Home Remedies for Headaches

Some headache remedies you can try at home include inhaling the steam of boiling apple cider vinegar and honey, applying heat to the back of the neck, and applying ice to your head when you first notice the pain. In most cases, headaches are minor and do not indicate any serious medical problem. However, if you notice things such as a sudden, severe headache or headaches associated with a fever or convulsions, they could be a sign of something serious.

An Overview of Home Remedies for Headaches

The list of home headache remedies is long. Yet, it is not known how effective (if at all) these remedies are. This is because they have not been scientifically tested. However, these home remedies are also unlikely to cause any harm. So if you don't want to reach for the medicine cabinet, you can try a home remedy for headaches. The following is a list of home headache remedies that you can try:
 
  • Applying ice to your head when you first notice pain, but making sure not to put the ice directly on your head. You can wrap ice or a bag of frozen vegetables in a towel.
     
  • Applying heat to the back of the neck. Heat can loosen up the muscles that tighten with tension headaches. Try a hot shower, bath, or heating pad.
     
  • Lying down in a dark room.
     
  • Boiling honey and apple cider vinegar and inhaling the steam.
     
  • Stirring 1 to 2 teaspoons of lavender leaves in a cup of boiling water, and then cooling the mixture. Drink it three times daily.
     
  • Pouring hot water (as hot as possible) into a bowl, dipping your hands into the bowl, and then taking them out. Repeat 10 times.
     
  • Slicing peeled cucumbers and putting them on your forehead.
     
  • Blanching five to seven rosemary leaves in a boiling cup of water, adding honey, waiting three minutes, and then drinking the mixture.
     
  • Pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1 to 2 teaspoons of marjoram, waiting for 5 to 10 minutes, and then drinking the mixture.
     
  • Drinking one or two cups of peppermint tea.
     
  • Trying some other common herbs that may help your headaches, such as feverfew (see Feverfew for Migraines) and valerian. Be sure to check the labels and ask your healthcare provider about any herbs that he or she can recommend.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
 
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