Natural Remedies for Headache Relief

Homeopathic Remedies

Posted by Amber (Portland, Oregon) on 03/27/2009
★★★★★

I've been using Hyland's homeopathic Headache remedy for the past year, and it's worked wonders on almost every headache I've had in that time. I will be pursuing even more simplistic remedies for headaches as well as prevention that I see listed on this site, but I believe that Homeopathics are natural and 'folk' remedies for the most part. They are a useful compliment to herbs, vitamins, and other natural healing methods. And they are also very convenient to take in a purse or when traveling.

Cayenne Pepper

Posted by Sara (Aurora, CO) on 02/25/2009
★★★★★

Cayenne pepper in hot water for headache: I was reading through here because I had a sinus headache from the day before and nothing was helping. I gulped 1/8 of a tsp of Cayenne Peppe r(wasn't brave enough to sniff it up my nose ;D) in hot water, then I swished with cold water and swallowed that too. Took a couple of very deep breaths.(not too hard to do when your mouth is on fire.) And the headache is gone less than 2 minutes later. Even the ache-y-ness in my body is gone!

I <3 Earth Clinic!

Apples

Posted by Carmel (London, England) on 10/02/2012

Maybe the reason the apple helped is because it is one of the main carriers of quercetin, which helps to stop inflammation and inflammation is often the cause of headaches. Other foods which help a lot with inflammation are onions - red are best - blackberries - brocolli, cranberry juice, spinach, cherry tomatoes (they are better because it is ther skins that help) lettuce. Red vein leaves, sweet potato, citrus fruits, grapes (black are best), oats, whole grains and seeds. Headaches can be caused by inflammation and it can be temporal arteritis adn many people mistake it for sinusitis. I kept taking steroids and anti biotics for headaches which I was told and assumed were caused by sinusitis yet whenever I stopped taking the steroids it was just as bad as before. I now have changed my diet and I also take herbs etc to help with the inflammation. Apart from the headaches it can cause confusion, bad memory (after all it is about blood flow around the brain) and if it gets really bad and is not treated it can cause a stroke.

Lemons

Posted by Ed (Santa Clarita, CA) on 02/04/2008
★★★★★

Lemons or Limes with Salt and Pepper" remedy for headaches. My wife gets headaches and often, and we have concluded that she gets 2 types of headaches, one caused by her neck/back injury and the other cause is unknown. When the headache is caused by her neck/back, the pain begins in her neck/back and eventually spreads to her head. Usually from sleeping in a poor position, or being at the computer too long, and sometimes it just seems to start for no reason. The only remedy we have found for headaches that begin from the neck/back is painkillers and ice packs on the forehead/temples, which doesn't work very well.

However, sometimes she gets headaches that do not begin from the neck/back, and we have tried the heated lemon with salt and pepper remedy, and it has worked. 4 our of the last 6 headaches did not begin from the neck/back, and it cleared up those 4 within a matter of 5-20 minutes. She has never had a headache last only 20 minutes in the last 7 years, usually they last 12-36 hours, so we know the lemon was the remedy. The other 2 headaches that it didn't work for had began in the neck/back. So I would say that so far it has worked 100% of the time for her headaches that did not begin from the neck/back injury.

She tried the apple cider vinegar, but it didn't work for her headaches. But we now take it daily for all the other potential health benefits.

Thanks earthclinic!

Garlic

Posted by Beverly (Willsboro, New York) on 08/23/2007
★★★★★

I have started taking garlic tablets EVERY DAY Because in the past I have had over the period of 2 yrs flashing bright lights, like lightening) in front of my eyes. Even when I put my head under a pillow I still saw them, and it was very scarey. I went to a nuerologist and had a cat scan of my brain, his conclusion was' he said I have the side effects of a migraine with out the headaches. Well, since taking one garlic tablet every day, I am very excited to say, that I have had NO problems for about 4 years. So of course I told the Doctor. He didn't say much,I guess he was skeptic.

Cayenne Pepper

Posted by Jack (Toledo, ohio, USA) on 04/01/2007
★★★★★

I've read over the different headache remedies and especially the one from Stascee from Rexburg Id. Hers is "VERY TYPICAL" of the many many people who I gave the Canynne Pepper to and told them how to to it, Just a week or so ago I told the cashier at my my bank how to do it and later she told me, "My husband thought I was nuts" but in 5 minutes my pain was gone "So how cares what he thinks"!...God Bless all.....

Acupressure

Posted by Susan (USA) on 02/03/2007
★★★★★

For headaches, my acupuncturist suggested massaging the bottom of the feet -- probe around til you find the most painful, tender spots, and rub them. I've stopped several headaches, including a migraine, as well as vertigo, using this method.

Cayenne Pepper

Posted by Stacee (Rexburg, ID) on 01/17/2007
★★★★★

Wow! This works so well! I have spent the last 4 days in be with strep that even antibiotics hadn't seemed to help. I was taking everything I could think of to make it go away. My throat remained swollen and painful. After not being able to crawl out of bed for 4 days I drug myself to the computer and found this site. I tried your cayenne pepper remedy and it was instant relief! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! I can actually swallow now with out feeling like my head will explode. After not getting any sleep because of the pain I am looking forward to getting a full night of sleep. Thanks again for the great cure! PS the cayenne also worked on the migraine that I have had along with the strep, so I had 2 cures for the price of one!

Cold Showers

Posted by SP (NYC) on 09/11/2006
★★★★★

Cold water shower is simply amazing. I tried it today after reading the comments here. First few minutes I was shivering to death. I actually thought of turning the hot water. But I then after few minutes my body temperature got well adjusted to the cold water. It felt so good. I went in with a headache and came out so fresh and renewed. Thanks!

Raw Potatoes

Posted by Nare (Los Angeles, Ca) on 11/05/2012
★★★★★

This is SO funny because my mom told me this same remedy and I thought "momma you crazy! " but it works :D

Raw Potatoes

Posted by Yadi (Nj) on 06/22/2015
★★★★★

It actually works. My mom used to do it all the time for me when I suffered from severe migraines.

Tiger Balm

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 11/22/2025
★★★★★

Tiger Balm for Headache/Migraine Relief

Tiger Balm can provide temporary relief for tension headaches, which are sometimes associated with migraines, by being rubbed in a small amount on the temples and forehead. Its cooling sensation from ingredients like menthol and camphor may help ease pain, though it is not a cure for migraines. For best results, apply a small amount and rub in a circular motion, but avoid contact with eyes and broken skin.

Authors of a study from 1996 found that applying Tiger Balm to the forehead/temples/back of neck was more effective at relieving tension headaches than a placebo. It was almost as effective as taking acetaminophen (Tylenol).

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8839380/

Peppermint Oil

Posted by BECKIE (OR) on 01/15/2026

Thanks for the information. I love peppermint oil. It also works great for upset tummy.

I have gotten rid of a headache with lavender oil applied to the forehead. Works every time for me. Cheers.

DMSO

Posted by JKey (WI) on 12/07/2020

Any results on the DMSO and ACV....

DMSO

Posted by Anniem (Virginia ) on 07/20/2022

If it itches after application it is because it was not rubbed it until dry. Take at least 3 minutes to rub it in. If it still itches use less dmso and put a little coconut oil on the area if you can't tolerate the itching. No gloves are necessary, just wash your hands before and after.

Magnet

Posted by John (Atlanta, Ga ) on 03/21/2016
★★★★★

For headache or any other pain, get a very strong hematite magnet & place it wherever you have pain. Hold it there until the pain subsides which should be very soon.

Sungazing

Posted by Courtney (Texas) on 09/22/2015
★★★★★

I was having these dull headaches for months and pain relievers did not work well. Day after day I'd have a slight headache. I read about sungazing by accident and decided to try it. The first time I tried it I kept my eyes closed in the early morning. Almost immediately I felt this warmth enter my eyes and wash over my brain relieving the headache.

The ecstasy of having a slight headache disappear after months was wonderful. My mood improved and my energy increased as well as my physical strength. Thankfully I've never had glasses but both my parents did at my age and I have slightly better than 20/20 vision. I gaze for about 2 minutes with my eyes open now, but I do skip days if I'm busy. I think everyone should do research into this and consider trying it safely.

Ice Packs

Posted by Anonymous (Ohio) on 09/07/2015
★★★★★

For headaches:

Pure and simple use a ice pack or get a freezer bag and fill is with ice apply to temple or where the headache is head will feel like its freezing remove a few min. and the put back on for half to whole hour.

Drink a little warm green tea in conjunction with this. Hope it helps.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Jon (Australia) on 03/03/2015
★★★★★

Getting rid of Gluten from our diet stopped the recurring headaches. If some gluten is ingested the headache comes back. Try it for youself by going gluten-free for 2 weeks.

Lemons

Posted by Mindy (Temple, Pennsylvania, United States) on 02/07/2013
★★★★★

Often if I have a headache, I'll pour a generous amount of lemon juice on a paper towel and dab it or lay it on my forehead. I don't know why, but this usually helps lessen the headache or make it go away completely!

Dietary Changes

Posted by Mary (St. Petersburg, Florida, USA) on 02/23/2012
★★★★★

Hi Everyone, Last week I wrote in complaining of throbbing headaches and received very helpful responses. The first thing I did was remove MSG from my diet and the headaches ceased literally overnight. I am here to report that I am still HEADACHE FREE.

I went through my kitchen and cleaned out the canned/processed/added-chemical food items. I started shopping at stores where they maintain a meat department that offers fresh items, especially chicken. Frozen chicken has "broth" added. I found that there are very few canned items that are acceptable and without added chemical components. There is even added stuff in the simplest items like cream for the coffee. Why does simple cream need anything added? Did you know that it is illegal to sell "raw" milk or cream here in Florida? So unless you own a cow or goat you have to take what they sell in the stores.

One responder suggested considering an alkaline diet. I find that eliminating processed food items and switching to fresh makes great strides toward alkaline without really trying very hard. I still need to get some pH test strips and see how I am doing.

A big plus for alkalizing and eliminating MSG is that I eat less. I know the MSG makes you crave a particular food and we know MSG is in almost everything. That makes you crave almost everything. I have often wondered why, as a grown adult person, I could not control my food cravings. I thought something was wrong with me. I'm sure others have felt this way too. These last few days of being chemical free have been a real eye opener for me. Grown adult people are well able to control their food habits when they are not being influenced by brain-chemistry altering substances.

OK, and now the bonus points. I am sleeping better. I have been able to go to sleep at night and stay in the bed. That is not my usual. In the past I would always toss and turn, get up and down. Prowl around the house because I couldn't sleep, etc. Etc.. On and on. It is wonderful to be able to lay down and sleep peacefully.

Thanks again to all who responded to my questions.

Mary

Headache Triggers - Barometric Pressure

Posted by Louie (New Mexico) on 05/01/2016
★★★★★

Atmospheric pressure changes can have an enormous effect on your whole body. During a career of flying airliners, with pressure changes several times a day, it can be debilitating. The problem is that sinuses have very small drain holes that can be easily plugged with mucus. This traps a volume of air in your sinuses and when the atmospheric pressure rises or falls, creates pressure, negative or positive, in your sinuses that can cause a whole range of symptoms. Sometimes it just makes you feel tired and worn out; sometimes headaches; it may feel like your eyeballs or teeth are going to be pushed out of your head. Look at a picture of a skull to see how close your sinuses are to things you really don't want to be pushed on. Things it's like eyes, teeth, brain. The material between your sinuses and these other things is extremely thin. I have more than once had a dentist trying to inject Novocain in my gums, pop through into a sinus cavity and have the Novocain run out my nose. That's how thin it is and how easy it is for that pressure to push on surrounding things. The trick is keeping those little drain holes open.