Headache remedies

I'll quote this directly from a reader's letter to the People's Pharmacy column in today's paper. It has to do with migraines, but perhaps it will be helpful to you, too.

"The best thing I've found is ginger. Jamaican-style ginger beer is good, though rather sweet; the pickled ginger sold with sushi is a godsend. I sometimes make a tea of mint, chamomile, sassafras (which one grandmother called "the headache bark"), cinnamon sticks, cloves and a bit of valerian. I add grated fresh ginger when preparing the tea. It's not a cure, but it helps--as does ginger, a warmed buckwheat-filled pack along my back and shoulders, and ice packs on my temples and forehead."

I'm pretty sure People's Pharmacy, written by Joe and Teresa Graedon, has its own website.

Scooterbug, that sucks! Here are some more remedies:

-pure essential oil of lavender sometimes helps (I put a couple of drops on temples, occipital region)-but you might want to test small area on your arm to make sure you are not reactive to it
-pinching really hard on the fleshy part of your hand between thumb and index finger with the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand - slightly rotating the "pinching fingers" - this stimulates a reflexology point
-sometimes wearing a T-back bra gives some people bad headaches - FYI
-get a massage - someone who does craniosacral massage, specifically - worked wonders for me

Good luck!

Instant help for all my headaches:

Excedrine Migraine. It's just like Excedrine, but it has caffeine in it. It always helps.

Nasal saline. This time of year, a shot up each nostril usually has an instantaneous effect. If you don't have any, you can simply snort tepid water up your nose. (Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but it works. Dry nasal cavities will cause a killer headache.)

Peppermint oil. It's not the cooking kind--the kind you get at the health food store. 100% pure essential oil. Put a dot on your temples and the base of your skull. Be sure you wash your hands afterward, and don't put it on your temples if you think you might sweat it off--that stuff will burn your eyes. This isn't as effective as caffeine or nasal saline, but it does help.

Is there something in the air?

I'm on day 2 of a splitting headache, and none of my usual remedies are working. I'm hydrated, took a decongestant just in case it was sinus, have had both food and coffee, and am pretty stress free thanks to my brilliant policy of hiding from this week's hell tourists.

I got desperate the other day and bought "Head On" - you know - apply directly to the forehead, apply directly to the forhead, etc. etc. Don't bother wasting you money on this one.

-pinching really hard on the fleshy part of your hand between thumb and index finger with the thumb and index finger of your opposite hand - slightly rotating the "pinching fingers" - this stimulates a reflexology point

This really does work. I used to do this to my son when he was much younger and got migraines. To this day, he still uses this technique when necessary. It is important to start asap when you feel one coming on. It will take 10 - 15 minutes of pressure.

Good luck.

Less beer on Monday night?

I just make sure to maintain an even blood alcohol level, when it dips too low, that's when the headaches set in. ;-)

No, that's not it. I still haven't gone to the grocery store so casa scooterbug (while not dry) didn't have enough liquor to cause a hangover/headache.

Nap in a darkened room? Is it a possibility?

The peppermint or lavender oils work on temples. The peppermint works by dialating the blood vessels, which helps relieve the pressure. I've also used the pinching between the thumb & forefinger, too.

The only product that ever helps me was a headache homeopathy product from B&H that I got a long, long time ago in GA. Somehow, motrin, tylenol, etc. makes me groggy.

Okay, I know it sounds stupid, but I heard this somewhere and it seemed like a reliable source.

When feeling a headache coming on close your eyes and literally think "shutup!" to your own brain. 90% of the time for myself it works and the headache is gone within a few minutes.

Is there something in the air?

I'm on day 2 of a splitting headache, and none of my usual remedies are working. I'm hydrated, took a decongestant just in case it was sinus, have had both food and coffee, and am pretty stress free thanks to my brilliant policy of hiding from this week's hell tourists.

beer works...usually 2 will do...kinda like aspirin

Is there something in the air?

I'm on day 2 of a splitting headache, and none of my usual remedies are working. I'm hydrated, took a decongestant just in case it was sinus, have had both food and coffee, and am pretty stress free thanks to my brilliant policy of hiding from this week's hell tourists.

I have had a headache also for the past few days....hmmmmmmmm...maybe something is in the air....((have you been drinking tap water perhaps?))

If there was something so wrong w/ the tap water it made ME sick, Sowal would be on the news for an epidemic ala Alamosa! ;-)

Thank you for all the suggestions, still have a minor headache, but much better!

Tried the hand pinching, lavender/chamomile scents, and loved that someone thought I was well endowed enough that my bra construction style could cause physical issues! :rofl:

- FYI
-get a massage - someone who does craniosacral massage, specifically - worked wonders for me

Good luck!

Craig Bowlen at Calhoun Chiropractic is a master at craniosacral massage. He just got back from a seminar in Austria and I have missed him!!

I got desperate the other day and bought "Head On" - you know - apply directly to the forehead, apply directly to the forhead, etc. etc. Don't bother wasting you money on this one.

I got desperate the other day and bought "Head On" - you know - apply directly to the forehead, apply directly to the forhead, etc. etc. Don't bother wasting you money on this one.

Did you take the cap off?