Herbs and Ideas for Headaches
I don’t get headaches, ever. Yet, I've had a rare headache that has now lasted for one full week. Usually being one to avoid over the counter medications, I've not thought too clearly (because of having the headache) to remember what herbs I actually have on hand to help manage this! A good friend reminded me of some ideas, so I thought I'd pass them on in case while in the grips of one of these, you too forget what can be done.
Peppermint – Either in tea form or as a cool compress on the head.
Lavender – Either in essential oil form (now in the humidifier as I type) or herb as a compress. It relaxes the muscles in the neck and shoulders.
Valerian Root extract - a few drops 10-15 in 4oz of water at bed time. Also a natural muscle
Ice/Rice pack - we make these out of old 'loner' socks. Fill with rice and put in the freezer. They wrap around a neck nicely and work wonders. It can also be heated in the microwave for soothing warm therapy.
A Foot Soak - As hot as I can stand it, soaking my feet and then plunging them into much cooler water. This focuses the inflammation to another area. Not detrimentally, but reroutes the inflammation receptors to my feet (also, it is cold outside, this feels really nice before going to bed).
Deep tissue back rubs - Okay, time to 'man up' - this can't be the soft touch tickle rub, but has to get deep into the muscles in the back where tension lies. My youngest daughter is like a 'knot finder' and has strong hands that work wonders on the headaches.
Hydrotherapy – Alternating hot and cold in the shower reduces whole body inflammation.
I just wanted to share these ideas as I sip my peppermint herb tea, with the lavender oil in the humidifier by my desk and the rice/ice pack on my neck and shoulders. I now, for the first time in a week (too many Advil later) have NOT got the headache!
Tonight, to be sure it’s gone, I’ll be soaking my feet, getting a back rub (hopefully) and taking a dose of the valerian root herb. I plan on doing away with this week long headache the natural way!
Published Feb 23 2009, 10:39 AM by Millers Grain House
Filed under: homestead mindset anywhere, herbs, ideas, headaches
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