I got some bad news for you ladies: Taking painkillers can actually cause you to get more headaches. Sounds crazy, but it actually makes a lot of sense. According to Professor Gillian Leng, Deputy Chief Executive of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), overusing painkillers makes your body become resistant, leading you to resort to a stronger medication. Once the painkiller wears off, you can experience something known as a "rebound" headache, which is the headache coming back but stronger. It's a pretty vicious cycle!
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Keep in mind that overusing doesn't necessarily mean overdosing. It's when someone uses a painkiller for a long period of time. For instance, if you're popping ibuprofen or aspirin daily, chances are you're going to experience "rebound" headaches. I've honestly never been a fan of pills. I have pretty low tolerance for pain, but even so I have to be in some serious turmoil for me to pop a painkiller or any other kind of medication. I'm quicker to resort to one of my abuelita's natural home-made remedios that won't leave me with side effects and other health issues. So I wanted to share some of these with you all; here are six amazing remedies that will help treat your headaches and migraines in a snap!
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Peppermint oil
I remember always seeing my abuelita inhale peppermint oil whenever she was struggling with bad headaches or feeling nauseous. That's because it's made of vaso-constricting and vaso-dilating properties that helps promote blood flow in the body as well as opens up the sinuses. You can also apply some to your hairline, it helps relax the muscles around your head.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are great for treating headaches because they're packed with omega-3 fatty acids that help bring down inflammation. Try boiling some in water for a flaxseeds tea. You'll notice an instant difference.
Lavender oil
Give yourself a scalp massage using lavender oil. Apply two to three drops to your finger tips and gently massage your temples. Just the smell alone of the lavender is enough to get you some relief.
Ginger
Whenever I have a headache I usually make some home-made ginger tea. First I crush up a fresh ginger root and then add it to a small pot of boiling water. My family has been using this remedy for years and believe me it works just as well (if not better) than an aspirin!
Fish oil
Like flaxseeds, fish oil is also very rich in omega-3 fatty acids so it helps bring down inflammation. Try taking fish oil supplements. If you're pregnant or breast feeding you might want to check in with your doctor first.
Feverfew
People have been using this plant for years to treat headaches and migraines. It contains a substance (parthenolide) that helps relieve pain. The best way to use it is to slip it in some boiling water and drink it like tea. You can find some at your local health foods store.
