by Charlene Rollins

Several herbal treatments may alleviate the pain associated with headache and migraines:

* Black Haw -- soothes head pain and reduces fever. The salicin in black haw is related to aspirin and may act in a similar way to reduce fever and relieve general aches and pains.

* Cayenne -- helps relieve cluster headaches. In one study, people who regularly experienced cluster headaches -- characterized by a sharp, stabbing sensation on one side of the head, often around the eye -- rubbed a capsaicin preparation on the inside of their noses on the same side of the head as their pain. Within five days, 75 percent reported less pain and fewer headaches.

* Feverfew-- also relieves migraine headaches, mix with lavender and take daily even when no headache is present. Drink a cup of peppermint tea also, is very helpful, use a lavender oil rub to rub on head and back of neck to relieve the discomfort of migraines and headaches.

* Kola -- also relieves headache pain. The secret to kola's effect on head pain is, again, caffeine. In any form (coffee, tea, or cola), this potent stimulant can lessen the pain of headache most effectively when used in conjunction with aspirin.

* Meadowsweet -- doesn't pack the pain-relieving punch of aspirin, but meadowsweet is less likely to cause aspirin's major side effect -- stomach upset.

Tension Headaches

Mix 10 drops oil of lavender, 10 drops oil of marjoram, 5 drops oil of cloves, 10 drops oil of mint, and 10 drops oil of rose. Sniff as needed. It is quite fragrant, pleasant, and usually helps rather quickly.

Cluster Headaches

Take freshly picked leaves from a yerba Santa plant, place them in boiling water for a few minutes, cool them off; then press them to your head. The leaves will stick. By the time they dry, the headache should have subsided.

Caffeine Headaches

Try a vinegar compress. Add 1 cup rose petals to 2 cups good quality white wine vinegar. Steep in the sun for two days; then strain. Dip a soft cloth into the vinegar, and lay it on your forehead.

Eyestrain Headaches

Any of these herbs when inhaled or used as a compress will help ease the pain of a headache and eyestrain -- ginseng, violet, peppermint, orange peel, dandelion, alfalfa, mandrake, coltsfoot, or marjoram.

Hangover Headaches

A decoction of coltsfoot, wormwood or sage works well, or rub a few drops of cajeput or oil of rosemary on your temples and neck. Make a compress of wintergreen or camphor and lay it on your forehead. Any of these will work wonders. However one should refrain from drinking at all as it is considered a human specific poison and is very harmful to the entire system.

General relief of headaches
Mix one-half teaspoonful of ginger powder with water to form a paste. Heat, and apply to the forehead. A burning sensation may possibly occur, but it will not be harmful.

Sinus headaches can be relieved by drinking a tea of cumin and coriander seeds, one half teaspoonful of each in one cup of hot water. At the same time apply a sandalwood paste to the temples.

Occipital headaches can be helped by taking one teaspoonful of flaxseed at bedtime with a glass of warm milk. At the same time, apply a ginger paste behind the ears.
 
 

Copyright 1999 Charlene Rollins