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Headache treatment, naturally

by Gayle Eversole

More people die of the side effects of NSAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs than from all illegal drugs combined. Dependence on these products proliferating the aisles of your favorite drugstore increase as the tolerance for them decreases, when nothing seems to work anymore. Side effects of these products can bring you serious health problems leading to ulcers, liver or kidney failure.

Sixteen million to eighteen million experience migraine, and another 30 million have headaches that are related to eyestrain, sleep deprivation, too much sun, exercise, alcohol, caffeine, poor posture, teeth grinding, sinus infection or allergies. 

Headaches are generally classified into types, with migraine being the most well known. Migraines have been known since Sumeria, more than six thousand years ago.

A combination headache is often experienced by those with migraine, in between their attacks. Cluster headaches are perhaps as difficult to deal with as a migraine. 

Tension headaches are very common because of the high level of stress we experience. Toxic headaches are similar. 

Simple headaches can feel like Maxwell's Silver Hammer, buzzing, or pulsation in the head. These might be from weather changes, fever, lack of oxygen, or high blood pressure. 

Food sensitivities most commonly related to migraine or other headaches are MSG, aged cheese, yeast bread, chocolate, cured meat, wheat, dairy, nitrates / nitrites, NutraSweet  / aspartame, and food additives.

Some interesting research in recent years done by Bic and Bic at Loma Linda University found that a 70 percent reduction in headache through lifestyle changes in stress management, diet, nutrition, and exercise, and the simple act of drinking water.

This study also showed that the amount of circulating lipids (fat) in the blood caused platelets to clump and release factors that impair serotonin in the brain. Serotonin levels in the brain are implicated in migraine and other types of headache. 

Constipation is an easily remedied discomfort that is the causative factor for many headaches. This is commonly related to lack of fiber in the diet. Excessive coffee, soda, and alcohol intake dehydrates the body, and can cause constipation. Using helpful herbs, a better diet, and eight glasses of pure water daily will help you feel a lot better, and you will have fewer headaches. 

Choosing natural healing helps you regain control of your health. Treatments focus on the cause, and not the symptoms. This is usually different from what most people are accustomed to, since most traditional treatment focuses on the symptoms.

If you are one of the more than 45 million people that have chronic headaches, there might be some natural help for you here. So get ready to say good-bye to those headaches.

Natural Treatments for Headache -

1. Chiropractic: more than fifty clinical studies support the benefit of these treatments for headache.

2. Acupressure: like acupuncture but you use your fingers and thumbs to press on points that drain sinuses, and reduce pain, or release muscle tension. Acupuncture: needling or heat on the acupuncture points.

3. Reflexology: a massage treatment for hands and feet, using specific points to relieve pain and congestion. Herbal foot baths for relaxation make good company with reflexology. 

4. Massage, including CranioSacral Therapy, can relieve tension that causes headaches.

5. Aromatherapy: rosemary, peppermint, lavender, chamomile help headache, nervous stomach, and stress. Use a diffuser or make your own salve with olive oil and beeswax to rub on your temples or the back of the neck.

6. Herbs: willow bark (breaks the cycle of migraine once the headache has started), cayenne (opens up circulation), feverfew (regular use clears migraine severity), ginger (helps digestion), ginkgo (gets oxygen to the brain), skullcap and valerian (relax the muscles and help calm emotions), mullein ( improves lung capacity so you can get more oxygen into the blood), eyebright (sinus), black cohosh (balances low estrogen during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle).

7. Dream Pillows: make your own for under your pillow at bed time with herbs such as marjoram, mint, betony, or bay; flowers of bee balm, rose, and lavender; nutmeg and clove.

8. Homeopathy: Nat. mur for throbbing, iris versicolor, or others. 

9. Nutritional Supplements: magnesium, B complex vitamins and B2, B3, or B5 nourish the brain and nervous system. Many people with a severe headache have low magnesium levels in their body. Essential Fatty Acids (EFA) help fat balance and aid neurotransmitters that are involved in the pain mechanism. Daily vitamin C (3000mg. to 6000mg.) helps in the production of anti stress hormones. 

10. An ice pack over the eyes or to the back of the head is helpful for headaches, Hot packs help sinuses. (Make sure you do not have a serious sinus infection causing your headache. Echinacea will help conquer the infection.)

11. Lifestyle changes: first, last, and always, will help you revitalize your own ability to heal.

from HEALTH MATTERS© 2000

Disclaimer: Any health related information on this site is for educational purposes only.
None of the information is to be construed as medical advice.
Before applying any therapy or use of herbs, or other natural remedies, you may want to seek advice from your health care professional.
This information should not be interpreted as a substitute for physician evaluation or treatment by a health care professional. 
It is not intended to provide or confirm a diagnosis.