10 Ways To Kill Headaches Without Any Medicine

I woke up this morning with a terrible migraine, I bet you know what it feels like. I was under the impression my head was going to burst at any point, I couldn`t even blink, it hurt so bad!

However, I didn`t take any painkillers, although they did look absolutely delicious at that time. It would have been very easy to just swallow a bunch of Advil or Tylenol, but these pills only cause too much damage to the stomach. I don’t even want to think about the heartburns and irritations..

Still, I had to do something about my migraine so I did some searching on the Internet for natural ways to kill headaches. I want to share with you what I found out even though I didn’t try out everything from the list. These advices might be of some use to you one morning when you’ll wake up with a terrible migraine.

#1. Use a cold compress

This could be the first and most simple thing to do to ease some of the pain caused by a headache. A soft and cool washcloth placed over your forehead helps the blood vessels constrict. Refresh it frequently with cold water.

If you prefer a long lasting compress put the wet washcloth in a resealable plastic bag and into the freezer for 30 minutes and then use it. If you have ice or a bag of frozen vegetables in the freezer, wrap it up in a towel and use that.

#2. Soak your feet in hot water

This is unexpected, but it seems a hot water footbath helps your head feel better as it eases pressure on the blood vessels in your head. A bit of mustard powder added to the water is even more effective if the headache is really bad.

#3. Drink gingerroot tea

Make yourself a nice ginger tea (you need 3 slices of fresh gingerroot and 2 cups of boiling water). Breath in the steam and sip it slowly.

This will reduce inflammation in about the same amount of time as it would if you took an aspirin. On top of that, it puts an end to your nausea, too!

#4. Or fresh lemon juice

Another natural beverage that is really one of the best cures for headaches (everybody seems to say so online) is simple fresh lemon juice or mixed with chamomile tea. It reduces the intensity of the pain. Drink three to four cups a day for the good of your throbbing head.

#5. Eat some almonds

Did you know these nuts contain something called salicin used in popular commercial painkillers? Why pop a pill when you could eat a handful of almonds? A natural remedy and a much healthier alternative.

#6. Soothe with essential oils

Peppermint, eucalyptus, sandalwood, basil and especially lavender oils (I’ve tried this and it works great!) have a wonderfully soothing effect for your aching head. Massage one of these oils onto your forehead, neck, upper back area.

Breath deeply the aroma, preferably while you lay back in a dark and quiet room. It will ease the discomfort and clear your mind. Use also in a hot bath or to inhale.

#7. Hold a pencil between your teeth

But don’t bite it! This will activate your “smile muscles” and will relax your jaw which is connected to your temples. As bizarre as it might sound it actually works, but only for tension headaches, not for migraines or sinus pressure headaches, keep this in mind.

#8. Tie a scarf around your forehead

Doing something constrictive like tying a scarf, necktie or a bandana around your forehead (really tight, until you feel the pressure) reduces the blood flow to your scalp and relieves the pain caused by swollen blood vessels. This is so simple to do also when not at home.

#9. Light massage

Massaging your scalp, ear lobes and neck improves circulation, relieves tension and distracts you from the pain. Basic massage is simple to do, just gently press your fingers over your temples and move them in slow circles, giving it a firm and good press (focus on the occipital region). Better yet, have one of your loved ones give you a head, neck and back massage, it’s even more efficient.

Also, massaging the bridge of your nose can be really helpful for sinus headaches and migraines. You can also try to massage acupressure points on your hands (press firmly for 3 to 5 minutes onto the area between your thumb and your index finger).

source: www.fitsugar.com

#10. Try cayenne pepper

It’s an endorphin stimulant which treats pain and inflammation. You will need to dilute a half teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder in a little warm water and apply the resulted moist with a cotton swab to the inside of each of your nostrils. You will feel a burning sensation, but this means it’s working and your pain will shortly decrease.

What other natural ways to get rid of pounding headaches do you know?

By Alec Deacon