Many of us don’t think twice about taking painkillers when our head is throbbing, but these over-the-counter ‘headache sweeties’ as my friend likes to call them, are far from benign substances. Here are some natural headache cures that you can try first.

Did you know 24,000 women a year in Britain are admitted to hospital suffering side effects from
paracetamol?

These over-the-counter drugs have been linked to gastric ulcers and liver damage. In a 2009 German study, researchers found that drug-induced liver-toxicity (particularly from acetaminophen aka paracetamol/Tylenol) has replaced viral hepatitis as the most frequent cause of acute liver failure.

So where do you turn when a headache looms? Try these options first.

Peppermint Oil

Mix three drops on your fingers and rub directly onto the back of your neck or near your temples for instant analgesia.

Once reserved for Mother’s Day Gift Sets, essential oils are emerging as powerful natural medicine. University of Kiel researchers found that peppermint blocked headache pain in a double-blind placebo-controlled study. 

Word of warning; do not put this oil near your eyes (it will sting) and I don’t recommend rubbing on your belly if you are pregnant, as it is very strong; although it is safe to use as previously described in pregnancy.

Magnesium Bath

Magnesium deficiency can increase the likelihood of headaches and taking magnesium daily has been shown to help prevent headaches (1). It’s also true that once a headache has set in, soaking in a magnesium bath is one of the best therapies you can do.

Magnesium is best absorbed transdermally; through the skin. Add 450g magnesium flakes to a bath and soaking for 20 minutes helps to relieve muscular tension and can sometimes shift overwhelming pain to background noise. My favourite brand is Ancient Minerals magnesium. For those who don’t have a bath I also like Elektra Magnesium Cream.

Coffee Enemas

Pain and headaches frequently come up in my health coaching practice and I regularly recommend (and talk people through) coffee enemas. Dr. Max Gerson, a German physician, made coffee enemas famous when he published reports on their benefit for cancer patients.

However, he originally used enemas to cure his own migraines. Coffee enemas can help reduce inflammation, detox the liver and increase levels of glutathione – known as the mother of all antioxidants.

I have tried this remedy for headaches (and hangovers) in the past and all I can say is that it worked for me. Although it is important to note that it is not recommended during pregnancy. For those interested, you can find directions here.

I hope these ideas for natural headache cures has given you some alternatives to try next time you have a headache or a migraine!

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507271/