Headaches or migraines can be very debilitating, particularly if you get them often. We know they can be caused by all kinds of factors. Dehydration, alcohol, too much sugar, certain processed foods, changes to routine, lack of sleep, poor posture, skipped meals and stress can all play a role.

Headaches have the potential to impact your wellbeing, so here’s some ways you can soothe your headache naturally.

Ginger
Ginger can help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head and will sometimes relieve your pain almost instantly!

Mix it with some lemon juice, boil it with water and drink it as tea. Inhaling the vapour can also help. Slice it very finely and add it to your vegetables or eat it raw sprinkled onto fresh fruit.

Mint
Mint contains menthol and menthone – both have been proven to be helpful to reduce pain caused by headaches.

Add some mint leaves to your tea or juice, or try placing some mint tea compresses on your forehead which can also help relieve your pain.

Peppermint oil
Peppermint also contains menthol which can open up the clogged blood vessels that cause headaches.

Mix three drops of peppermint oil in one tablespoon of almond oil, olive oil or just water and massage into your temples.

You can also add peppermint oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam.

Basil
Tense muscles caused by stress can bring about headaches, but did you know basil oil can be used as a muscle relaxant to help?

You can place a few drops directly on your forehead and massage that too.

Eating fresh basil leaves with some basil oil has been known to reduce headaches. You can also place three or four fresh basil leaves in a cup of boiling water and let it simmer for a few minutes, add a teaspoon of honey and drink it warm.

Lavender oil
The smell of lavender has been proven to calm and soothe our senses, resulting in a more relaxed state of mind. It’s a great tool to relieve stress, and of course headaches too.

Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a tissue and inhale it. You can also add two drops of lavender oil to two cups of boiling water and inhale the steam.

Another option is to mix two or three drops of lavender oil in one tablespoon of carrier oil such as almond oil or olive oil and massage it into your forehead.

Ice pack
Ice is great for reducing inflammation, which if often a primary cause of headaches.

Applying an ice pack to the back of your neck can give you effective relief from a migraine or headache. It can also numb your sensation of the pain.

Placing a washcloth dipped in ice-cold water over your head for five minutes is also very soothing for headache.

Drink plenty of water
It’s extremely important to stay hydrated when your head tells you something is wrong.

Don’t attempt to drink large amounts of water in one go. Our bodies can only absorb a small amount of water at a time, so drinking too much too fast will only leave you bloated and uncomfortable.

Sleep
Finally, ensure you’re getting enough sleep! Sticking to a routine is one of the best ways to get the most rest throughout the night.