8 ways to treat headaches without medication
Migraines are intense throbbing headaches, often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. According to Mayo Clinic, the cause of migraines is still largely unknown, though migraine sufferers can often identify their personal triggers. Triggers can be anything from hormonal changes to stress and from sun glare to a change in the barometric pressure during a storm.
These disabling headaches effect a whopping 36 million Americans, according to the American Migraine Foundation. One in four households in America has a member who suffers from migraines, so whether you or a loved one, use these home remedies to prevent migraines and soothe pain during an attack.
1. Vicks VapoRub.
Alison Jacobson, the blogger behind Safety Mom, says that when she has a headache, applying Vicks VapoRub to her temples and forehead is so powerful, it reduces pain and pressure almost immediately. The proof for this remedy comes from the Department of Neurology at Thomas Jefferson University, which found intense pain from migraines was reduced after two hours following the application of a menthol gel similar to Vicks VapoRub. The soothing effects of menthol are also found in peppermint essential oils. Lori, of the Health Extremist blog, claims a homemade mixture of peppermint essential oil and water or coconut oil, when applied directly to the forehead and temples, relieves pain within 30 minutes to one hour.
2. Ice and banana peel compress.
This might sound a bit wacky, until you realize ice wrapped in a banana peel is nothing more than a potassium-rich cold compress. Mayo Clinic recommends applying a cold compress to the head and neck in order to dull the pain of a migraine. Place a banana peel on your forehead with ice, as recommended by Peas Health, you get the added benefit of potassium absorbed directly through the skin.
3. Olive oil.
A study by the Divisions of Adolescent Medicine in Providence, RI found that olive oil, as well as fish oil, is effective at reducing the frequency, duration and severity of recurrent migraines in adolescents. The reason behind the success of olive oil and fish oil lies in the fact that both contain long chains of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, building blocks for hormones that regulate blood clotting, contraction and relaxation of artery walls, and inflammation, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
