How to get rid of headaches instantly? It’s important to know what type of headache you are having and what is causing your pain. By knowing this, you can treat the headache properly with natural methods.
Different types of headaches
Tension headache is one of the headaches that can cause a constant ache. It’s felt at the back of the head, neck and at your temples. This type doesn’t cause any nausea or vomiting. It can be treated with simple home remedies.
Another type of headache is a cluster headache. It’s a recurring type that can cause a severe pain on one side of your head. There’s no cure for cluster headaches but natural treatment options can cut its duration and severity.
Sinus headache has symptoms similar to a migraine. Patients with this type often treat their condition with medicines that are intended for migraine headache. They’ll be relieved but not for a long time. The pain will come back.
Rebound headache happens when you overuse your medicines. Aspirin, ibuprofen, and other drugs can lead to a rebound headache. This is one of the reasons it’s best to embrace the natural ways of getting rid of the headache instead of prescription drugs or over-the-counter meds.
Migraine is a type of headache that affects 9 percent of the people in the US. Patients with this condition often take prescription medicines but they don’t work all the time. For that reason, many of the sufferers shifted to natural treatments to get rid of their migraine.
Headache causes
There are many causes of headaches that can trigger pain in the head. Your headache may occur because of something you ate. It could also be caused by not having enough sleep.
Obesity may also be causing your headache. In several studies, researchers found that women who had a BMI of 30 or more had higher risks of experiencing headaches than those with lower BMIs. People who are severely obese, have up to 80 percent higher chance of experiencing a headache.
Also your personality or genetic make up, can cause you to be headache-prone. It could be your obsession or habit that leads to a headache.
Sex can also be a triggering factor. You’ll feel dull pain somewhere in your head that arises during foreplay or around orgasm. It usually happens in men. Fortunately, this factor is harmless and it might be gone after intercourse.
Taking a break from your routine may also challenge the head, causing a mild to severe headache. For instance, staying up late instead of going to sleep at your regular time, may lead to a headache the following day. Ease this condition by sticking to your normal routine to avoid the unnecessary headache.
There are other triggering factors for headache attacks. It’s important to find out what’s to blame so you can treat it accordingly. Although, if your headache is not responding to any of the home treatments, it’s best to consult with your doctor.
How to get rid of headaches quickly and naturally at home
There are plenty of natural remedies that can effectively treat the headache. Some of them are even more powerful than over-the-counter medicines.
Let’s learn about these remedies.
1. Cayenne
It may be a spicy herb but it’s well-known in the naturopathic world to be effective in treating pain and inflammation.
It’s the capsaicin of cayenne that treats the pain on your head, regardless of its type. Capsaicin inhibits a certain substance in your brain that lets you feel the pain. Thus, when that substance is depleted, you won’t feel the pain in the head.
However, this natural remedy may not be for every sufferer. This is especially true for those who are allergic to cayenne.
How to treat a headache fast with cayenne
- Mix cayenne powder with warm water
- Get a clean, unused swab and soak it in the solution
- Make sure that the swab is covered with the powder
- Apply it gently to the inside of your nostril
Expect to feel burning sensation, which can be unpleasant. But this remedy works. The pain will subside in a few minutes. Your headache may not be totally wiped out within a few minutes but the pain will become mild. Eventually, you’ll feel better.
Don’t use this remedy without first consulting your physician. This is especially true if you have sinusitis.
2. Almonds
They, too, can be a good alternative to prescription pain relievers. In addition to almonds, you can toss other types of nuts, like cashews, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Peanuts aren’t included because they’re legumes.
Why eat nuts?
Almonds and other real nuts contain salicin. It’s a substance that’s considered to be a natural pain reliever. In fact, it’s used as one of the ingredients of over-the-counter pain relievers.
The salicin in the nut will be converted into salicylic acid, which is also known as the result of aspirin metabolization.
In addition to the natural pain reliever, nuts are also rich in magnesium that encourages muscle relaxation, which you’ll need to ease the pain.
It’s best to regularly eat almonds and other nuts to reduce the frequency of your headaches. However, if you can’t consume them on a daily basis, it’s best to take them each time you feel that a headache starts to kick in.
No matter how effective nuts are in alleviating the headache, they tend to be ineffective for migraines. This is because almonds and other types of nuts are considered to be a triggering food for migraines.
On the other hand, if you’re worried about nuts’ calories, then you’ll be glad to know that eating nuts won’t cause a weight gain. In fact, they can contribute to weight loss because of their richness in protein.
So, go ahead and pop some nuts. But don’t do it if you have a migraine type of headache.
3. Feverfew
If you can’t use nuts to alleviate your migraine headache, you can find a relief through the use of feverfew plant. During a migraine attack, the blood vessels in your head are expanding and pressing on your nerves. The result? Throbbing pain.
Feverfew relaxes the blood vessels. It calms down your constricted or tensed blood vessels, thereby, easing the pain.
In addition to loosening the blood vessels, it can also reduce the inflammation through its parthenolide content. Its result is similar to aspirin, minus the side effects.
How can you get rid of a headache with feverfew:
- Prepare fresh or dried feverfew flowers
- Boil a pint of water
- Add the flowers and allow them to stay there for 10 minutes
- Strain it
- Drink half a cup as needed
The taste is bitter. Some users reported to experience irritation in their mouth. Hence, naturopathic experts recommend getting a freeze dried capsules of feverfew.
They’re easier to take. You can buy them from a health shop. The dosage will depend on how the capsule is prepared. But the recommended daily dose is 250 mg.
Or you may also add the feverfew leaves to your vegetable salad. But remember, the leaves are still bitter. Thus, you may find that adding sugar or honey can remedy that bitter taste.
When you’re taking aspirin, it’s best not to take them both at the same time.
4. Apple cider vinegar (ACV)
ACV is a common natural remedy that can treat any type of pain, including a headache. It’s being used by millions of people worldwide to treat or relieve almost anything, from hay fever to scurvy to acne. There are several scientific studies conducted to prove its effectiveness. Researchers are impressed with the results.
How to get rid of headaches naturally with ACV?
- Prepare a cup of ACV, three cups of water and a cup of cool water.
- Boil the water
- Transfer the boiling water into a large bowl
- Add the ACV to the bowl
- Allow your face to be near the bowl, just enough to inhale the steam. To trap the steam, you may want to place a towel (form a tent) over your head.
- Breathe the steam in and out for 10 minutes, or until the water starts to cool down.
- Pat your face dry
Another way to use ACV is to drink it straight up. But don’t drink its undiluted form. Instead, add one tablespoon of ACV to a glass of warm water. Mix them well. You may also add honey to taste. Drink the solution to relieve the pain.
The amount of ACV will depend on your tolerance level. You can start by using one teaspoon and increase the amount when necessary. Increase the dose when migraine and other types of headaches attack.
5. Fish oil
It’s more of prevention than treatment. Nevertheless, it can reduce the severity of the pain. Fish oil is considered to be useful and beneficial, not just to your heart, but also to your head.
The omega-3 fatty acid in fish oil is what makes it an effective natural treatment for any type of headache. But it’s usually taken for migraine attacks.
Fish oil’s fatty acid reduces inflammation, thereby, relieving the pain. It’s said that the inflammation in the head can cause a headache. Taking fish oil regularly will help you relieve the headache..
But, as mentioned earlier, fish oil is better to be used as a prevention, rather than a treatment. When you regularly take it, it prevents blood vessel constriction, which is usually the reason of migraine type of headache.
In a study conducted, participants who took this product had experienced fewer migraine attacks. Some of them still experienced a migraine but the duration was shorter and less severe.
How to relieve a headache fast with fish oil:
- Prepare one tablespoon of fish oil and a glass of warm water or orange juice
- Add the oil to the orange juice
- Mix them well
- Drink the mixture
In order to make it easier to take this remedy, you can just use its capsule, soft gel or tablet form. These forms can be easily obtained from a health shop.
But don’t overuse this remedy as it may increase your chances of internal bleeding or stroke. Follow the recommended dosage each time.
6. Ginger
Ginger can inhibit the production of prostaglandin. Your nerve endings are very sensitive to this chemical. When it’s produced and released, the nerve endings respond by transmitting pain to the brain. As a result, you’ll feel pain.
By inhibiting synthesis of prostaglandin when a migraine or headache attacks, the pain is reduced or minimized. In addition to that, ginger also reduces nausea, which often happens during a migraine attack.
How to soothe a headache fast with ginger:
- Boil two cups of water
- Remove the water and transfer it to a mug
- Add three slices of ginger root (quarter size)
- Cover the bowl and let the slices of ginger root stay there for 30 minutes
- Sip the mixture slowly
This is also great when your acid reflux attacks while you’re suffering from a headache. It can alleviate two conditions in one drink.
You may need to drink three cups of this mixture each day to further alleviate the pain. If you can’t swallow the taste of pure ginger root tea, you may add honey to the mixture.
Make sure that it’s pure honey. Some honey products contain sugar, which may worsen your headache.
It’s also best to use organic ginger root.
7. Peppermint oil
It’s known to have great soothing effects. This is one of the reasons it’s being used by people who don’t want to take any medications. They simply wish to fall asleep when they experience migraine attacks.
Peppermint oil is known to ease the discomfort caused by a headache. It can also help to clear your mind.
Because of its versatility, many individuals have it in their medicine cabinets, just in case they need one.
You, too, must stock a bottle of peppermint oil in your medicine cabinet, purse or desk.
How to cure a headache fast with peppermint oil
- Massage the oil onto your temples
- Include the back of your head and neck
As soon as you apply the oil, you’ll feel the cooling sensation of the peppermint oil. You’ll soon get a relief.
If you don’t like to apply it on your forehead or temples, you can just inhale it. The pain inside your head will be reduced slowly but surely.
To further ease the pain, you should find a quiet place to relax and sleep. Sometimes, your headache may be caused by the lack of sleep. With the application of peppermint oil, you’ll soon fall asleep.
This remedy isn’t only great for treating a migraine but it’s also useful in treating a sinus headache as it clears up the congestion.
No matter how effective this oil is in treating a headache, you shouldn’t ingest it. This may cause a stomach discomfort. Consult your physician if it’s safe for you to swallow it. Generally, it’s not advisable.
8. Eucalyptus oil
Another oil that can get rid of your headache is eucalyptus oil. It’s especially useful if the pain is triggered by stress. Despite the lack of scientific studies, it’s been used for thousands of years in alleviating pain, including headache.
The oil in this plant reduces swelling of the blood vessels, thereby, reducing the pain. And when you have sinus headache, you just need to reach out to this oil to clear the sinus congestion so the pain on your head will go away.
How to get rid of headaches fast with eucalyptus oil
- Find a place where you can lie down and relax.
- Massage your forehead and temples with the diluted form of eucalyptus oil
- Do this for 30 minutes.
You may also mix this oil with peppermint or coconut oil to further ease the pain on your head.
Through its soothing and calming effects, you’ll feel sleepy while massaging your head. It’s natural and it’s expected. Don’t fight it. Let yourself drift off to sleep. When you’re back up, you’ll feel a lot better. The nice thing is that you’ll feel more energized.
Just like the peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil shouldn’t be taken by mouth. This is especially true with full-strength oil. Make sure that you dilute it first to avoid negative side effects.
9. Cinnamon
It’s a fantastic natural remedy for various ailments, including headaches. When you try to obtain it in a supermarket, it’s being sold as a stick or ground.
No matter what form you’re using, this herb is an excellent way to treat your headache.
Cinnamon is a great source of manganese, iron, calcium and other minerals that can help in treating migraines and other types of headaches. This is especially useful if your headache is triggered by the unstable weather condition.
How to stop a headache fast with cinnamon?
- Boil one to two cups of water
- Add cinnamon, either stick or powder, to the boiling water
- Allow to boil for additional two minutes
- Remove it from the heat
- Strain and use the water as a tea
- Add natural sweeteners (honey, agave) to taste
- Drink it twice or thrice a day
Your headache should be gone the following day.
Another way to prepare this herb is to make a paste.
- Prepare equal amounts of cinnamon powder and water
- Mix them well until a fine paste is formed
- Apply the paste over your forehead and neck
After application, try to lie down and rest. Rinse it off using warm water.
10. Acupuncture
This remedy is quite different from the natural methods discussed above. But it’s as effective as using herbs.
Unfortunately, you may need to spend around $60 per session should you decide to undergo such treatment.
It’s all worth it considering its effectiveness in treating the headaches.
The great thing is that it provides lasting effects. You need to use the traditional Chinese acupuncture to reduce migraine attacks and their intensity.
This natural treatment is being used by people who haven’t been cured by other natural remedies available for them.
Don’t just go to any clinic that performs acupuncture. Make sure that it has licensed staff members to perform your procedures.
Many people who have used this method as a way to get rid of their headaches have also utilized other natural treatments to further alleviate their condition. You, too, can pair it with herbs and other natural cures to finally put a stop to the pain inside your head.
Hydrate yourself to further improve your condition
When you use one or some of these natural treatments for headaches, make sure to hydrate yourself.
You need to drink about 8 cups of water each day. You don’t have to focus on drinking water alone. You can get fluids from fruits and vegetables. This is great because fruits and veggies come with other nutrients that may further assist in alleviating your headaches, no matter what the cause is.
To avoid worsening the pain, don’t skip any meals. Bear in mind that starving or hunger can be another trigger for headache to occur.
On the other hand, if your headaches are getting more intense and frequent, you must consult your doctor. It could be that you’re having a serious medical condition and headache is just a symptom of it.