All-Natural Headache Soothers

For migraine sufferers: You may find a trick or two in this list that could provide some relief but this is a much more complicated ailment and requires the expertise and direction of your doctor.

If you haven’t looked into fever few yet, check it out. The idea is to grow a plant indoors and eat a few fresh leaves each day…this is a preventative measure only and not a migraine cure. Be aware that it could conflict with medications so speak to your doctor about it first. Also note that this is not recommended for pregnant women.

For the rest of us, here’s a collection I’ve compiled from my notes and clippings that lists items you can try for relief from mild or tension headache.

Teas:

Brew a fresh cup when you feel one coming on…

• Lemon balm
• Chamomile
• Ginger
• Peppermint

Compresses (can be hot or cold):

Pour 3 cups boiling water over 1 TBS of herbs, steep for 20 minutes then strain. Soak cloth in mixture, wring out and place on forehead or where it aches.

• Lavender (can also do a 50/50 mix with Lemon Balm)
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Chamomile Infusion: Fill a glass mason jar with 1/2 cup each of fresh or dried chamomile flowers and lavender buds. Cover with boiling water and steep for 25 minutes. Strain then use.
• Rose Vinegar Splash: Made with white wine vinegar, rose petals and whole cloves. Hot vinegar is poured over petals and cloves and left for 10 days, strain before using. See page for details (scroll down to bottom).
• Apple cider vinegar (soak cloth, wring out then cover the forehead)
• Sage: Boil fresh sage leaves for 5 minutes, strain.

Baths:

You can make your own bath salts with essential oils and dried herbs, keep them sealed in a glass jar until needed.

• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Ginger foot bath (1 tsp ginger per gallon of hot water). Apply a cool cloth on back of neck while your feet are soaking.

Temple Dabbers:

• Floral water
• Ground cinnamon or ginger & water paste (do twice daily)
• Apple cider vinegar

Aromatherapy:

Apply about 4 drops of one of the essential oils below to a scrap of fabric or cotton ball, put it underneath your nose then breathe in deeply…

• Rosemary
• Basil
• Peppermint
• Sweet marjoram
• Lavender

Sniffing Sachets or Jars

Ingredients:

1/4 cup dried lavender
1/4 cup cloves

Pouch: Made from fabric such as muslin, cotton

Directions:

• Mix together then fill a fabric sachet or small drawstring pouch.
• When you feel one coming on, open it up and breathe in the fragrance to help soothe away the pain (breathe in around 5 or 6 times). Press the sachet to your forehead and temples. Repeat 30 minutes later if it hasn’t disappeared.
• Keep sealed in a ziploc bag or airtight container and away from heat or light to preserve aroma strength and freshness.

Tip: You could also choose to skip the fabric pouch and store the ingredients in a small jar with a tight seal. Shake the jar then open it and sniff deeply a few times.

You could also try a a steam, massage your temples during the steaming. Always choose organically grown herbs (chemical free) when using as a health aide, you should have no problem find them in a bulk health food store.

*Note: These are simply notes I have collected, they are not professional medical advice.