Have a tension headache? It could be something you ate. Studies have shown that there is a relationship between food allergy and migraine in that eliminating the allergy-causing food remarkably decreased the frequency, duration, and severity of headaches.
If you’ve been experiencing migraines from unknown causes, it might be time to get yourself checked for celiac disease or even gluten sensitivity, which could cause severe headaches upon consumption of gluten. Read more about giving up gluten here.
So, what should you do when you find yourself suffering from a headache? Try some of these natural remedies to feel better again fast.
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of headaches, which is why drinking alcohol, coffee, and sugary drinks can sometimes leave you with a throbbing head. The next time you feel a headache coming on, drink a glass of water. You can also keep yourself hydrated by consuming fruits and vegetables that are high in water content, such as cucumber, watermelon, cantaloupe, radish, celery, and cabbage.
It is also important to look at lifestyle factors such as stress, sedentary lifestyle and sleep which can all influential in the frequency of headaches.
Magnesium
Migraine is caused when nerves become overstimulated. Some studies have shown that people who suffer from headaches or migraines are often deficient in magnesium. To increase the body’s magnesium reserve, it’s ideal to consume foods rich in magnesium such as spinach, nuts, broccoli, and wild salmon (read more). Taking magnesium can be helpful when someone has a headache to to relax the smooth muscles that run the automatic processes. Magnesium citrate, malate and glycerinate are absorbable forms (order here). Also try a mixed mineral product such as Mineral Essence (order here). Epsom salt baths are also a good ideas that is fast and cheap as well as magnesium oil (order here) to help relax away tension.
Butterbur
Butterbur has long been used to treat many ailments, including asthma, upset stomach, and fever. Extract from the plant also helps reduce the frequency and severity of headaches because of its anti-inflammatory properties and antispasmodic effects. Butterbur is commercially available in various forms, such as tincture, powder, and capsules. Order here.
B-Complex Vitamins
People who suffer from headaches or migraines could be deficient in serotonin, a neurotransmitter formed with the help of many B vitamins that often come from meat. Serotonin has been associated with migraines because when their levels drop, blood vessels in the brain swell, causing pain. Taking B-complex (order here) vitamins can help you not only avoid headache symptoms it can also improve brain cells, circulation, cardiovascular health, and immune function.
Water therapy
Hydrotherapy is a great way of ridding the body of toxins and stimulating blood circulation. Sit in water as cold as you can take to send the blood to the body’s core. You can also sit in very warm water the same way. This technique is common in Japanese spa’s as mode for detoxification. Continue to alternate between the two for 20 minutes to carry nutrients to the organs and remove toxins.
Stretching and Moving
Headaches and body tension can sometimes be caused by staying in one position for long periods of time, such as when working in an office setting where you have to sit in front of the computer. To avoid head and muscle pains, stretch and move your neck in a circling motion. Do this every 30 or 60 minutes. As an alternative, you can do yoga because it helps clear the mind and relaxes the muscles. Seeing a chiropractor and/or acupuncturist (this is mine) can help with tension in the neck and spine.
Essential Oils
Essential oils that are distilled from certain plants can have a very cooling feeling on the skin and can have a refreshing and uplifting smell when diffused in a cold air diffuser. This is the kind I use (read more).
Sleep
If you haven’t been getting enough sleep, a good night’s rest could be the solution to your headache woes. According to studies, people who sleep for an average of six hours per night are prone to severe and more frequent headaches than those who sleep longer.
A headache can be debilitating so take note of these natural remedies the next time you suffer from one. It’s also ideal to start keeping a food journal to determine whether the migraines are caused by food. Good luck and hope these tips help next time you are suffering with a pounding head.
