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May 4, 2015

Natural Headache Remedies

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Hi from Colorado Springs, my friends! I flew out here on Friday for the annual symposium of the Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition (SCAN) practice group that’s part of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, but am staying an extra day to enjoy the area with friends. (You can see what I’m up to on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, as usual!) As such, no new post from me today, but I have a great guest post from an RD-to-be to share with you – all about natural headache remedies. I hope you find it useful and interesting! I’ll be back at some point tomorrow afternoon from the plane with a recap of the Colorado adventures. Until then!

—-

Natural Headache Remedies
by: Charlie Watson of The Runner Beans

Hi there Fannetastic Food readers, I’m Charlie from therunnerbeans.com and I’m so excited to be guest posting on one of my favourite blogs. 

I’m a marathon runner, a fitness class junkie and a wannabe triathlete. I live in London and strive to live my life with an 80/20 balance in all things, but food in particular. I’m currently studying to go back to school to become an RD, as well as working full time and blogging regularly. Oh and I suffer from chronic headaches and migraines.

charlie runnerbeans

I typically have a headache of varying degrees of intensity about 5 days a week, although I’m lucky to only suffer migraines about twice a month (mostly when I’m really stressed or running a marathon the following day!) I know I’m not the only one who suffers from headaches that doesn’t want to just keep popping pills, so I thought I would share with you some healthier, more holistic approaches to help avoid and relieve your headaches.

· Get your eyes tested. Even if you think your vision is fine, you might be straining the muscles in your eyes which can build up throughout the day, causing the ‘sore eyes, sore head’ that a lot of us get after staring at a computer all day.

· Know your hydration levels. Drink at least 2 litres (if not more) of water a day. Not tea, not Diet Coke, but water!

natural headache remedies

· Try a cup of coffee. This one sounds weird but studies have shown that caffeine can be beneficial to curing headaches, which is why it’s an ingredient in many painkillers. It can constrict the blood vessels and decrease the pain. I actually often try an iced coffee or a coconut water and coffee mix if I wake up with a headache. The effectiveness of caffeine varies from person to person, though, and it’s worth noting that it can actually trigger migraines in some people. You can read more about Caffeine and Migraines in this paper by Dr Robert E Shapiro (PHD) and Dr Robert Cowan.

· Get outside and breathe in some fresh air. If you have a headache, often all you may want to do is lie in bed, but getting some air can really help relax you, increase oxygen intake and take your mind off things a little.

· Along the same lines, yoga can be a brilliant restorative activity when you have a headache, reducing stress in the body as well as mind. Just be careful if you’re taking a class as some moves may aggravate your headache; in particular, classes focusing on headstands are best avoided. Here’s a great list of yoga poses that can help headaches.

natural headache remedies

· Surprisingly enough, exercise can work as a great healer too. It gets the blood pumping and the oxygen moving throughout the body. Exercise also releases natural pain relief in the form of endorphins and natural anti-depressants called enkaphalins. Whilst I’d avoid hard exercise if you feel nauseous or dizzy, it can often be just the thing to ease a stubborn headache.

· Work out what your triggers are and avoid them where possible. I know red wine gives me an instant headache, so drinking it just isn’t worth it!

· Target the key pain points and massage them. Whilst this can be painful, it can help ease the tension in the area. You could also book in to see a physio or chiropractor that specialises in headaches.

· Basil oil can be a muscle relaxant and work particularly well in easing tension headaches. Drizzle some over pizza, pasta or salad at dinner to relax your muscles after a stressful day. The antioxidants are most powerful in extracts or oils, but you can also try using basil leaves (just chew them or add them to salad/pizza, etc.).

natural headache remedies

· Consider acupuncture if you are a chronic headache sufferer. Whilst I haven’t tried this yet, I’ve had friends that speak highly about the power of acupuncture; just make sure you find a reputable acupuncturist, and preferably one that specialises in headache relief.

· Add Buckwheat into your meals! This grain contains Rutin, a flavonoid found in plants that has antioxidant properties that counteract damage to cells. Studies in Taiwan have shown a link between flavonoids and inflammation, a leading cause of headaches. Find out more here.

· A study in the UK showed that Feverfew (a small bushy plant in the daisy family) helped ease migraine pain in 70% of the 270 people in the study, and subsequent studies have shown that taking dried feverfew everyday could help ease migraine pain. Another study found that a combination of feverfew, magnesium and vitamin B2 led to a 50% decrease in migraines in the 49 participants. Here’s a great summary of the benefits, uses and doses of Feverfew.

natural headache remedies

· Add cherries to your fruit bowl; the anthocyanins and bioflavonoids found in cherries have been linked to reducing inflammation and therefore helping to eliminate migraine headaches.

· Eat more Omega-3 fatty acids. Found in oily fish, flaxseeds and walnuts, omega-3s contain anti-inflammatories.

· Take magnesium supplements. Although they won’t work for everyone, magnesium has been hailed as a migraine miracle by some. Scientists have found that many people that suffer from migraines have lower magnesium levels that non-sufferers, and as magnesium regulates how your blood vessels work, it can reduce pain and calm your nervous system. Another great source of magnesium is coconut water, which is great for helping you stay hydrated too.

· Invest in some essential oils. Peppermint essence contains menthol which helps relax and ease tension headaches, plus muscular aches and pains (best avoided at night, though, as it is a stimulant). Lavender oil is a natural sedative that contains anti-inflammatory properties great for tackling evening and nighttime headaches. Eucalyptus oil is another anti-inflammatory that can be especially helpful in easing sinus headaches. You can use the essential oils to massage into your head/temples, in a room diffuser or on a tissue to inhale a little at time.

· Get enough sleep. I know that I’m most prone to headaches and migraines when I’m tired or have been woken in the middle of the night. Aim to go to bed and get up at the same time everyday if possible, and snooze for the recommended 8 hours a night.

natural headache remedies

· Take a computer and social media break- staring at a screen, especially a small phone screen all day isn’t good for us. Try to take regular breaks, or put your phone away completely if your head is pounding.

Thanks so much for reading, and if you have any questions, feel free to email me at charliewatson88@hotmail.co.uk. I’m also on twitter @charliedwatson and Instagram @therunnerbeans – come say hi!

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- anne
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25 comments
  • Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
    May 4, 2015 · 9:44AM:
    I'm so excited to get into essential oils! I've heard wonderful things!
    Reply
  • EmilyB May 4, 2015 · 11:46AM:
    I second the magnesium. I started reading about taking it over a year ago, but I was skeptical. I get bad migraines consistently around my time-of-the-month, so I know they're hormonal. When I went to my Dr for my annual in January, I told her about my headaches, and she told me to take magnesium. I was like "Really? Is that legit?" She said it totally was, so I started taking 500mg/day. I have not had a migraine since. Seriously. I get headaches sometimes, but not associated w/ my cycle anymore. I still can't believe it.
    Reply
    • Charlie
      May 5, 2015 · 2:54AM:
      That's so great to hear, I've only just started taking magnesium so hoping to see improvements!
      Reply
    • Stefanie May 16, 2015 · 11:44PM:
      I totally agree about the magnesium. I went to a neurologist many years ago and and he suggested magnesium and vitb12 for my migraines. I have been taking both every day and I rarely get migraines anymore! It doesn't work right away so keep taking them for awhile.
      Reply
  • Roadrunner May 4, 2015 · 1:10PM:
    Thanks, great ideas here. And look forward to your blog on the Colorado trip, Anne!
    Reply
  • Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
    May 4, 2015 · 2:45PM:
    As someone with a lot of headaches and other chronic pain, I second a lot of these - especially the magnesium and hydration! I'd also add trying not to let yourself get too hungry. I know that if my blood sugar gets low, I start to get headachy. And another common theme in a lot of these is that (massage, oils, limiting screen time, etc.) is that they help keep stress in check. When my stress levels skyrocket, my pain levels tend to follow. Excellent post! :)
    Reply
    • Charlie
      May 5, 2015 · 2:55AM:
      Thanks so much! I am exactly the same with stress- it makes my headaches worse which increases my stress, so frustrating!
      Reply
  • Kirtley Freckleton @ The Gist of Fit
    May 4, 2015 · 2:57PM:
    GREAT post!!! Super unique but not fluff! Thanks for this post, you're awesome!
    Reply
    • Charlie
      May 5, 2015 · 8:12AM:
      Thanks Kirtley, really glad you enjoyed my guest post!
      Reply
  • Jessica May 4, 2015 · 3:07PM:
    Loved this post. I also am a chronic migraine/headache sufferer (at least 2 migraines / month) and have tried basically everything on this list. I would add deep belly breathing as a good way to oxygenate the brain and relieve pain. I also HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend seeing an acupuncturist. I actually just got back from seeing mine and since I started seeing her have not had one since. I'm super impressed. Thanks !
    Reply
    • Charlie
      May 5, 2015 · 8:13AM:
      I'm so sorry you suffer from migraines too. I've got my acupuncture appointment in 2 weeks- I can't wait!
      Reply
  • Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
    May 4, 2015 · 4:08PM:
    Hi Anne and Charlie! Anne, hope you enjoy your trip. And Charlie, great post! While I do get regular headaches, I have found they haven't been bad in a long time. I've always known about hydration, sleep, exercise and yoga, but have never thought to add cherries, magnesium or buckwheat. Great tips! Headaches are the worst, but I know that sometimes they only happen during certain phases of our life, so let's hope that's true! Have an awesome headache-free day!
    Reply
    • Charlie
      May 5, 2015 · 8:14AM:
      I hope so too! Thanks so much Ashley!
      Reply
  • Eva @ All Books Considered
    May 4, 2015 · 4:12PM:
    I find that acupuncture really works but these are all great tips!
    Reply
    • Charlie
      May 5, 2015 · 8:14AM:
      Thanks Eva, I have my first acupuncture session in 2 weeks so keeping my fingers crossed!
      Reply
      • Eva @ All Books Considered
        May 5, 2015 · 12:11PM:
        ENJOY! It's my favorite thing in the world and I promise it does not hurt!!
        Reply
  • Alisha @ Real Girl Running
    May 4, 2015 · 11:27PM:
    Thanks Charlie - that's a great article! I used to suffer from migraines but (fingers crossed) I haven't had one for a couple of years now. I'm not sure exactly what change in my life made the most impact, but quite a few of your suggestions ring true for me - especially regular exercise, which has helped me a lot. I personally also think eating much cleaner generally, focusing on whole, natural foods, and reducing my sugar intake, has definitely contributed to my reduction in headaches.
    Reply
    • Charlie
      May 5, 2015 · 2:56AM:
      Thank you, glad you enjoyed it, and so pleased that your headaches have improved. I totally agree that less processed foods, less sugar and exercise help!
      Reply
  • Kai
    May 5, 2015 · 9:43AM:
    Why thank you very much for this!
    Reply
  • Tara | Treble in the Kitchen
    May 5, 2015 · 11:06AM:
    This is so great! I am a headache sufferer, and I typically go to the water, yoga, and massaging the area remedies. I am going to have to check out the basil oil! I haven't heard of that one!!!
    Reply
  • Emily @ More Than Just Dessert
    May 5, 2015 · 12:03PM:
    Great post! I have had chronic headaches ever since starting my job as a professor last August...I know I have to stare at a computer screen more so now than before, so I have been attributing it to that...but I am definitely going to try some of these tips! Also, I've also been curious on what the difference is between a normal headache and a migraine?
    Reply
  • Hannah Siegmund @ThisVeganWhimsy
    May 5, 2015 · 9:29PM:
    I'm so glad to see this post! I used to get terrible migraines that made me so dizzy I could barely walk. Sleep, drinking a lot of water, and avoiding my triggers are all things that helped me greatly, but I'm always looking for new ideas of how to avoid headaches! Thank you for sharing
    Reply
  • Susan May 7, 2015 · 5:23PM:
    Hmmm reading you have varying degrees of headaches most days of the week sounds like I used to be. I actually found out I have a food intolerance (for me it's gluten and apples) and ruling those foods out almost completely got rid of headaches for me. I had a constant buzzing in my head that always caused pain and that went away completely. I just wanted to pass that on in case you want to investigate that. What I learned was that everyone's bodies processes foods differently and for me those foods weren't being processed at all. Rather they were being withheld and nutrients were flushing out, causing symptoms of malnutrition and headaches every day. My neurologist said that it's not normal to have headaches that often and that there's always an underlying cause.
    Reply
  • Janine May 10, 2015 · 12:46AM:
    Thanks for the comprehensive article! I would also suggest getting tested for a vitamin D deficiency. A friend mentioned that he had experienced severe symptoms, one of which was headaches, that his doctor later diagnosed as the result of a vitamin D deficiency. Having experienced worsening headaches for the past two years, which coincided with spending a lot of time inside at a desk job, I starting taking a vitamin D supplement, and my headaches have reverted to an occasional occurrence.
    Reply
  • Kelli Gardener
    September 11, 2018 · 8:46AM:
    Running seems to be the cure for everything I have. But you have some brilliant points there and will use them! Thanks!
    Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

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