And today we’re finishing up this week with one more offering on headaches–this time with some remedies and the like.
Quotes are from Joey Green’s Amazing Kitchen Cures.
Pictures continue with my journey thru the Cotswold a lovely little bit of England.
And last but not least—the desired remedies to a lot of my health and other goals–OUTLANDER strikes again.
“Rub a small dab of Ben Gay unto your forehead, temples and the back of your neck. The heat from the salve will gently soothe your pain.”
As usual before I tell you a little about items that might help (I will list my sources at the end so you can get a better understanding and/or exact mixing and formulas as I basically only give the basics here) I want to again TO REMIND YOU THAT FIRST
1. ANY HEADACHE THAT OCCURS REGULARLY–DAILY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY–MUST BE EVALUATED BY A DOCTOR PRIOR TO ANY SELF TREATMENT AS THERE ARE ALL MANNER OF CAUSE OF HEADACHES FROM ANYEURISMS TO DIABETES (SURGAR FLUCUATIONS) ETC. THAT COULD BE LIFE THREATENING IF NOT TREATED.
2. EVEN IF THE DOCTOR SEES YOU, CONTINUED ISSUES SHOULD BE SEEN AND MAY REQUIRE A COMPLETE WORK-UP, EVEN A SECOND OPINION JUST TO BE SURE.
3. Any time you are doing herbals, or homeopathic always let your doctor know to avoid
allergic reaction
interference or reactions to drugs you already are taking
complications from other conditions of which you suffer.
If your doctor doesn’t have a whole herbal PDR affair like mine—he’s a DO and they seem to be more comfortable with herbals than some MD’s. You can check on line and let your doctor know what you’ve found—for instance MEDMD has quite a few herbals with information on effectiveness, complication, side effects and reactions etc with prescription and over the counter medications.
4. FINALLY I CAN’T SAY THIS ENOUGH IF YOU’RE EXPECTING OR PLANNING TO BE NEVER TAKE ANYTHING THAT’S NOT DIRECTLY PRESCRIBED BY YOUR PHYSICIAN….THAT ALSO APPLIES TO NURSING MOTHERS AND FOR SMALL CHILDREN,
For dehydration headaches: “Drinking two glasses of Gatorade replaces electrolytes (the potassium and salt lost through perspiration) relieves headache pain almost immediately.”
First let’s discuss coffee: Depending on your particular problems it may cause headaches and the experts you read lists it as a trigger for headaches, especially migraines—while others list it as a good way to treat the pain.
I grew up in a family that has a long history, and the new generations have them too–of headaches. I remember my grand mother being in bed for days and the first thing she did when she started recovering from the pain is to ask my grandfather for coffee. So I must assume that for her it helped the pain go away….but again everyone is different as are their headaches so see what your doctor says about it.
“Use two Lipton Tea Bags in one cup hot water for 20 min. Drinking this very strong cup of tea will relieve a migraine” Same principal as coffee—caffeine…so while I don’t consider Joey an expert, it’s still another voice on the subject.
Minerals that are recommended and where you can find them.
1. Magnesium
For preventing and easing both migraines and tension headaches.
You can get this from ingesting nuts, seeds, and green leafy vegetables….but remember nuts are high in fats and calories so you might not want to indulge in too many of these.
2. Caclium
For relief of headaches
Found in milk, yogurt (though yesterday or before I believe that some experts recommend you avoid as a trigger so it’s what works for you personally…you can also get it from broccoli and Swiss Chard.
3. Iron
Another preventative, especially in women still going thru their menstrual cycles. Swiss Chard again, baked potatoes and both steak and fowl all contain this one.
“Drink a couple of cups of Maxwell House Coffee. Coffee acts as a vascoconstrictor reducing the swelling of blood vessels that cause headaches.” Again the Caffeine angle from this book.
Feverfew is an herbal that has been used for years for the relief of headache pain and the prevention of future pain. You will see it in many herbal sources but there are many contradictions in it’s use.
IT SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN WHEN YOU’RE PREGNANTE OR PLANNING ON BEING.
If you have BLEEDING (or bleed easily) issues or take drugs like Coumadin that can put you at risk for bleeding you shouldn’t take it.
It causes increase risk of bleeding with aspirin and hydrocodone. There are multiple other drugs which it can interfere with (like Fer-Iron) its absorption or cause reactions when combined with so this is not one you want to take without a full consult with your doctor.
Other herbs used for headaches:
in various combinations in infusions (you’ll need to get more information at a naturalpath in your area or at a health food store which may already have infusions that you can buy made up–again only if your doctor agrees)
Chamomile
Hawthorne
Hops
Peppermint
Valerine
Rosemary
to name a few
Local application of some herbs (ie rosemary or lavender) has also been found to be helpful and again checking with a good health food store to see what creams they have can’t hurt and then presenting these to your doctor
I have supplied two sources below that are really the experts I’m just trying to give you an overview and to get you to consult your doctor and/or specialist if you are continuing uncontrolled..
Other things you can do that might help until your doctor and you can work something out.
Avoid frequent use of over-the counter painkillers.
Try relaxation techniques like Yogi or bio-feed back to relax and avoid the drop in body temperature which often occurs in migraines.
Try putting on calming music.
A warm–be careful you don’t want to burn yourself and only when someone is there to help you get in and out–bath may help some.
If your headaches seem to be influenced by your hormones and cycle, consult your gynecologist on ways to regulate this. there are natural progesterone creams which can be used in some situations but get it all checked out and doctor prescribed.
“”Applying an ice pack to your head relieves headache pain. Fill a Ziplock Freezer bad with water and freeze it or fill it with ice cubes, wrap in paper towel before applying.”
For much more information on headaches etc. try
National Headache Foundation:
Some of the things included are headache diaries and tips on talking to your doctor.
American Migraine Foundations
which includes a doctor finder for your area.
The Books I looked at to help me come up with some ideas to get you started on the road to headache control:
A GUIDE TO NATURAL REMEDIED By Liz Bestic
AMAZING KITCHEN CURES BY Joey Green—seems a bit heavy on the advertisement and light on the medical but they made neat quotes today.
ENCYCLPEDIA OF FRUITS, VEGETABLES, NUTS AND SEEDS FOR HEALTHFUL LIVING By Joseph M. Kadans, Ph. D.
HEADACHE RELIEF By Rapoport and Sheftell, both MDs.
HEALING TONICS by Jeanine Pollak
NATURAL CURES FOR HEADACHES by Cass Ingram (no MD listed but she put Dr. before her name….no idea why)
NEW FOODS FOR HEALING from Prevention Magazine
PRESCRIPTION FOR NUTRITIONAL HEALING BY James (MD) & Phyllis (CNC) Balch
THE ESSENTIAL HERB-DRUG-VITAMIN INTERACTION GUIDE By Grossberg (MD) and Fox (Ph.D.)
THE NEW AGE HERBALIST Editor Richard Mabey
Rachel Ray 30-Minute Meals $4.00
some calming music Outlander style (adults only it’s very graphic–my my….
and another not graphic just a history to music
One more time wit a bit less graphic than one but much more than two.
“Use a plastic bag of frozen Green Giant Sweet Peas as an ice pack. If the bag of peas feels too cold, put a paper towel between your skin and the bag. The sack of peas conforms to the contours of your body and you can refreeze the peas for future ice-pack use….Just label the bag for ice pack only.”
“In 1876, the Glacearun, the world’s first mechanically refrigerated ice skating rink, opened in London, on King’s Pond, Chealsea.”
the book by Joey included that quote and has hundreds of interesting and often useless but fun facts and no products listed (that I saw) in those.
