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There are so many reasons for a headache, from the self-inflicted ghastliness of a hangover to the genuinely fearsome migraine (for which you may not have an answer), and these will be looked at under the relevant headings. There are early-morning headaches which can be caused by low blood suger level and are eased by taking a spoonful of honey and there are those headaches which many adults suffer from and which are only cured with an infection of capital, but the majority have their cause in other physical contitions such as colds, catarrh, constipation, cystitis, poor digestion, fatigue, allergic reaction (particularly to food and smell), semotional dramas, period problems, aches and pains, a fall or concussion, high or low blood pressure, strain and tension, wisdom teeth and specific illnesses.
The remedies found under those headings will hopefully relieve the condition and thus the headache. If you suddenly begin to suffer from persistent head aches which have no understandable cause – eye strain, using a V.D.U. without an anti – glare shield, too much sun – take professional advice without hesitation. If you feel headachy and ‘out of sorts’ cut out the obvious nasties: smoking, tea, coffee, chocolate, cheese, milk, red wine, brandy, Drink instead lots of good, clear water, especially carbonated mineral water.
In countries where too much sun is an ever-present problem a snake band around the head or worn as a hat band is still considered to have a function beyond the sartorial in keeping sun stroke and headaches at bay. If the cause of a headache is eye strain obviously one’s eyes should be tested but sore eyes can also be the cause so bathe them morning and night with either eyebright or cold boiled water. The smell of certain flowers can cause headaches, especially lilac, Madonna lilies, heliotrope and gardenia, and many of those perfumes which are pre dominantly musk or gardenia-based have the same effect.
Folklore tells us we should never smell poppies or sleep under the cypress for to do so will give us a pain in the head and lead to madness! However to wear a good bunch of lavender beneath our hats would certainly have ensured immunity, probably as a result of all those lovely antiseptic oils warming up and guarding us against infection. It would undoubtedly have looked and smelled better than the favourite cure for a headache which was the standard wrapping of vinegar and brown paper or the more esoteric combination of goat’s dung and squill (vinegar of ammonia), Poultices were also mentioned frequently: slices of cucumber or raw potatoes laid on brow and temples to remedy sunstroke and headaches caused by sultry weather, houseleek leaves crushed and applied to hot and aching heads and a marvelous compress made of elder leaves crushed with salt which brings immediate relief but unfortunately smells vilely foetid. Herbal teas which will relieve the pain of an aching head but any which will relieve tension will help.
Home Remedies for Headache and other Cures
- Scented leaves Any deliciously scented leaf when rubbed between the fingers and inhaled deeply will clear the head and make you feel more alive. This is one of the reasons, I am sure, that cottage dwellers grew their most scented plants beside the kitchen door. The most effective are lemon verbena, lemon balm, dill, sage peppermint, spearmint, rose, lavender and violet. The smell of hops will soothe whilst cloves of the peel of oranges and lemons invigorate and an infusion of mint, sage or fennel or two tablespoons each of hop tea and vinegar can be inhaled or used on a cool compress.
- A headache pillo from America Mix together 50 g (2 oz) each of lavender, marjoram, rose petals, betony and rose leaf and 15g (½ oz) of cloves. Sew them into a cotton case and keep it neneath your pillow.
- Lavender vinegar Herbal vinegars were considered disinfectant and those that were most frequently used in the sick room were rue and rosemary. Lavender vinegar will refresh and clear a thick head as well as being strongly antiseptic.
Lavender Water
2 tablespoons dried lavender
1 tablespoon dried sweet cicely
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 nutmeg, grated
1 litre (1.75 pints) surgical spirit
put all the ingredients together in s large jar. Seal with a non-metal lid and stand in a wrm place for two weeks. Strain, bottle and seal. It makes a wonderfully spicy and aromatic lotion to use on a compress. Lavender water and eau de Cologne were great favourites amongst ladies of a certain age and could be dropped on to a handkerchief or carried in crystal form.
- Rose Essential oil of rose, that most tranquillizing of perfumes, added a few drops at a time to a warm bath or cool compress will bring exquisite relief.
- Attar of roses Cover a jar of fragrant red rose petals with pure alcohol (B.P.not gin). Relieve an aching head.
- Rose petal vinegar Two tablespoons of rose petal vinegar added to 1 litre (1.75pints) of water has a fragrant, refreshing smell which is very soothing. It is also invaluable as a face wash for a patient who is running a high fever. It eradicates the sour odour and helps to restore the acid balance of the skin thus preventing the scaly cracking, particularly of the lips, which often occurs after the disrupting heat of a fever. Mothers nursing small children will find it invaluable on their own harassed brows. Like all herb and flower vinegars, rose petal vinegar is very easy to make. Simply cram a wide – necked jar full of seented red rose petals, stand the jar on a thick cloth and very, very slowly fill it up with hot white malt vinegar. Do not fill too quickly for this will crack the glass. Seal with a non-metal lid and leave on a windowsill for two weeks, shaking every day.
- Malt vinegar Apart from the deliciously fragrant and therapeutic vinegars given above, plain malt vingar can also have surprisingly beneficial effects. The fumes of hot vinegar can be inhaled, it can be used cold on a compress to place on the temples or it can be added to herbal tea instead of lemon to cure a headache.
- Watercress vinegar Boil 600 ml (1 pint.) of vinegar with a handful of watercress and leave to stand fcr two hours. Strain, bottle and keep refrigerated. Use as malt vinegar.
- Massage oil Massage to the back of the neck on either side of the spinal column, the temples and the scalp will ease temples and the scalp will ease tension tremendously, but one of the best ways of curing a thumping headache is to massage your feet or get someone else to do it for you. The particular area to work on is where the toes join the top of the foot. Knead and stroke gently and allow your mind to wander off somewhere else – you will find that this is truly amazing. For the best results massage with one of the following essential oils in a dilution of almond oil: peppermint, rosemary, cloves, aniseed, marigold oil for the temples; wintergreen for the back of the neck. Tiger balm can be popped into a handbag or pocket and taken any where for any emergency.
- Lemon Salted lemon juice or cut lemons applied to the temple are old fashioned methods of easing the pain.
- Basil leaves These should be chewed.
- Lavender oil Take 3 drops on a cube of sugar to ease an aching head.
Soothing Teas
- Voilet, viper’s bugloss, vervain, elderflower, chamomile, lime, lavender, mignonette, valerian or marjoram tea . all these gentle, tranquillizing teas are reputed to ease a sore head.
- Camomile, mint and catnip tea One level teaspoon of each to 600 ml (1 pint) of water will cure a sick headache. One of the best home remedies for headache.
- Camomile and dandelion tea Add a generous squeeze of lemon to a cup of this tea and take for kidney and digestive problems which are causing the type of headache usually associated with overindulgence.
- Dandelion root Simmer 25g (1 oz) in 600 ml (1 pint) of water for 15 minutes. Strained and drunk warm this has a detoxifying effect on the system.
- Meadowsweet tea The flowers and leaves contain the same salicin which is found in willow and which is a component of aspirin. How much more soothing and pleasant to simmer meadowsweet in water for 10 minutes and drink three cups daily to rid oneself of a clinging headache. One of the best home remedies for headache.
- Indian tea Take without milk but with the addition of 3 cloves.
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