5 Natural Remedies for Headaches

Pulse. Twinge. Throb.

Who has the time to get bogged down with a headache? Certainly, not you, but they happen to the best of us. It doesn’t matter if you’re feeling the pains of a common headache the symptoms (no matter the severity) can easily keep you from feeling your best.

Before you reach for over-the-counter medicines, or simply suffer through the pain, think again.

Headache remedies can be natural and safe, and we’ve got a few things you can try at home to relieve your discomfort and get on with your day.

1. Lavender, Spearmint and Eucalyptus Massage

A body massage can reduce physical tension that may be the cause of your headaches in the first place. Create a simple homemade massage oil with the headache-busting trio of Lavender, Spearmint and Eucalyptus Globulus essential oils. This powerful combination of oils can be one of the most pleasant, natural remedies for headache that you‘ll ever try. Grab your spouse, a close family member or a good friend to do the massaging for you so you can completely relax!

1. Combine 2 teaspoons of fractionated coconut oil with 1 – 2 drops each of Lavender, Spearmint and Eucalyptus Globulus essential oils in a small bowl.
2. Gently stir the ingredients with a spoon until well-mixed.
3. Massage the mixture onto the skin, focusing on areas where your headache is. Don’t forget to massage other tense areas that may be contributing to your headaches, including the neck, shoulders, upper back and pectoral muscles.

2. Soothing Essential Oil Steam Session

If you don’t have an extra set of hands around to take advantage of the massage, inhaling steam from essential oil-infused hot water can be the next best thing to ease your headache symptoms.

To relieve your head pain, try creating your own essential oil steam session:

1. Warm a small pot of water on the stove until it begins to steam.
2. Remove from heat. Allow the water to sit for a few minutes before testing the temperature of the steam to ensure that it isn’t too hot.
3. Add 1-2 drops each of the following oils (in any combination) to the steaming water: Angelica, Clary Sage, Marjoram, Bergamot and Black Pepper.
4. Lean over the pot in a comfortable seated or standing position.
5. Breathing deeply, inhale the steam for up to ten minutes.

This soothing headache remedy can be easily completed at home up to three times daily.

3. Basil and Lavender Compress

A headache-soothing compress with essential oils can be just what you need to relieve the pangs in your head. Basil is one of the most commonly used home remedies for headache and is especially useful for easing symptoms when combined with Lavender.

1. Add one drop each of Basil and Lavender oils to a bottle filled with 500 ml of warm water.
2. Cover and shake the bottle until the oils are well-mixed into the water.
3. Soak a compress (soft cloth) with the mixture. Squeeze lightly to remove excess water.
4. Put the compress directly on the forehead, temples or bridge of the nose and cover with a dry towel.
5. Leave in place for up to four hours, breathing normally.

These steps can be repeated up to three times a day as needed for relief of your symptoms.

4. Warm Essential Oils Bath

Head into the bathroom to draw up this next headache remedy. Soaking in bath water mixed with essential oils can help reduce the effects of stress or tension headaches and is one of the most enjoyable home headache remedies.

1. Draw a comfortable amount of warm bath water.
2. Combine 1 – 2 drops each of Citronella, Laurus Nobilis, Lemongrass, Neroli and Rose (up to 8 drops total) with an equal amount of shampoo or liquid soap. Add to the bath.
3. Gently stir the oil and soap mixture into your bathwater.
4. Soak in the tub for at least ten minutes for maximum benefits.

The combination of the above essential oil ingredients creates a relaxing and enticing aroma of citrus, floral and spicy scents that make this once-a-day headache remedy quite divine.

5. Avoid Headache Triggers

Prevention is the best option. Though you won’t stay forever invincible to the pains of a headache, knowing which headache triggers to avoid can help prevent head pain. Here are a few tips to keep top of mind:

1. Exercise regularly.
2. Avoid alcohol.
3. Avoid taking excessive amounts of medication (especially pain relief medication).
4. Receive regular massages.
5. Dilute and apply NHP-approved diluted essential oils topically to the temples when headache symptoms appear.

All of the natural remedies for headaches listed above are safe, effective and easy to complete at home or at work. The next time you suffer from headaches, try any one of these techniques to ease your pain and get back to feeling like yourself again.

Did any of these techniques work for you? Got your own home remedies to share? Let us know in the comments below!