What Stops Headaches Naturally?

What stops headaches naturally?

The answer might be a bit salty.

Not all headaches are the same, but I want to share with you one of my top tricks for getting rid of a headache quickly... and it may surprise you! Don't worry, I'm going to share all my other natural tips for this painful issue as well, but first....

Magic Headache Remedy

This summer we were camping at Lake Erie with some friends. We’d been out in the sun all day and had indulged in a few too many sweet things and perhaps a few cocktails. As we sat down at one of the local restaurants, my husband told us he wasn’t sure he could eat- his head hurt so much he didn’t have an appetite.

As the waitress went by our table I asked her if she could bring me a small bowl of olives from the bar…. And of course, everyone at our table looked at me a little funny.

When the olives reached the table, I thanked the waitress and explained that I needed them to stop a headache. While Carson was very skeptical, he reluctantly chewed a few olives… and… within a few minutes his headache had subsided enough to order. By the time our food arrived he felt fine.

Olives Aren’t Magic

Now… this trick won’t work with every headache. It is specific to those headaches that happen because you have overdone sweets, alcohol, sun, heat… in short anything that causes the blood vessels in your head to expand or swell. These used to be called vascular headaches, but the term is now outdated.

There are so many possible causes for headaches, especially those that become chronic- everything from hormonal imbalances, food sensitivity, illness, dehydration, lack of sleep, nervous system imbalances and even several serious causes. Determining the cause can sometimes help with the treatment. In the case of my olive trick, it’s certainly worth a try if you don’t have another good reason for why the headache has started.

Anything that is extra salty can clear the headache very quickly. If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to use herbs and traditional therapies.

Traditional Headache Therapies

Start by having the affected person sit down in a quiet room. Herbal foot baths are especially helpful when soothing a headache. The water should be heated as hot as they can stand. Add whatever herbs you would like, but I especially recommend hops. Place the bath at the base of a chair with their feet in it and wrap them and the tub with a towel to keep in the heat. This is a good time to serve your favorite herbal tea, such as our Headache Blend. Alternatively, you might like to resolve the headache faster and use a tincture like our Headache Extract.

While the affected person sits, treat them with whatever method you choose. Tinctures work very quickly and are often preferred in the case of a headache, but if the person in question has the headache because they have been rushing around and not taking care of themselves, a tea may be the best option.

Another really nice therapy is to keep a chilled washcloth that is sprinkled with a few drops of lavender essential oil in the freezer. Allow the washcloth to defrost enough to wrap around the base of the neck or to rest over the temples and eyes.

Having an occasional headache can be normal. If you or someone you love is having frequent headaches, it is time to seek the help of a professional physician in the form of a chiropractor, acupuncturist or general practitioner.

Common Herbs for Headaches

• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)
• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
• Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
• Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
• Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
• St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
• Ginger (Zingiber officinale)