by Pam Uher

Created on: May 16, 2008   Last Updated: July 13, 2009

Are you tired of reaching for the aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and sodium naproxin when struggling with a headache? It is a common practice of modern life that no one used to think twice about, until medical alerts started being released about various over the counter pain relief medications. Most people seek the 'quick fix' automatic response when headaches keep them from functioning, so they grab a bottle of pain-killer medicine and down 4-8 supposedly miraculous capsules or tablets. Even though the chemicals in the tablets may give us digestive problems, make us sleepy and might even become habit forming; we continue to take them because they are handy, easy to acquire and they work for the moment.

Headaches (cephalagia) come in many forms - migraines, cluster headaches, tension headaches, sinus headaches, fever headaches, illness related headaches and head injury headaches. It is one of the most diagnosed conditions that medical doctors write prescriptions for in America. Yet, for centuries around the world people have used various natural and homeopathic remedies for headaches, instead of synthetic pain-killers.

Besides setting a regular sleep schedule, eating a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water there are some natural homeopathic remedies that may help you relieve and prevent headaches.

Here is a short list of some great home remedies you can use inplace of pharmaceutical pain meds:

WILLOW BARK - use the tea or tincture (30 drops every 4 hours) to make a drink that eases headaches, if you can find a tree chew on a green willow twig. The bark of the Willow Tree contains salicin that acts like aspirin.

FEVERFEW - has been used for headaches since the Middle Ages throughout Europe and recent studies show the effectiveness of the herb as a headache remedy.You can make a tea that works well against migraines with 1 tsp feverfew leaves, 1/2 tsp lemon balm and dried 1 tsp gingerroot mixed together and let to steep at least 10 minutes. (caution pregnant women should not use feverfew).

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL - this is one of the best natural pain relief herbs and the oil made from the seeds is a powerful remedy for headaches. You can find it in capsule form at the local health food store. The daily dose for headaches is 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams.

TENSION HEADACHE HERBAL ELIXIR - use equal parts of ginger, jamaican dogwood, kava and wood betony tinctures mixed together then 15 -20 drops in a glass of water or diluted juice should be taken every

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>