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Herbs for Headaches and Migraines
Herbalists tend to regard the headache as a symptom of some
underlying disorder rather than an illness in its own right.
Those that seem centered behind the eyes suggest a digestive
disturbance while headaches that seem to start at the back
of the neck and creep forward are generally tension
headaches. Pain and sensitivity around the eyes or above the
nose can be due to a sinus problem.
Muscle strain in the shoulders and neck can also contribute
to head pain. Sitting or working awkwardly hunched over a
desk or computer keyboard can easily lead to headaches.
Massage neck and shoulders with a mixture of 5 drops each of
thyme, lavender, and juniper oil in 1 tablespoon of almond
oil.
Take a 600 mg tablet of Siberian ginseng each day to improve
stress tolerance and thus reduce the risk of tension
headaches and try yoga or t'ai chi classes to improve
relaxation skills.
Some sorts of headaches are best relieved by a hot towel on
the head in these cases use a massage of 10 drops of
rosemary oil to 1 teaspoon of almond oil on the temples and
forehead.
Migraine is typically preceded by visual disturbances jagged
lights to the edge of the visual field or a sense that there
is a strange out of focus area in what one sees.
Occasionally the attack may simply comprise these visual
upsets, although more typically a severe headache will
follow, with increased sensitivity to light so that
sufferers want simply to lie down in a dark room. Migraines
can be associated with gastric disturbances or pins and
needles in one hand or arm. Foods can often trigger an
attack or an attack can be associated with stress or bright
sunlight. Flickering lights, as when driving past trees on a
bright sunny day, can also trigger an attack.
Many sufferers find that chewing feverfew leaves can help
prevent attacks. Try two to three leaves in a daily sandwich
or else use a strong lavender oil rub (1 teaspoon of
lavender oil with 2 teaspoons of almond oil ) massaged into
the temples at the first hint of a migraine. Drink cups of
lavender and St. John’s wort infusion (1 teaspoon of each to
a cup of water) during attacks.
About
the Author
Douglas
Adams is the owner of http://www.allwellbeing.com , a
website dedicated to increasing knowledge of health related
issues. For high quality health care products visit http://www.shaklee.net/douglas_adams
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