Just about everyone during their life time feels the throb of a headache. A headache can range from just a slight dull ache, to a pounding, sinus crushing, temple popping period of intense pain. Fortunately, there are a variety of herbal and natural headach remedies that have demonstrated headache treatment success in clinical testing.
Before you start to treat a headache, it is very important to know what type of headache you have.
There are two general types of headaches: Primary and Secondary.
A primary headache is the most common. This is when the headache itself is the underlying medical condition. These include migraine headaches, tension headaches, cluster headaches, dehydration headaches, etc. Usually, a primary headache is not dangerous, but it can be very painful, and make life nearly unbearable. But, the underlying medical condition is just the headache, not something more complicated. So if you treat the headache, you will eliminate the medical problem, so to speak.
Then there are secondary headaches. These are more dangerous because they are a symptom of a (usually) major health problem. They are usually extremely dangerous, and cannot be cured or treated with normal natural OR synthetic remedies. For example, a brain tumor can put pressure on the cranium, and result in extreme headaches. Also, a brain hemorrhage can do the same. A sharp blow to the head or other head trauma can cause water on the brain, or other inflammation that can cause a serious headache. These are all very urgent medical issues, and some aspirin or lavender won't be effective in treating these problems. It is necessary to seek immediate professional medical treatment for the underlying cause. Only this will stop a secondary headache.
So, once you determine you have a primary headache, here are several effective natural headache remedies :
Feverfew - This is probably one of the best herbs for eliminating migraines. Feverfew reduces the frequency of migraines, the time they last, and the amount of pain the cause. It is most effective if it is taken every day. This is because feverfew works as a preventative step... it won't treat a migraine once it is throbbing.
Peppermint oil - Use a 10% peppermint essential oil solution, and gently apply it to the forehead. This can relieve the pain and possibly the duration of a tension or dehydration headache.
Tiger Balm - This is a combination of several essential oils, and it has a similar application and effect as peppermint oil. It is often sold O.T.C. in pharmacies and health food stores, or you can buy it on the internet. It has also proven effective to relieve headache pain.
Melatonin - It turns out this supplement has some studies that demonstrate it will decrease the amount of monthly migraines a person will have. It needs to be taken every day, but it can be a great natural migraine remedy.
There are several other successful herbal headache remedies , but these are some of the most effective for stopping migraines and tension headaches.
