Chronic Headache Treatment – Natural Remedies You Can Try

Food allergies or specific foods such as processed meats, red wine, chocolate, and some cheeses are common triggers.

Keep a headache diary. Note what triggers your migraines, if you have not previously done so.

For acute attacks, I have had limited success treating migraines. Taking 2000mg of vitamin C sometimes helps when taken immediately as headache starts. I find that the herb feverfew and conventional over the counter remedies and pharmaceuticals may be needed to prevent migraines and treat them when they are present. Home remedies are useful for prevention and as complementary treatments to herbal and pharmaceutical treatments.

If headaches are related to the menstrual cycle, limit excess salt consumption. Salt makes your body retain fluids. Swelling can precipitate a migraine. Eat plenty of fresh dandelion greens as they act as a safe diuretic which rids the body of excess fluids while improving the electrolyte balance within your body.

Take a multivitamin and multimineral supplement daily. Additional calcium and magnesium is beneficial as well.

Inflammatory compounds within the body, known as prostaglandins, contribute to the pain of migraines. Primrose, black current seed or borage seed oils may help with reducing pain and inflammation due to an imbalance of prostaglandins.

Treatment for Sinus Headaches

Taking CoEnzyme Q10 daily may be helpful. It helps to reduce allergic reactions and inflammation which result in sinus headaches and other symptoms. Eating a Mediterranean style diet provides similar benefits.

Consuming local honey or bee pollen regularly for allergies is beneficial. If using bee pollen, begin with just a couple of grains. Gradually increase to one teaspoon daily. Only local pollen and unheated raw honey is useful for prevention of allergies and resulting sinus headaches.

For acute episodes, an aromatherapy diffuser with eucalyptus oil may help.

An even more effective use of eucalyptus oil is to prepare an aromatherapy steam treatment. Add a few drops of essential oil of eucalyptus to a bowl of boiling water. Apply a large towel tent-like over your head and the bowl. Inhale through your nostrils for twenty minutes. It will unclog your sinuses and relieve your headache.

The Bottom Line – Natural Remedies for Chronic Headaches

Using home remedies to treat chronic headaches can be effective alternative treatments or adjuncts to conventional treatment of chronic headaches.

Author

This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com in Nov 2013 by Patricia Bratianu RN PhD RH-AHG. Patricia has been a Registered Nurse for almost forty years in a wide variety of settings. As a Registered Nurse, she realized that conventional healthcare was not meeting the needs of all patients. She became an herbalist and obtained a PhD in Natural Health. Patricia is a professional member of the American Herbalist’s Guild, passing the stringent peer reviewed process to become a Registered Herbalist.

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