By The Green Parent

02nd September 2013

If you’re trying to rid your family from chemicals, including the prescription variety, your usual ibuprofen/paracetamol combo isn’t working or you’re pregnant and would prefer not to take any medicated pain relief at all, you may find yourself struggling to cope with a headache and no idea how to relieve it. Fortunately, there is a wide variety of natural pain relief available in the natural world. Mother nature knows how to take care of us, we’ve just become a little too dependent upon modern medicine.

By The Green Parent

02nd September 2013

By The Green Parent

02nd September 2013

But, with a little know-how, you’ll soon find that you very rarely need to turn to your doctor for pain relief.

Headaches can be debilitating. Whether you suffer with regular migraines or you’ve suddenly been struck down with a severe headache, you’ll no doubt be looking for fast and effective relief. The way we approach headaches is two-fold: prevention and cure. The manner in which we tackle this depends upon the cause.

• Dehydration. This can occur through loss of water and electrolytes, which are key to a healthy and fully functional body. To avoid dehydration it is important to drink plenty of water and to eat foods that have naturally high water content, such as fruits and vegetables. Once dehydration has set in, water alone may not be enough to cure the headache particularly in the case of lost electrolytes which occurs most commonly with stomach bugs. To replace lost electrolytes, try making your own natural electrolyte drink from honey, water, lemon juice and salt. Check out this recipe: cheekybumsblog.com

• Tension headaches. These are the most common form of headache and can feel like a pressure in your head, particularly around the temples. Tension heachaches can also affect the neck areas and are caused by a range of issues such as stress and poor posture. Whilst we can take measures to reduce stress and sit properly at a computer, it isn’t always possible to avoid. If you’re suffering from a tension headache, there are a few home remedies you can try. Mixing a little turmeric into some warm water is said to work as well as some COX-2 inhibitors. If that doesn’t float your boat, a nice steamy bath with Epsom salts and a nice massage should take the edge off a little.

• Sinusitis/Sinus Heachaches. Whether you’re suffering as a result of a virus, allergies or a random blockage the pain of sinusitis can range from irritating to unbearable. With the obvious course of action being to take care of your health and diet to avoid unnecessary illness and allergic reactions, it can be tricky to know what you are actually allergic to. If you experience a few chronic health complaints and have known allergies, an elimination diet with particular focus on cutting refined grains, can help to improve health generally. When dealing with sinus pain, Epsom salt baths have been shown to provide relief along with regular steaming with hot water and a few drops of peppermint oil. Supplementing with Apple Cider Vinegar is also widely recommended for helping to boost the immune system to clear the infection/reaction quickly.

• Migraines. If you’ve ever had a migraine, you’ll know that there’s a short window of time between the onset of symptoms and the arrival of the pain. Magnesium deficiency has been found in a large number of people who suffer with migraines and cluster headaches and infusion has been shown to relieve the pain of an attack. However, daily supplementation has also been shown to reduce their frequency by almost half. Alongside supplementing with the popular and medically respected feverfew plant, migraine suffers can also try to include more omega-3 fats in their diet and cut gluten in order to reduce inflammation which is a common factor in many repeat migraine conditions.

Please note: If in doubt, or you have any lingering health concerns please consult with your GP/naturopath. This advice should not be taken in place of that of a registered medical professional. If you experience a reaction to any natural remedy, discontinue use immediately and consult with your GP/alternative practitioner.

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