Natural Treatment of Headaches

Headache treatments began from the time humans first began to dabble in the medicinal arts. Many kinds of procedures, including home remedies and health supplements for the treatment of headaches, have been tried for centuries. The earliest known surgical procedure is thought to have been an attempt at headache treatment. This procedure became popular in the Middle Ages (along with comparably credible treatment such as leeches, humor balancing and flogging). This surgical procedure, called trepanning or trephining, involved digging a large hole in the head, which was thought to relieve the pressure causing the headache(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Headache.html).

Since then, science has come a long way though our knowledge of the brain, but methods of treating headaches are not always successful. Though there are plenty of drugs, health supplements and natural remedies for the treatment of headaches, the causes of headaches are still largely unknown.

Here we are referring to primary headaches, or those that are not caused by a basic medical condition. Secondary headaches can be signals of serious problems, thus any headache that is frequent, severe or followed by any other symptoms (vomiting, diarrhea sensitivity to light, dizziness, slurred speech etc) ought to be checked out by a physician. If you are unsure of whether your headaches require a trip to the doctor, take one there anyway.

The medical world has divided headaches into a lot of different categories. Though you may have your own expletive-laden terms, we will split headaches into two types for our purposes, and give some suggestions for supplements and natural solutions that may help alleviate and treat headache pain.

Tension headaches - These are the most ordinary and are usually caused by tension in the muscle of the scalp or neck. Poor posture, repetitive actions or overuse of the jaw muscles can all lead to excess strain, causing mild to moderate pain.

The best remedy for tension headaches is relaxation, and a hot bath or a cold pack on the neck can work. Slow and deep breathing is a good way to alleviate pain and relieve headaches(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Headache.html) as well.

Natural herbal health supplements for headaches(http://www.mitamins.com/disease/Headache.html) including chamomile, peppermint oil and lavender can all failitate the relaxation process and relieve headaches. Additionally, health supplements for headaches such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Pantothenic Acid play an important part in supporting functions in the head. Calcium and Magnesium can alleviate muscle tension. If you suspect you have been grinding your teeth throughout the night, supplements for headaches such as passionflower, hops and valerian may be effective in ensuring a headache-free, peaceful night's sleep.

Vasular headaches - This category includes migraine headaches, flu headaches, cluster headaches and premenstrual headaches. This type of headache is caused by dilation of the blood vessels around the head. It gets worse during physical activity, and some episodes can go on for days.

Besides pharmaceutical options, there are also some natural herbal health supplements known to be effective in the prevention and treatment of vascular headaches including: Feverfew, which can alleviate the inflammation in the brain; White Willow, a kind of natural analgesic; and Ginkgo Biloba which assists in maintaining peripheral circulation to the brain (although check with your doctor as some people's migraines become worse after using gingko biloba). It is important to find out the reason for your headache symptoms and either avoid the cause (such as red wine, aged cheese and tyramine-containing foods) or be prepared at the onset of certain conditions ( such as menstruation or bouts of flu).