What helps against headaches? Natural remedies for headaches presented

What can you do about headaches? Headaches affect almost everyone at least once and can significantly reduce quality of life if they occur regularly. It is important that you first see a doctor to clarify possible causes. If no cause is found, you can look for tips to relieve headaches.

Relaxation techniques for headaches

Your headaches may be due to stress and tension. In that case, relaxation techniques might be worthwhile. These are meant to relax both your mind and body. Tension in the back and neck often leads to headaches, so targeted relaxation exercises, massages, and similar methods could help.

To ensure lasting relaxation, you can incorporate meditation and yoga into your daily routine. Meditation can relax the body, but mainly focuses on calming the mind. Yoga combines this with physical relaxation, while also improving mobility and balance.

Medicinal plants and herbs: natural remedies

Natural medicine, for example according to Hildegard von Bingen, knows quite a few medicinal plants and herbs for headaches. It is important to note that the effects mentioned below are not medically or clinically proven. However, you can try the following herbs:

• Chamomile: Chamomile is considered a calming herb, so feel free to drink a relaxing tea.
• Peppermint: This herb is traditionally used for headaches.
• Ginger: The rootstock may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could help against headaches.
• Lavender: Lavender flowers are considered a relaxing herb and are often used before bedtime.
• Valerian: Like lavender, valerian is often used before sleep. It is rightly counted among herbal sedatives.
• Hops: Hops are not only important for German beer brewing but may also have relaxing effects according to natural medicine.
• Passionflower: This flower is named because it reminds of the Passion of Christ. Passionflower acts as a herbal sedative for nervous restlessness.

Is it due to diet?

Poor and unhealthy eating habits can of course also cause headaches. During your doctor’s visit, it may be found that you have a deficiency in certain micro- and macronutrients. If no such cause is found, you can consider the following points:

• Hydration: Too little fluid intake is probably one of the biggest triggers of headaches. Often people drink coffee, caffeinated tea, soda, and similar drinks throughout the day. However, these dehydrate the body, so you should always keep an eye on your water intake.
• Magnesium for headaches: There is scientific evidence that taking magnesium might prevent tension headaches and migraines. Research is not yet conclusive, but it may be worth trying if you have recurring headaches.
• Avoid trigger foods: Some people have trigger foods for headaches. Coffee, alcohol, and sugar are examples. Sweeteners, the flavor enhancer glutamate, and histamine-containing foods can also cause headaches. Watch whether eating certain foods is linked to your headaches.

Essential oils: fragrance power against headaches?

Essential oils may provide relief for headaches. Whether relief occurs is very individual and not medically proven. In aromatherapy, the following scents are used against headaches:

• Lavender oil: Can have a calming and relaxing effect; lavender oil is considered a sleep scent. Rub a few drops on the forehead or temples or put them in a diffuser.
• Peppermint oil: The cooling and clarifying scent might help with headaches. Apply to a scent cloth, forehead, or neck.
• Eucalyptus oil: Often smells similar to peppermint oil and can especially help with sinus problems.
• Rosemary oil: Used in aromatherapy by massaging into the temples and neck.
• Chamomile oil: The ultimate relaxation oil. Often used in a diffuser or other room scent device.

More exercise and a healthy lifestyle

Of course, unhealthy habits such as too little exercise or an unhealthy diet can cause headaches. Try to live healthier. Specifically, more exercise, enough sleep, a healthy diet, and plenty of water are recommended.

What helps against headaches? Frequently asked questions

What to do for headaches?

First of all, you should see a doctor if you have regular or severe headaches. There may be an organic cause such as a disease, so your doctor should rule out such causes. Afterwards, you can try the methods mentioned above.

What to do for tension headaches?

Tension headaches are often caused by muscle tension, for example due to poor posture, tension, or similar. It is important to eliminate the causes of tension headaches. Then you should try relaxation techniques to finally relieve the cause, such as tense muscles.

What helps with severe headaches?

A doctor’s visit! Severe headaches can indicate serious illnesses, so you should definitely see a doctor. They will recommend medication and further treatments if a disease is present. Only afterwards can you consider natural remedies as complementary therapy.

Which tea helps against headaches?

Teas do not have to help with headaches; this is an alternative or natural medicine treatment method. Whether teas help depends not only on the illness but often on the person. However, teas with the following herbs are recommended:

• Chamomile
• Lavender
• Hops
• Valerian
• Passionflower