Natural remedies for headaches?

I have been suffering with a headache for 4 days now. I really don't want to take pain killers, but I just can't stand this anymore. Also, the pain seems to get worse when I lay down which makes sleep impossible. Anyone know what could be causing this?

Sounds like a migraine...have you ever had one before? My middle boy suffers with them and I hurt for him when he has one....I feel so helpless....

Have you been sensitive to light and sound during your headache?


I hope you feel better soon. Sorry to hear that you are suffering from a nasty headache.

More so to light than sound. When I stand up too fast it gets worse as well.

Rhonda, I don't think I have ever had a migraine, but if this is one I NEVER want to experience this again.

It sounds like that is what you have.....I know Marilyn and Lisa have them a lot....you might PM them and compare notes.....My son can't STAND the light when he has one....

Headaches are bad, But once was told putting a Banana Peel on your Forehead would make it go away, I have never tried it i found it rather hard to believe but who knows it might help

I like to put ice packs on my head when I get a really bad one. I don't know if I just start thinking about the cold but it helps some. Hope your feeling better

Well, I still have this headache. It still gets worse at night, during the day it is just a dull pain. I did go to the Dr on Monday and she told me to take 600-800mg of Advil as needed and also gave me a muscle relaxant. NOTHING seems to be helping... Would a migraine last this long? I'm starting to get really worried now, it has been 8 days now...

I've heard of ppl having them for days but doesn't sound good.Hope it goes away soon.

Yes Debbie, migraines are stubborn headaches that hang on and on, just because. My grandma wrote a book on old folklore remedies, and for headaches it said to slice a lime in half and rub it on your forehead. I do not know if this works, but at this point, you will probably try anything. Below is what I found on Dr. Oz's website:


Cluster Headaches

The pain of a cluster headache is often described as an ice pick in the head because of its concentrated stabbing feeling. The name comes from the fact that the headache occurs in a cluster of days over several weeks. The pain is often followed by a runny nose or fever, so they are often known as “histamine headaches." Cluster headaches are common in the winter due to temperature changes.

Solution

Capsaicin Cream

The active ingredient in this cream is cayenne pepper. Apply a small amount to the inside of your nostril that’s on the side of your head where you are experiencing pain. The cream works to block nerve pain signals. This effective remedy can be purchased for about $11 in a health food store.

Migraine Headaches

This one-sided throbbing pain causes sensitivity to light and sound and may cause nausea. Migraines run in families and women are three times more likely to have them than men. Experts believe that migraines may be caused by nerve signals that the brain misinterprets as pain.

Solutions

Feverfew

In clinical trials, this supplement from the sunflower family has been shown to be effective for treating migraines. It reduces inflammation, which takes pressure off the nerves and helps to prevent migraines entirely. It costs around $12 and comes in capsule form.

Acupressure Massage

This ancient Chinese healing method involves applying pressure to certain points on the body to relieve pain. Place your finger in the depression between your first and second toe and press firmly for 3-5 minutes.

Butterbur for Migraines

One of my favorite remedies to help prevent migraine headaches is the herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus), which appears to help stabilize irritable blood vessels that may contribute to migraine pain, as well as offer anti-inflammatory actions. In one trial, researchers found that taking 75 mg of butterbur daily over 4 months cut the incidence of migraine headaches nearly in half. In addition, butterbur is an effective agent for the treatment of hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis. It is not unusual for people to develop headaches in association with their seasonal allergies, and butterbur might help in this instance, too. Only buy products that are labeled “PA Free,” meaning they do not contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver. A reasonable adult starting dose for the prevention of migraine headaches would be 75 mg twice a day with meals. Some people may need to increase the dosage to 100 mg twice daily for symptom relief.

Debbie, I'm so sorry that you're in so much pain. I can definitely relate. Yes, as Rhonda said, migraines can last that long. Magnesium, ginger capsules, feverfew, and eyebright are what have helped me when I've had severe migraines. Also, watch carefully what you're eating - and what makeup you're using, believe it or not. Mascara is a HUGE trigger for me. I don't wear it a lot, but when I do, I have to have a hypoallergenic brand like Almay, or I have horrible migraines.

In foods, watch out for MSG, TBHQ, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, and BHA or BHT. Those are known triggers for migraines.

If you've started using a new perfume, a new laundry detergent, or a new soap, try rotating it out of use and see if the migraine stops.

I sure hope you feel better soon. I feel so bad for you! I know exactly what you're going through. Keep us posted. I'll be praying for you.

I'm praying you get some relief Debbie! Maybe call the doctor & tell them it's not working. They have rx meds for migraines.

Thank you ladies. I did some research on all of the remedies you have mentioned. i think I have narrowed it down to Feverfew and Butterbur (A brand name I ran across was Petadolex, which claims it contains no PA's which can cause liver damage.) Can these be bought in the healthy / organic section of a grocery store, or must I visit a specialty store?

Savannah, I would have never guessed that such things can trigger migraines. I have just recently changed my laundry detergent, I always used the sensitive skin formulas and this time I tried a scented one. Also today I opened a new bottle of body spray from B&BW and my head is hurting more than usual at this moment.

I had no idea that all that things can cause headaches either. No idea make-up could.

Sorry to hear you are still sufffering from a horrible headache. Prayers to you, Debbie. I hope it goes away soon.

I get headaches. Changing of the weather. Sinus infection & that time of the month. Before it starts. I sometimes will take CVS liquid pain medication. Sometimes that will work. If, my other pain medication Ultram (Tramadol) Doesn't work. I also use Relief! by Gabriel Botanicals Just apply on to back of your neck, forehead, and temple. (by the hairline.) He's from Romeo, MI. Not sure, he's in busy or not. The bottle cost $10.00 I think, we bought this small bottle over 2 years ago. It's quarter full.


Sometimes, I put ice pack on my head. When it's shower night. I use the shower head as massage. just relax my body.


I type the website address. Doesn't have website anymore. Not sure, where to get the Relief! at.

It seems now, that I am getting relief from the headache during the day, but it hits me full force in the middle of the night. I'm just really feeling low now, I don't want to live like this forever..

Did you happen to wash your sheets in the new laundry soap? You might have to redo them and see if that helps.

No, actually I didn't use the new detergent on the sheets.. I hope tonight will be better..

The scented laundry soap maybe the cause. I have to use laudry soap made for senitive skin. I can't use perfume or body spray due to skin and upper respitory allergies. You may have allergies to scented laundry soap and body spray. You can get allergy headaches. Will keep you in my prayers.


I get headaches when I'm stressed and very tired.

Sometimes the only cure is asprin/tylenol...

Make sure you are eating properly. Many times I would get a hunger headache. I used to be able to just eat something and it would go away. Now I need to couple it with some type of medicine.

Try the Salonpas patches. They are like HeadOn2.0


As that morbid kid in Kindergarten Cop said... It might be a tumor...

Wow, sorry I missed this thread! Debbie, I hope you are doing ok!

I used to suffer migraines several times a year and I agree with the others that it certainly sounds like that's what you had.

I very rarely get them anymore....in my particular case we tracked them to Diet Coke. I never thought I had that much but I figured out pretty quickly after giving it up altogether that they triggered the migraines somehow, and had read that this was the case for many people.

I found this online....just had to share! Lisa will get a kick out of this!

http://migraine.com/infographic/12-things-you-should-never-ever-say-to-a-chronic-migraineur/