Yoga, nutritional supplements, essential oils, and dietary modifications are all natural, safe, and effective ways to reduce headache symptoms. Of the herbal supplements mentioned in the review 8 natural cures for erectile dysfunction listed above, curcumin and chamomile are generally considered safe. However, it’s important to check with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy to treat headaches.
One review found that odors from sources such as perfumes or other strong-smelling chemicals may trigger migraine after just a few minutes of exposure. Your headache may actually be signaling a mini-stroke, if it’s accompanied by confusion, fuzzy vision, weakness, or a bit of memory loss. To give your eyes a rest and alleviate the strain, every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away (about the length of a car and a half). Then, every two hours, take 15 minutes to rest your eyes, the AOA recommends. There are many ways to increase your activity level, but one of the simplest ways is to increase the number of steps you take throughout the day.
Ways to Cure Your Headache Without Any Medication
“If you can’t have three meals a day, at least have small, healthy snacks like almonds or raisins throughout the course of the day,” Dr. Newman advises. One herb that has been connected to headache relief is feverfew, Dr. Vila says, and it’s considered a safe, natural alternative to OTC meds. So you might want to try a more natural route to ease your head pain instead. Taking NSAIDs like Advil too frequently can lead to stomach issues, like stomach upset or even gastrointestinal bleeding. Plus, OTC headache meds can lose their effectiveness over time, leading to a “rebound headache” that prompts you to take more and more of the meds to get the same relief.
Sleep is essential for numerous brain functions, including removal of toxins and maintenance of communication pathways and nerve cells. Poor sleep can not only cause headaches, but also increase your risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and obesity, the NIH notes. So make sure you’re getting the recommended seven to nine hours per night. A 2016 study in 50 people with migraine found that eliminating migraine-triggering foods from the diet significantly reduced migraine attack frequency, duration, and severity (42).
In fact, one popular headache remedy (Excedrin) combines Tylenol, aspirin and caffeine—something to keep in mind if it’s close to bedtime. If it’s too late in the day for caffeine (or you don’t “do” caffeine), an icepack applied to the forehead or temples can also restrict blood vessels and relieve headache pain. There are several heavy-duty drugs that have been approved for the treatment of migraines and chronic headaches, as well as over-the-counter pain relievers, such as the ones Crista mentioned. But many headache sufferers would prefer to use drug-free approaches—and I don’t blame them.
A 2021 review that included 6 studies found that treatment with 30–800 mg of CoQ10 per day was effective for reducing migraine frequency and duration (40). Adding magnesium to the diet as a supplement may help reduce headaches or prevent them in these cases. Some studies have found that applying cold therapy can relieve migraine symptoms, which are more severe headaches. Which one you prefer is up to you, but they both can help with migraines and headaches.
Take a nap to release tension.
Several types of headaches exist, with tension headaches being the most common. Cluster headaches are painful and happen in groups or “clusters,” while migraines are a moderate-to-severe type of headache. The review published in Children notes that research has shown acupuncture to be an effective way to prevent migraine and tension headaches or reduce their frequency. Here are a few common, effective nondrug ways to ease or prevent headaches, especially migraines. Some, such as biofeedback and medical devices, are less likely to be covered by insurance, says Mia Minen, MD, chief of headache research at NYU Langone Health in New York City. It’s important to avoid taking herbal supplements to treat a headache unless you’ve checked with a healthcare professional first to ensure the supplements are safe for you.
Keeping a 16-ounce container of water on your nightstand or putting out a glass before bed to fill in your kitchen in the morning helps.” Dehydration is a known trigger of migraines, Dr. Newman says, so make sure you’re sipping enough water. If you have a stiff neck or 5 types of alcoholics characteristics of each alcoholic type fever as well as a headache, that could be a sign of infection, Dr. Vila notes, including both run-of-the-mill types and something more serious, like meningitis. So if you keep your hydration level up to par, that could ward off the pain-causing lack of blood flow.
- What’s more, being dehydrated can impair concentration and cause irritability, making your symptoms seem even worse (10).
- She’s a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
- Headaches can be a symptom of a serious underlying health issue, such as a tumor, a blood clot, or another medical condition that requires immediate medical attention (5).
- From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news.
- Acupuncture is part of traditional Chinese medicine, where practitioners place small needles into the skin’s surface.
When you don’t have enough fluids in your body, your blood volume decreases overall. Not only does that lower the amount of oxygen-rich blood flowing into your brain, but it can also cause the brain to contract a bit temporarily. A stationary bike may be better than jogging because it avoids impact that can aggravate a pounding head.
When to see a doctor about your headaches
This practice has been linked to a reduction in headache symptoms in many studies. Pure Encapsulations Magnesium Citrate is a great choice for people who want to try magnesium for headaches. Interestingly, magnesium has also been shown to be a safe, effective remedy for headaches. For example, headaches can result from potentially life threatening conditions, including tumors and blood clots, as well as from traumatic brain injury (5). Keep reading for 18 effective home remedies to naturally get rid of headaches. This may be valuable for women who experience migraine during their menstrual cycle, as vitamin E may help keep their hormones balanced to prevent symptoms.
But, like any herbal remedy, it’s not advisable to combine treatments—for example, don’t pop a few ibuprofen and feverfew tablets at the same time. That’s because both can act as blood thinners, so it can increase your risk of bleeding. The Migraine Trust, a nonprofit in the U.K., notes that many people take feverfew if they have recurring migraines, and some have found that it can help prevent headaches from occurring. In fact, a 2005 study found that migraine sufferers who took feverfew cut their number of headaches per month from nearly five to just under two. Next week, I’ll have some diet and nutrition tips that can help you prevent those headaches from starting in the first place. Coenzyme Q10A 2021 review found that this supplement, often called CoQ10, slightly reduced the frequency of migraines but did not make them less severe.
Bright office lights or even a smartphone’s bright light may worsen symptoms. From 2015 to 2019, she held various editorial positions at Good Housekeeping, including as health editor, alcohol intolerance after covid covering nutrition, fitness, wellness, and other lifestyle news. She’s a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism and dreams of the day Northwestern will go back to the Rose Bowl.
MelatoninA 2019 review suggested that a small dose of this hormone, typically taken for its potential to help with sleep, cut migraines in half when taken nightly for three to six months. A sinus headache commonly affects the area around the eyes, the bridge of the nose, the cheekbones, and forehead. You should also avoid drinking too much caffeine, as this can make you jittery and interfere with sleep (69).
Nitrates and nitrites are food preservatives commonly added to items like hot dogs, sausages, and bacon to keep them fresh by preventing bacterial growth. This hypersensitivity to odors is called osmophobia and is common in those with chronic migraines (52). Strong odors like those from perfumes and cleaning products can cause certain individuals to develop headaches. There are a number of high quality essential oils available, with Eden Botanicals being one of the best brands to consider. It’s also found in certain foods, such as aged cheeses, fermented foods, beer, wine, smoked fish, and cured meats.
How to Get Rid of a Headache
If you’re looking for a high quality B-complex supplement, you may want to try Nordic Naturals Vitamin B Complex. It contains highly absorbable forms of B vitamins, including methylcobalamin and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF). Research suggests that peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus essential oils are especially helpful when you have a headache (28, 29, 30). Sleep deprivation can be detrimental to your health in many ways and may even cause headaches in some people. Additionally, some people are more likely to experience headaches than others.
They can also run tests to help rule out health conditions and nutrient deficiencies, such as B12 and iron deficiency, which may cause or worsen headaches (65, 66). A doctor can help rule out potential underlying causes of your headaches and give you the right care. Headaches can be a symptom of a serious underlying health issue, such as a tumor, a blood clot, or another medical condition that requires immediate medical attention (5). Not only is it cost-effective to make, but drinking the tea is a healthy way to stay hydrated.
