It should come as no surprise that headaches are common. With computers, televisions and phones, we’re constantly exposed to screens. Combine that with the stressors of everyday life and what do you have? A recipe for headaches! So what causes a headache and what home remedies can you use to treat one?
Why We Get Headaches
The first step to knowing why you have a headache is to know what kind you have! There are over 300 types of headaches though the most common are tension, sinus and migraine. A sinus headache is pretty self-explanatory (caused by sinus pressure or an infection), a tension headache can be caused by things like stress, lack of sleep and hunger. When you get a tension headache, the muscles in your head and neck tighten causing pain. Migraines, however, are very different. According to Harvard Medical School a migraine is caused when super sensitive nerve endings in the brain create pain.
Prevention
While there is no way to prevent headaches altogether there are steps you can take to help minimize how often you get them.
- Diet- Eating nutritious food, especially food high in magnesium such as bananas.
- Hydration- Drink plenty of water and keep your body well hydrated.
- Rest- Make sure your body has had adequate rest as lack of sleep can trigger a headache.
- Relax- Stress can also be a trigger for a headache! Make sure you have an outlet for stress. Meditation and Yoga are great activities to clear the mind and calm the body.
- Add a Supplement- adding a b12 supplement can also help prevent a headache.
Home Remedies
While the most commonly accepted way to treat a headache is with over the counter medication such as tylenol or ibuprofen, many prefer more natural remedies that are easier on our body. Here are a few options that can provide relief for the occasional headache.
Butterbur- this is an herb that has commonly been used to treat headaches. Available in a variety of forms such as capsules and powders and even tinctures. Secret Of The Tribe US makes an all natural and vegan Butterbur Alcohol Tincture. While known to be effective butterbur is not recommended for long term use and should only be taken occasionally.
Magnesium- Magnesium can be a wonderful and easy way to help with a headache. Magnesium is in many foods we eat but it is also available as a supplement or an oil that can be applied to the skin. For an easy magnesium option try the Whipped Magnesium Body Butter by Meadowlark Botanical. This organic shea based body butter will provide you with the magnesium you need while nourishing your skin.
Feverfew- This herbal remedy can also assist in treating headaches. Also available in many form it is most commonly used as a powder. Mountain Maus Remedies offers a Organic Feverfew Powder available in a variety of sizes.
Peppermint Oil- Peppermint oil is one of the safest treatments for a headache. Easy to use and very effective peppermint oil creates a slight numbing sensation and and calms the body. For an easy roll on option check out this Vegan Natural Headache Oil from Meadowlark Botanical.
While these tips can help relieve the occasional headache, please keep in mind this is not intended to diagnose or treat any medical conditions. For more information on headaches and when to be concerned, see information from Harvard Medical School. Please consult your doctor before adding any supplements to be sure they do not interfere with any medications or medical conditions.