Herbal Remedies: Headaches

 Causes

Headaches can be triggered by a variety of factors.

The most common cause of headaches is prolonged tension or stress.

These are called tension headaches or muscle-construction headaches.

Virtually everyone suffers from this at some time.

Muscles in your scalp, neck, and face tighten and contract, causing spasms of pain.

Psychological factors such as anxiety, fatigue (e.g.: eyestrain), and stress (e.g.: long periods of concentration) as well as mechanical factors such as neck strain (e.g.: working the culprits behind a typical tension headache.)

Symptoms

1. Tension headaches generally cause pressure or a dull ache that affects the entire head. 

2. In most cases it begins slowly, with the ache usually focused above the eyes. There's a feeling of tightness across the forehead or at the back of the neck.

3. The ache can last for hours or days at a time, with mild to moderate pain that typically worsens by the end of the day.

4. Cluster headaches occur in "clusters" or groups, with pain lasting about 20 to 90 minutes at a time. They typically start during sleep.

Remedies

1. A simple yet effective remedy for headaches would be to apply sandalwood powder paste over the forehead. Let the paste dry. Once dry, rub it and then wash.

2. Grind a few watermelon seeds and Cuseus grass separately. Mix the ground powder in equal amounts. Consume 3 grams of this mixture two times a day.

3. Take some ginger powder and moisten it. Apply this over the forehead. It is beneficial in treating headaches. 

4. For people who have chronic headaches, drinking a glass of water with a tsp. of honey on an empty stomach is the best way to deal with it.

5. Watermelon juice mixed with sugar works well for headaches due to exposure to excessive heat.

6. Mix 1/2 tsp. of mustard seeds powder and 3 tsp. of water. Put this in the nostrils to cure headaches and migraine.

7. Massage the forehead with rosemary oil. This would provide relief from headache.

8. For headaches caused due to cold, warm water gargling, nasal cleaning with warm water and steam inhalation would be beneficial.

9. Make a paste using 3-4 cloves. Apply this paste to the forehead. It would provide instant relief from the headache.

10. Put 2 to 4 drops of cow's butter or ghee in the nostrils for about seven days. This is an effective remedy for headaches caused due to sinusitis.

11. For headaches that are due to live or stomach problems, hot fermentations over the abdomen region would provide relief.

12. Prepare a paste all over the forehead. This would provide relief from the headache. 

13. If the headache is because of exposure to cold air, make a paste with the help of 1 tsp. each of finely ground cinnamon and water. Apply this paste to the forehead. 

14. Consuming freshly sliced apples each day empty stomach cures all chronic headaches.

Precautions

1. Avoid stress as it may increase your headache.

2. Take good food and have a heavy sleep, a good relaxation also helps!!

3. Do not walk under the sun. Take an umbrella or cover your head with some cotton cloth.

4. Don't take tension and do regular yoga and exercises.

5. Especially breathing exercises help you a lot!