15 Instant Home Remedies to Get Rid of Headache Naturally

Most people will suffer from headaches at some point or another throughout their lives. While the majority of headaches are not harmful, some forms may indicate a serious underlying illness.  Now, there are two basic types of headaches, primary and secondary, which have been discussed below: 

1. Primary headaches are brought on by overactive or dysfunctional pain-sensitive brain tissue. A primary headache is not a sign of a serious condition. Here are some common causes of primary headaches:
   1. Migraine 
   2. Tension 
   3. Trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), such as cluster headache
   4. Exercise headache 
   5. Headache from alcohol
   6. Headache from lack of sleep, skipped meals or stress 
2. Secondary headaches, on the other hand, are much more complicated and intense. This type of headache is a sign of a condition that might cause the pain-sensitive nerves in the brain to become active. Here are some of the reasons responsible for these:
   1. Acute sinusitis
   2. Brain tumour
   3. Carbon monoxide poisoning
   4. Dehydration
   5. Dental problems
   6. Encephalitis 
   7. Hangovers
   8. High blood pressure 
   9. Certain medicines and/or their overdose 
   10. Panic attacks and panic disorder
   11. Pressure from tight headgear
   12. Stroke

If you are facing occasional headaches, trying home remedies is always better than seeking treatment.

Here, you might be curious to know what is the home remedy for headache/headaches. It mainly refers to taking measures at home for reducing the intensity of headaches without consulting a healthcare professional.

Here are some of the benefits of this kind of remedy for headaches.

1. Home remedies are much cheaper than professional treatments. 
2. You can seek these at your convenience. If you are having a headache late at night, a home remedy will be better to avoid the hassles of going out. 
3. These are also beneficial to avoid taking additional pills if you are under other medication. 
4. There are much lower risks of side effects in such remedies than in medication.

Now that you know the causes and the importance of home remedies, you must be curious to find out what are the home remedies for headaches. These are cheap and super convenient.

While most of these address headaches instantly, you can try the others if you are looking for long-term treatment for chronic headaches. Here is a list of instant home remedies for a headache that you can try at home.

1. Stay Hydrated: Inadequate hydration often causes headaches. Moreover, dehydration can disrupt your concentration and ability to work. Thus, you should consider drinking water at regular intervals to stay hydrated.
   It is helpful to reduce the duration of headaches and their intensity in most cases. Apart from water, you should also consider including more water-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet.
2. Try Hot or Cold Compresses: Placing a cold pack on the pressure points is one of the most commonly used home remedies for migraine headaches. You can also use ice cubes wrapped in a towel and place them on your forehead.
   Apart from that, using heat pads and hot compress can also be helpful here. You can also use a warm cloth on the area of pain if direct contact with the heat pad causes discomfort.
3. Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential mineral, capable of multiple functions like regulating blood sugar and transmitting the nerves. Medical research shows that a deficiency of magnesium can lead to migraine.
   Doctors find it to be a safe and effective way to reduce headaches. You can try magnesium-rich food like bananas, almonds and avocados or might take some supplements.
   However, you should be aware that magnesium supplements can have side effects like diarrhoea.
4. Get Some Rest: Excessive work pressure and its stress often lead to an intense headache. Thus, taking a break has been one of the most popular head pain home remedies.
   You need to completely get your mind off your work and simply lie down in a dark room for some time. Taking a nap can also help to reduce the intensity of the pain.
5. Maintain a Proper Sleep Cycle: If you are wondering what to do for a headache - home remedies are a must try, and the simplest of all is getting a night of good sleep.
   Having a healthy sleep cycle is essential to keep headaches under control, as sleep deprivation can cause headaches. On the other hand, getting excessive sleep can also trigger headaches.
   Thus, it is important to maintain a healthy sleep cycle, which is generally 7-9 hours of sleep per night. This sleep cycle will be beneficial to avoid sleep apnoea or headaches.
6. Apply Essential Oil: Essential oils can be another headache solution at home. Peppermint and lavender oils come with relaxing properties, which can be effective in easing out intense throbbing headaches.
   You can apply a small quantity of these oils to your temples and massage gently to calm down the pain. You can also diffuse it in a diffuser or simply apply it on your palms and inhale the scent.
7. Massage the Pressure Points: Applying pressure to the pressure points can be a great way to reduce headaches.
   Once you start experiencing intense and throbbing pain in your forehead, use your index fingers to apply gentle pressure on the temples and rub in a circular motion.
   Rubbing the spot in the base of the thumb can be helpful for 4 to 5 seconds before releasing it to reduce the intensity of the headache.
8. Ginger: A 2021 study shows ginger supplements can be a good head pain relief home remedy. Ginger roots come with multiple beneficial components, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances.
   You can take ginger supplements to reduce the intensity of migraine pain. Pure encapsulations ginger extract is a popular supplement which contains 500 mg of ginger root extract. It can be beneficial to reduce headaches.
9. Take a Hot Shower Bath: If you are wondering what is the home remedy for migraine headaches, a hot shower bath can be helpful.
   Washing your head with lukewarm water and letting it run down your neck and shoulder can be highly soothing when you are suffering from pain.
   The process helps to alleviate muscle tension while improving your blood circulation. It provides swift relief to headaches.
10. Try Relaxing Activities: Often, a headache is a result of stress and excitement. Thus, trying relaxing activities can be the best home remedy for headaches.
    One of the easiest activities is breathing in and out deeply, which can be done in any situation. You can try closing your eyes and meditating for some time alone in the room. Music therapy also helps to reduce the intensity of headaches.
11. Dim the Lights: Exposure to extremely bright or flickering light, including the light from the computer screen, can lead to headaches. Particularly, it affects those who suffer from chronic migraine attacks.
    Thus, you can consider dimming the lights in the room and closing the windows. It will help calm your nerves and reduce the pain. Moreover, you should wear sunglasses while going out in the sun.
12. Try Herbal Tea: You can add herbal tea to your diet when considering the best home treatment for headaches. It keeps you hydrated, while your body gets access to the benefits of the natural compounds in such tea.
    Some popular herbs like chamomile, peppermint and lavender can be effective in reducing headaches. Simply crush the herbs and add them to lukewarm water to prepare the tea. Else, you can buy tea options with infused herbs and directly prepare them.
13. Drink Some Caffeine: Are you trying to find out what home remedy is good for headaches? Sipping on beverages like tea or coffee that contain caffeine can help you reduce the intensity of headaches.
    Caffeine is known for improving mood and constricting blood vessels, which positively impact headaches. It can improve the effectiveness if you take medicines like ibuprofen or acetaminophen for headaches (under some medical supervision).
    However, you should avoid getting addicted to it, as its withdrawal can again lead to headaches.  
14. Try Herbal or Vitamin Supplements: Herbs like chamomile, curcumin and butterbur have shown promising effects in reducing headaches. For instance, Thorne Meriva-SF is a helpful supplement here for migraine patients.
    However, it is important to consider the opinions of doctors before taking these. B-complex vitamin supplements like pyridoxine (B6), riboflavin (B2), folate and B12 are also popular and well-liked treatments for headaches.
15. Practise Yoga: Yoga is known for reducing stress and tension, which can be beneficial when you are suffering from severe headaches. You can try some basic and simple yoga poses, like lying on the bed and extending your legs up the wall.
    Moreover, you can try placing a rolled-up towel on the mat and lying over it to support your spine.

If you are opting for home remedies over medical support for headaches, you must be cautious to avoid making any mistakes. Here are a few things you should keep in mind in this process:

1. Avoid taking any medicines, chemicals or herbal mixtures without consulting a doctor.
2. If you are trying out any recipe, ensure that the dosage is correct. Overdosing any herbs or medicines can have serious side effects. 
3. Take proper measures if you are trying something new. You should be able to contact a physician instantly if anything goes wrong.
4. Home remedies might not always work. You should therefore not completely rely only on these.
5. If you continue to face chronic headaches despite the home remedies, it will be mandatory to seek medical attention.

Usually, you can avoid medical treatment for a simple headache. However, neglecting it can lead to serious conditions, leading to severe migraine attacks. You should definitely consult a doctor if:

1. Headache is chronic and sudden with violent pain.
2. Pain is so intense that it causes a loss of vision or consciousness.
3. Headache makes you feel nauseous and causes vomiting.
4. Headache lasts for about 72 hours with less than 4 pain-free hours.

Thus, you can try the various home remedies for headaches listed in this article to handle pain without having to visit the healthcare centre. However, you must know these methods only provide instant relief. If you are experiencing chronic and intense headaches, make sure to visit a doctor and seek medical attention. 

So, are you still looking to get reliable medical support for treating headaches? You can consider HexaHealth. It is an evolving HealthTech platform with a huge network of hospitals located across India. Check out their website to learn more about the brand and access high-quality healthcare services at an affordable rate.