Natural Headache Remedies Without Side Effects
At this time of year when allergies wreak havoc on your sinuses, headaches are common. Luckily, Chinese medicine has an arsenal of natural remedies to help soothe your aching head. Your Body Is Telling You Something
According to Chinese medicine, pain is your body’s signal that there is a blockage of energy and blood. Your body is asking you to notice, evaluate and change the behavior that caused this pain, such as an unhealthy diet. Natural healing methods are advisable because you avoid side effects and can increase awareness of the unique needs of your body.
Natural Headache Remedies
Nutrition
Our diet affects the energy flow in our body. What we eat ends up in our blood and meridians in the form of energy. Healthy eating habits help maintain a good flow of energy and blood to the head, thus preventing headaches. Common headache-causing culprits are sugar, wine, cheese and caffeine. For a food remedy, drink a glass of fresh carrot juice every 4 hours until the headache subsides.
Acupressure
Find the acupoint Valley of Harmony (LI-4) on yourself. It is in the fleshy web between the thumb and index finger on both hands. Apply steady pressure with the thumb of the opposite hand until you feel soreness. Hold for 2 minutes. Repeat on the other hand.
Find the acupoint Great Yang (Taiyang) which is in the indentation of the temples. Stimulate the point with the knuckles of your thumbs or the tips of your index fingers. Massage in a circular motion for 5 minutes.
Massage
Put five drops of lavender essential oil in a cup of warm water. Soak a small towel in the water, wring it dry, and place it on your forehead as a compress. Or, apply Tao of Wellness Tonic Oil (camphor, peppermint, eucalyptus, fennel, and wintergreen) to your forehead and gently massage in a circular motion.
Vitamins
B-complex vitamins contain pain-relieving properties and are crucial for energy production and a healthy nervous system. Vitamin B6 can be very effective for alleviating pressure headaches.