Headache & alternative remedies!
Cure headache through phytotherapy, natural remedies, sports & food.
Many of us suffer from headache & throughout the years we have tried & experimented various traditional cures, maybe now we can also think of trying some so called alternative remedies that from recent studies seem to be much more beneficial.
The scientific term of what is commonly known as headache is called Cephalalgy, that is one of the most common pains in man, also because there are about 150 different subtypes of Cephalalgy or commonly known as headaches. The most significant amongst these are migraine, tension type headache (the most frequent & can be either chronic or in episodes) & the cluster headache (characterised by violent pains generally located in the orbit or forehead zones and usually at fixed times).
We can call it migraine when we reach at least 5 different episodes with certain characteristics such as:
-duration (between 4 to 72 hours)
-unilateral localization
-throbbing pain
-excessive fatigue as a reaction towards daily actions such as going up stairs
The symptoms associated to headache are nausea, excessive sensitivity to light or darkness.
Lets see what phytotherapy, flower therapy, food & naturally physical activity have to offer in order to get some relief from these symptoms.
In phytotherapy, herbal teas, tinctures, dry plant & herb extracts with anti-inflammatory & analgesic properties aimed towards the osteoarticular system, that are capable to inhibit the prostaglandin synthesis (PGE2), responsible for the pain & tissue inflammation are used. With these characteristics we find:
– Willow & Spirea Ulmria: both considered the “plant salicylates”, successfully used in situations that cause pain & inflammation at muscular level, generic cervical pain, neuralgia, flu & fever;
– Devil’s Claw: this root contains harpagoside that is considered responsible for the analgesic & antipyretic effects of the plant, which is particularly useful in the case of tendinitis, headache caused by cervical athrosis or tooth ache;
– Melissa & Passion flower: have sedative & anxiolytic properties that relax muscles & calm the nervous system;
– Feverfew: is used for treating migraine thanks to the presence of the antispasmodic flavonoids.
In Flower therapy instead & therefore with the Bach flowers, a sweeter therapy is used, infact Bach flowers are used to rebalance the altered emotional state provoked by headache, believing that it is the mind & therefore the emotions that in some way set off this pain, the flowers used are:
– Oak: induces a state of physical & mentale relaxation in those who suffer from an excessive sense of duty that forbids relaxation, rest & therefore energy regain, especially in periods of stress & fatigue.
– Elm: reduces anxiety.
– Impatiens: reduces the daily pace, contrasting spasmodic tension; it helps accepth the natural life flow & be transported by the slow passing of time. It is recommended for those suffering from impulsiveness, hyperactivity & impatience.
– White Chestnut: brings back peace & calmness to our mind, ideal for who suffers from insomnia due to various thoughts.
– Hornbeam: helps those who suffer from acute headaches due to a prolonged mental strain.
Even food has a fundamental role & in order not to worsen the symptoms we must know which are the foods that worsen the headache & they are divided into three groups:
- Foods rich in histamine: fermented cheese, cured meats, canned foods, certain types of fish (tuna, sardines, salmone, anchovies), spinach, tomatoes & pork.
- Foods rich in tyramine: most cheese types (except parmigiano & mozzarella), cold cuts, fish (caviar, tuna, herring), grapes, figs, potatoes, broad beans tomatoes, spinach & cauliflower.
- Foods containing bisulfites: wine, beer, vinegar, soft drinks & canned food.
These types of foods are capable to set off a headache or even worsen it; also a good digestion & the food assimilation by our gastroenteric apparatus are fundamental, because very often digestion problems from our stomach, liver or bowel &/or the presence of intestinal dysbiosis could set off or worsen the frequency of the headache pains. We cannot also underestimate vitamin shortages like vitamin D or anemia, hence a shortage of iron. We must therefore prefer a natural & varied diet consisting of fresh seasonal, foods preferably of organic origin.
Physical activity plays a very important role when it comes to relieving headache & even just a walk outside in the fresh air allows us to keep tension aside & relax all our organism, giving us an improvement of all symptoms. Even running or cycling & swimming are excellent, anyway all outdoor sports definitely have a positive impact.
Even some yoga positions are excellent like for example the head to knee position (Janu sirsasana), the plough position (Halasana); & definitely all the relaxation & meditation parts that allow us to decontract all our nerves. Obviously breathing is also very important, hence all breathing exercises are of very good help.
Take a look at our tried and tested method: Anti-Diet
Leave A Comment