The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
5 HTP
Posted by Stefanie (Minden, Louisiana) on 07/17/2008
★★★★★
I found this remedy when I was looking for herbal remedies for my daily headaches. I found 5-HTP. According to the article,some of the things it helped with are insomnia, headaches, anxiety & depression. I thought could it be? I immediately went to my husband to show him what I had found because he had problems sleeping at night as well. We went a few days later to our local drug store and picked up a bottle of 50mg. 5-HTP. We had decided on the lowest dosage available in our area, upping the dosage as we went along if it was necessary. We have only been on it for a few days now but there is a very noticeable difference. We both have been sleeping through the night and feeling more refreshed when we wake. My anxiety attacks are gone as well as my headaches. We both are much less snappish than what we were before. We haven't noticed any side effects so far. We are taking them with a meal or a small snack and so far we have stayed at 50mg. Thanks for the very useful information that lead to this discovery!
Latex Pillow
Posted by Stella (USA) on 06/21/2008
★★★★★
re: Stiff Neck and Headaches. If you have a constant issue with bad pillows as I have had then a Latex Pillow may be the answer.I have invested so much money in bad pillows. I've tried all makes and models, then I finally bought 100% latex pillow. Wow! it's a dream come true, It's not too high, not too low, It's very cushy and doesn't bottom out, which means no more stiff necks and morning headaches. I never cared for memory foam, but I love latex.
Apples
Posted by Teresa (Fort Worth, TX) on 03/22/2008
★★★★★
Last week after using ALOT of an over-the-counter pain aid(this particular one never works for me but that's all we have at my job) I felt really drawn to eating a green granny smith apple I had brought with me. I ate it slowly over the course of 30-45 minutes and by the time I was through with it my headache was gone! The ONLY thing that had ever worked for me before was a different over-the-counter pain aid. I am extactic about my apple-cure discovery. Oh, let me add that the headache hasn't even tried to come back either. That headache had been coming and going for three days. Yeah!
Navratna Oil
Posted by Paa (Pleasanton, CA) on 11/27/2007
★★★★★
Navratna oil: I've recently experienced the benefits of this oil and would highly recommend it to anyone for relieving stress, headaches and body aches. I massaged the oil on my scalp (especially the center of the top of the head) and within minutes felt a cool sensation (like an air conditioner was turned on inside me) spread across my head. My shoulder and head aches disappeared, I felt stress dissolving and I slept well that night. It helped relieve my brother's headache when I tried it on him. You can find it online or in most Indian or Ayurvedic stores. It touts other cures as well, but I only listed the ones that I can testify to.
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Leslie (Dayton, OH) on 05/30/2007
★★★★★
I get frequent headaches all the time and I was complaining to a co-worker about having them. She suggested that I try cayenne pepper (crush up the capsules) and snort a little in each nostril.I was sk eptical and never tried it until a month later. I had another headache and the same co-worker asked me if I tried the cayenne pepper. I told her that I had not tried it yet. I pulled the capsules out of my purse and thought: "Why not try it." The next thing I knew I was snorting cayenne pepper at my desk and within minutes my headache disappeared. I did experience burning in my nostrils for at least 15 minutes (only use a small amount). Some of the pepper went down my throat which was okay with me because I have stomach trouble. The point is-is that the cayenne pepper worked. If I ever get another headache, I will definately use this remedy again!!!
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Kj (Dc, Wash) on 06/17/2010
★★★★★BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
I have to say that the cayenne pepper worked, but it burned like HELL!!!!!! I WON'T be doing this again! I spent the last 10 minutes running around the house screaming like a maniac for water. I think next time, I'll just use aspirin.
Gatorade
Posted by Jacob (Church Point)
★★★★★
Drink two glasses of gatorade whenever you have a headache. I'm not sure how that works but I have tested it out on myself and it's true, it does work. If anyone finds out how gatorade helps against headaches, please e-mail me, I've been longing to know
Gatorade
Posted by Fayefaye (Portland, Maine) on 12/08/2012
★★★★★
From what I understand it's dehydration. Gatorade helps me too with dehydration headaches. Gatorade is filled with electrolytes wich help the body rehydrate! Good one! I've had a headache now for three days and I know I've been dehydrated and forgot about the wonders of electrolytes! Coconut water is a great natural alternative.
Gatorade
Posted by Marcia (pulaski, WI)
★★★★★
I tried gatorade on the advice of a personal training client. The theory is that certain migraine headaches, particularly those following exercise, may be the result of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. I found that within 20 mins. nearly all of my symptoms subsided, with none of the drowsiness or nausea usually felt.
Gatorade
Posted by Yeshuaspalm (Rancho Mirage, Ca) on 10/17/2009
I too used to drink Gatorade often for headache or fatigue or just feeling really ill. However gatorade is not the healthiest drink so I tried instead:
1/4-1/2 tsp. Sea salt (celtic seems to need less)
and 1/4 of a lemon or sea salt plus 1 tsp molaasses or raw honey
stir into 8 ounces of cool water
Molasses is rich in minerals as is the sea salt and honey is full of medicinal qualities...If I believe I am more dehydrated I will try the molasses or honey first and if I believe I am toxic I will use the lemon.
Avoid Air Conditioning
Posted by Diane (AL) on 06/22/2021
★★★★★
COLD AIR CONDITIONING... My husband keeps our house at 68, with ceiling fans. My headaches started and then it got worse. Couldn't think or remember where I was going. When I would work outside in the garden, in the heat, the headaches would go away. One night at 1am it was so cold I went and got in my car and turn the heat on. The headache went away. It affected our dog, he was having problems breathing. I also, netted my nose with peroxide and water. It's getting much better. If I go to a building, like today at my vets. It was cold, my head started hurting. The woman next to me said the same thing. We went outside and waited. This is what worked for me.
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.
Breathing Technique
Posted by Vve (Los Angeles, CA) on 09/03/2014
★★★★★
It worked!! Thank you SO much!!!
Breathing Technique
Posted by Katydid (Houston, Tx) on 06/07/2016
★★★★☆
The breathing technique helped. Although not cured, and the nostril part increased my headache. (I have one that is worse on the left side of my head for some reason, and blocking the right side of my nostrils made it super bad, so I stopped! ) But I did the other exercises a second time and there is definite improvement. Thank you!
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Mindy (Temple, Pennsylvania, United States) on 02/07/2013
★☆☆☆☆
After having the worst headache ever, I tried doing a shot of cayenne pepper and water, well that was a BIG mistake! I've done shots of cayenne before (with garlic and lemon for colds) and it usually helped, but this time it burned so bad and I was coughing so much that my headache got WORSE! Maybe works for some, but just beware, I will not make that mistake again! :(
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Art (Vancouver Bc, Canada) on 02/07/2013
Dear Mindy. We are our own worst enemy when trying to self medicate. We all make mistakes and learn from them. I usually put some Vicks Ointment on the headache and rub it in. I find it works well and can be washed off in the morning.
art.
Acupressure
Posted by Kelly (San Francisco, Ca) on 11/02/2011
★★★★★
I've found that pressure helps, too, actually in conjunction with hot and cold packs.
Headache Triggers - Barometric Pressure
Posted by Susana (Creston, North Carolina) on 10/28/2011
★★★★★
I get frequent headaches/nausea and I am beginning to wonder if they are triggered by barometric pressure changes, as I live in the mountains of NC where weather changes a lot. Can anyone address this and what might help me with this sensitivity?
Water
Posted by Lucky Mama (Chicagoish, Illinois) on 05/04/2011
★★★★★
Your child may just be thirsty! The first thing I do when I feel a headache coming on (which is almost never as I eat well and stay very hydrated) is drink at least one huge glass of water. It may take several glasses to catch up. If your pee isn't clear you are dehydrated. Often after sleeping all night is when we are most dehydrated. Please try this. I hope it helps!
Headache Triggers - Bowel Issues
Posted by Brooke (Montgomery, Tx, Usa) on 12/08/2010
★★★★★
I think that MOST headaches have to do with your bowels. When the poisons leak out of stopped up bowels, you get headaches. If you get colonics and take enemas and also add to your diet castoria and syrup of figs, then that may help you tremendously. Hope this helps all of you that have headaches. I do not get them because I have always eaten a diet rich in figs, dates, fiber and things that push stool out easily. I also do castor oil packs and I get a colonic about once every 6 months.
Acupressure
Posted by Sarah (Briarcliff Manor, Ny) on 02/15/2010
Not only does this work, but it's been enhanced with the use of a device known as the Cryotron, only some dr's have it so far, but it works great!
Cayenne Pepper
Posted by Susana (Creston, North Carolina) on 02/10/2012
I'm laughing so hard I have tears running down my face, almost as severe as when I snort cayenne pepper!!! Yes, thanks for the belly laugh--what a great remedy for a headache! I find the cayenne pepper brings temporary relief only. I have concluded that my sinus headaches are about irritation and believe that practicing mindfulness about life's irritations help me reduce the number and severity of these irritations. What did help recently was applying a few drops of peppermint oil to a tissue and relaxing while breathing it for the hours it took for the headache to finally go away.
Acupressure
Posted by Ed (Boston, Massachusetts) on 12/15/2009
★★★★★
Massage cured my headaches
I began having headaches, often debilitating ones, and even a migraine, the day after a bout of vertigo. I went to several doctors and tried all sorts of remedies over several very trying weeks, to no avail. Finally I went to a neurologist who figured out that I was having "tension headaches" caused by tightness in my neck and shoulders. The tightness was likely a way to avoid the vertigo. Within minutes of massage and gentle head movements to relax the muscles, the headaches melted away. The immediacy of the result was stunning. I followed up with several professional massages.
Magnesium
Posted by Lisa (Coto de Caza, CA) on 03/29/2009
★★★★★
For 15 years I had daily chronic headaches with an occasional migraine. I saw many DR's and "headache specialists". Most wanted to put me on anti-seisure meds with horrible side effects. At one point, I was on mobic(prescription pain killer) and muscle relaxants, and sometimes the very popular anti-migraine meds.
I found a "alternative medicine" center in So. Cal. who put me on a Myers' Cocktail IV with additional Magnesium. Within a few days of the IV magnesium, my headaches are gone. It's such a relief! Unfortunaltly, I have to do an IV about once a month or they come back. One side effect is that I'm very relaxed and a little sleepy afterwards. Note: I've taken LOTS of magnesium pills with no help, and have cut out all MSG and other triggers.
White Willow Bark
Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 03/20/2015
★★★★★
Dear Mary,
I have used White Willow Bark over the years on and off. No one in my family has ever had a side effect. But of course, that does not mean there are no side effects. Everyone is different. Some cautions that I read about in my Herb reference books are the following:
Mark Penderson, author of Nutritional Herbology, reports of at least one instance of someone finding it to be too harsh for his stomach. At the same time, Philip Fritchey, in Practical Herbalism, explains why it is gentler on the stomach than aspirin.
Philip Fritchie, in his book, Practical Herbalism, cautions that anyone with an aspirin allergy should probably avoid White Willow because it contains Salicin, which is the precursor to acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin.)
Because of the risk of Reye's disease, aspirin is not recommended for children with the flu or chicken pox. For that reason, it may be wise to not give children white willow any time aspirin would not be recommended.
I would tend to think that because aspirin thins the blood and should not be taken prior to surgery, white willow could have the same effect. But I do not find any information that says it does. In fact, Philip Fritchey, in his book, Practical Herbalism, lists it as a remedy for internal bleeding. But I would tend to err on the side of caution and not use it a couple of weeks prior to surgery.
I hope all of that does not sound scary or intimidating. White Willow is considered very safe, and we have found it to be so. Humbart Santillo, author of Natural Healing with Herbs, offers no cautions in his description of White Willow.
~Mama to Many~
Water
Posted by Amber (Portland, Oregon) on 03/27/2009
★★★★★
This one is so simple, I often forget how well it works. I too, have had success with drinking lots of water upon getting a headache. I've also used it for general aches in the body, or stomachaches. I got the idea after reading about 'The Water Cure' which generally stated that almost any ailment can be helped by drinking lots and lots of water. So far when I've remembered to try this, it has worked.
I've also had some successes with doing just a little bit (5-10 minutes or so) of cardio exercise for getting rid of headaches, although it sure isn't tempting to do it when the pain is on! But you would be surprised. Do not, however, attempt this if you believe you may be coming down with a cold or other illness; in that case, let your body rest.
Water
Posted by Jc (siafulinux) (Savannah, Georgia) on 04/21/2011
★★★★★
I discovered a couple of years ago that whenever I got a headache and I drank a few cups of water, it almost always went away. I've been doing that ever since. I rarely get headaches these days since I try to drink at least 12 cups a day now.
