5 Home Remedies for Headache (That Actually Work!)

Many of us have had several episodes of headaches during this course of the pandemic. Whether it be the typical migraine or the one caused by another medical condition, these headaches take a toll on people’s lives and daily functioning. Thus, addressing this common concern is necessary. But, what are some home remedies for headache you can do to relieve the pain? Find out here. 

What are headaches?

If there is one type of pain that can bring people together in commonality, it would have to be headaches. This pretty common condition can occur to anyone at any age and time of the day, regardless of its type (primary or secondary). Most people who are under stress and pressure often suffer from such head discomfort, which can be a pulsating, continuous, sharp, or dull sensation.

Headache occurrences can often lead to affecting a person’s workflow, be it at school, work, or even at home. This is why many people are on the lookout for home remedies for headache.

What Are Home Remedies for Headache?

Headaches tend to be painful and frustrating to handle, most especially when you are in the middle of doing something. Hence, it is important to identify what type of pain you are experiencing to find a remedy that could work to your advantage. 

Below are some home remedies for headache to get rid of the ache.

Hydrate yourself all the time

There are instances in which your headache could be caused by dehydration. Good thing, the way to combat it is straight-up simple – drink more water daily. This is probably the easiest form of remedy as you can grab a glass of water in an instant.

Practice aromatherapy at home through essential oils

Essential oils are becoming a thing nowadays that some people may already have in their bedside tables, as well as a travel-size one in their bags.

The most common scents, peppermint and lavender, provide calming effects that can aid with headache relief by rubbing a generous amount of it to the temples. Moreover, aromatherapy with lavender oil can also help to soothe migraine headaches in a safe and effective method. You may also consider using an essential oil diffuser, or even dabbing a small quantity on your palms, rubbing them together, and inhaling the smell.

Use cold compresses

Applying a cold compress on your forehead could contribute to minimizing the inflammation and constricting the dilated blood vessels, which can help to relieve headache pain. The numbing action of the cold compress on the region might help lessen and alleviate headache discomfort. You may also add a drop of lavender essential oil to the damp cloth and relax while inhaling the relaxing smell.

Consider some dietary changes 

Participants in a study published in the journal Nutrition, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Disease followed a very low-fat diet for 12 weeks. The said diet entails food consumption of less than 10-15% of their daily calories from fat, which resulted in at least a 40% decrease in headaches. It was also recorded that pain was rather 66% less intense, and migraines lasted roughly 70% less time. 

According to the National Headache Foundation, other diets, such as low-carb or omega-3-rich diets, may also be beneficial in alleviating headaches. 

Massage pressure points

Applying pressure to specific pressure spots on your body may be all it takes to relieve headaches. Use the tips of your index fingers to apply pressure at the middle of your brows and release. You may also opt to apply pressure in small circles for a minute and release it to relieve headache pain produced by eyestrain.

Stress, headaches, and other kinds of pain are said to be relieved by rubbing the area between your thumb and index finger. Rub for four to five seconds near the base of the thumb, then release.

Other forms of activities that may help you relieve your headaches are as follows:

• Exercise regularly
• Equip oneself with good sleeping habits
• Learn how to manage stress and follow through with relaxation techniques (such as deep breathing, yoga, and/or meditation)

There are also over-the-counter medicines you can reach for to relieve the pain. Or sometimes, your doctor may prescribe some medications to reduce the occurrence and severity of such headaches.

Key Takeaways

There is no clear-cut way to home remedies for headache. Each type requires a different kind of management to address the particular cause, frequency, and even severity.

While it may take a series of hits and misses to find what works for you, this list may come in handy to guide you. 

Learn more about headache and migraines here.