this too painful, you can also eat spinach, but almonds have a much higher magnesium amount, and the fiber can help your body absorb it better than a pill.

Ginger is basically a superfood for your body. It can help relieve nausea, loss of appetite, and even help a headache. A study found that ginger powder can decrease the severity of a headache attack within two hours of use.

Let’s just admit that most of us don’t drink enough water. We’re chronically dehydrated, and it only gets worse the more coffee we drink. Sometimes, headache can be caused by not drinking enough water. Try to drink a couple of glasses and see if your headache doesn’t go away in a couple of hours.

Many headache sufferers find that taking a nap is the best defense against the pesky condition. They’re restorative and can even reduce the risk of a headache if you tend to get them later in the day. Make sure your nap is early enough that it doesn’t affect your normal sleep pattern.

Chamomile is a known anti-inflammatory and has soothing properties. Drinking a glass of chamomile tea can help stop and prevent headaches from even stopping. If you’re already suffering from a headache, it’s best not to add any sugar to your tea, as this could make the pain much worse. You’ll also get better effects using German chamomile (matricaria recutita).

Feverfew leaves are already a popular remedy for headaches, but it may be a little tough to find. If you do, you can make a tea out of a large leaf or three smaller ones. They taste a little bitter, so it may be best to brew it lightly at first. You also should avoid feverfew if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Additionally, feverfew may cause mouth ulcers and skin irritation in those who are allergic. 

Lavender oil is a mood stabilizer and sedative. For this reason, it can help relieve headaches that are associated with stress and tension. If you’re suffering from a headache, inhale the aroma of lavender essential oil for 15 minutes. You can also rub it on your forehead or temples, but be sure to dilute it first.

It may seem counterproductive, but caffeine can ease a headache. Excedrin and other medications often have caffeine as an active ingredient because it narrows your blood vessels and counters the dilation. This decreases the amount of throbbing you may experience during a headache.

Massaging your temples can help relax your body and the muscles in your skull. It helps prevent headaches from growing worse quickly by decreasing the amount of tension that’s throbbing your head. Gently put two fingers on your temples and massage them gently until the headache is gone.

In general, exercise is helpful for preventing headaches because it helps relieve stress. It can also help balance hormones, improve sleep quality, and decrease inflammation. However, make sure you don’t push yourself too hard. Too much exercise can worsen headaches. It’s important to track your symptoms to identify if exercising is a trigger.

Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acid can reduce inflammation as well. Healthy fishes like salmon and sardines can help control blood flow and decrease the risk of a headache attack. You can also try nuts and seeds to get your daily allowance of omega-3 fatty acids.

A small amount of capsaicin cream on the inside of your nostril can help block the signals that are sending pain to your brain. Capsaicin is an ingredient that’s found in a variety of pain-relieving ointments and can be found as a cream or even a nose spray. It’s frequently been used by those with arthritis to help blood flow.

Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, can be found in a variety of foods like beef liver and lamb. Studies have shown that it can help prevent headaches from occurring as long as you get your daily recommended value. While beef liver and lamb are the best sources, a cup of natural yogurt can also be a source of B2.

Putting an ice pack on your forehead, scalp, or neck can reduce the blood flow to your head. In turn, this can decrease the amount of swelling that your headache could have resulted from. You can try a frozen gel pack or a bag of frozen vegetables for about ten minutes. 

Yoga helps improve blood flow and reduce muscle tension which can help relieve symptoms of headaches. A 2014 study that compared headache treatment with and without the addition of yoga found that the group who participated in yoga had greater relief.

Meditation is a great source of stress relief, and we all know that stress can be a headache trigger. According to the American Migraine Foundation, mind-body techniques like meditation may can headaches by relieving underlying stresses.

No, we’re not saying to have a Butterbeer, we are talking the supplement butterbur. A daily dose of 150mg of butterbur for approximately three months can help to reduce headache frequency if you’re prone to getting them. Be sure to consult your physician first.

How much headache-causing light do we really come into contact with every day? Let us count the ways: Natural light from windows and being outside, lights overhead in the office, light from our cell phones, and light from our computer screens. May we suggest wearing sunglasses, hanging black-out curtains, adding anti-glare screens, and using fluorescent light bulbs to cut back on headaches?

Could your ponytail possibly be too tight?  Or how about your hat or headband? That’s right. Even those simple things can cause a headache. In one headache study, a woman who loosened her hair saw her headache disappear almost immediately.