Headache

When pain sensitive areas in the head are stimulated, a headache occurs. There are several types of headaches; dull and aching, tension, migraine, and cluster. There are many causes including inflammation, congestion, low blood sugar, fatigue, stress, eyestrain, muscle tension, heat exhaustion, allergies, medication, hormone imbalance, environmental toxins, dehydration, injury or illness and inflammation to name a few. Finding the root of the problem can help in relieving the headache, maybe all you need is a beverage, nutrients or rest. Try these first and then move on to these other remedies if after sufficient rest you are still in pain.  

Prevention Practices

• One of the symptoms of over toxic body are headaches. Check these body systems to make sure you are getting adequate nutrients and all the channels of elimination are clean; digestive, liver, and blood.

• Be more mindful of your posture (sitting up straight) and holding on to tension

• Use stress relief practices

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Exercise regularly

• Eat regular meals that are filled with nutrients

• Get adequate sleep

• Keep a food journal to identify and food triggers (I was able to pinponit my son's migraines from artificial flavors, colors and high fructose corn syrup)

• Chiropractic Adjustment - I suffered from migraines since I was child, then when I was first married I began working for a chiropractor. One of the perks was free adjustments, so I was adjusted at least 2 times a week, sometimes more, and after two months of this I realized I was no longer getting my monthly migraines. It was an amazing feeling and still to this day I will only get a migraine every once in while and I am able to kick it by applying The Works roll on from REVIVE coupled with rest.

• Exercise and get outside in some fresh air.

• Walk barefoot in the grass, in water, over rocks, any type of earth element to release built up electrons. 

• Apply either a cold or hot compress, depending on how your body responds. For me I have to have a cold compress, heat only aggravates the headache. For best results use some of the herbs or essential oils listed below in your compress. You can also alternate a hot and cold compress every 10 minutes.

• Place a hot compress on the back of neck, while at the same time placing a cool one on the forehead. 

• Soak feet in as hot as you can stand water with a few drops of on of the essential oils below while sipping a warm beverage sweetened with raw honey while soaking. After hot soak dip feet in cold water. 

• Soak feet in a hot detox foot bath of 1 Tbsp ground mustard seed and 1 tsp cayenne pepper, while placing a cold pack on the back of the neck or forehead.

• Apply pressure to where the pain is for several minutes at a time - for best results use one of the essential oils listed below as well.

• Sit in a dark, quiet room and try to sleep.

• Massage shoulder blades, the neck and back of head, all over the head like shampoo. For migraines, massage the earlobes. Use an essential oil below with a carrier oil for best results.

• Herbal pillow

• Ginger Lemon tea

• Apply Redmond clay on the nape of the neck and forehead.

• Lobelia tincture - apply to temples, forehead and along the spine.

• Raw honey or herbal honey - dissolve 1 tsp in a glass of warm water and sip at the onset of headache. Repeat every 20 minutes.

• Pain salve - apply to the temples, back or neck as well as area of pain

• Pain formulas

• Pain remedies from the nervous system page (scroll down to pain section)

• Bay leaf

• Birch (poplar family members)

• Cayenne

• Catnip

• Ginger

• Feverfew leaf (avoid if pregnant) - chew two fresh leaves or 1 tsp extract

• Lavender

• ​Lobelia - use in tincture or capsule form (low dose), I like to use as a liniment and apply down the spine and temples.

• Meadowsweet

• Mint

• Willow (aspirin is derived from willow)

• Passionflower

• Valerian (avoid if pregnant)

• Sage

• Wintergreen

Inhale, diffuse, apply to the temples, across the forehead and massage on the back of the neck. May also help to massage into shoulders and neck with a carrier.  

• Peppermint

• Rosemary

• Basil

• Clove

• Copaiba (layer with peppermint for best results)

• Eucalyptus

• Frankincense

• Helichrysum

• Lavender

• Marjoram

• Sage

• Spearmint

• Wintergreen

• German chamomile

• Roman chamomile

• Essential oils for pain relief