Headaches can have many causes and are often ignored, and a tablet is taken to relieve them, but this is not the answer. Regularly taking painkillers can cause problems for the kidneys and liver and does not resolve the problem.
A little investigation could stop them completely as they are not a normal part of life as many seem to believe. Food allergies, certain nutrient deficiencies, especially minerals and vision defects can cause headaches as well as dehydration.
Triggers for headaches
- Alcohol because it causes dehydration and expulsion of many nutrients.
- Allergies to foods containing certain elements.
- Aspartame (artificial sweetener)
- Bright lights
- Caffeine laden beverages
- Dehydration
- Dental problems (for example, teeth grinding)
- Eye strain. Have the vision tested to ensure this is not the cause of frequent headaches.
- Glutamic acid: Yeast products like torula yeast, brewer’s yeast, yeast spreads etc contain glutamic acid which can cause headaches.
- Heavy metals
- High blood pressure
- Hormonal changes: During a woman’s menstrual cycle she may be more prone to headachess.
- Irregular meals.
- Irregular or too little sleep.
- Lack of food (dieting).
- Loud noises.
- Mineral deficiencies
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Parasites and worms
- Sleeping tablets: certain tablets can cause headaches.
- Smoking tobacco.
- Tension in the neck or shoulders.
- The toxins from the excrement from the worms that live in beer pipes can cause bad headaches if the publican does not clean the pipes regularly once a week at least.
- Tannins found in many foods can cause headaches and migraines. Tea being one of them.
- Tin deficiency can cause headaches.
- E621 monosodium glutamate found in most processed meat products and Chinese meals can cause headaches and migraines.
If food is the cause of headaches, eliminating these from the diet then introducing one at a time can help discover triggers. Try eliminating the following from the diet and introducing one at a time over a period of a few days.
- Apples
- Bananas
- Berries
- Black tea
- Carob beans
- Chocolate
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Coffee
- Cumin
- Citrus fruits
- Grape juice
- Ice cream
- Legumes (dark coloured)
- Nitrates can trigger a migraine
- Nuts
- Sour cream
- St John’s Wort
- Tarragon
- Tyramine can trigger a headache. Foods containing considerable amounts of tyramine include meats that are spoiled or pickled, aged, smoked, fermented, or marinated (some fish, poultry and beef) and most pork (except cured ham).
- Vanilla
- Wood smoked fish or meat
Natural remedies for headaches
To alleviate headaches, rest and the consumption of natural nutritious foods that rehydrate and reduce inflammation as well as cleanse the body of toxins are the best way to recover.
- Alfalfa is a rich source of many nutrients due its very long tap root that can get down to certain minerals other food crops cannot reach. Therefore, the sprouts of alfalfa may be of help to headache and migraine sufferers.
- Algae and seaweed can remove heavy metals and other toxins from the body which can cause headaches. They also provide the minerals that may be missing in a diet of land-based crops.
- Almonds: eating 10 – 12 almonds can provide the same relief as two aspirins.
- Black seed has head pain relieving properties.
- Coconut water can rehydrate when dehydration is the cause.
- Ginger has been found to relieve headaches and make recovery faster in some people.
- Himalayan pink salt crystals. Add one to two teaspoons of the pink crystals to a cup of warm water and add the juice and zest of half a lemon and one teaspoon of honey for relief. WARNING: Do not try this remedy if suffering with high blood pressure.
- Magnesium can be low in the diet as many land-based crops are lacking in it due to intensive farming techniques therefore, consuming algae and seaweed can help provide sufficient amounts. Headache sufferers are often lacking in this mineral.
- Three mint leaves, 1/2 a sliced cucumber and 1/2 a lemon squeezed (all organic) in a glass of mineral water can help to relieve headaches.
- Mustard seeds consumed on a regular basis have been found to be beneficial for reducing the frequency of headaches.
- Passion fruit contains components which have the ability to relax the nerves and relieve headaches.
- Psyllium husks: take one tablespoon per day with plenty of water in case digestive or colon issues are the cause of headaches or migraines. Toxins in the from fermenting foods in the intestines due to slow transit may cause problems and psyllium husks will correct the flow.
- Pineapple juice can rehydrate when dehydration is the cause.
- Quinoa is high in magnesium and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) which can often provide relief for headache sufferers.
- Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): Foods rich in this, often lacking, vitamin can proved relief.
- Water: Drink six glasses of filtered or bottled mineral water. One should be drunk just before bed so that toxins can be flushed out of the brain more easily during sleep.
Vegetables that may help with headaches
- Alfalfa
- Algae
- Chicory
- Cucumber
- Okra
- Parsnips
- Spinach
- Watercress
Fruit that may help with headaches
Herbs that may help with headaches
- Basil
- Black seed
- Borage
- Burdock root
- Dandelion
- Holy basil
- Feverfew
- Linden
- Mint
- Motherwort
- Noni
- Wood betony
Spices that may help with headaches
External remedies for headaches
Coconut oil, lavender essential oil and peppermint essential oil can relieve headaches when rubbed onto the temples and forehead.
WARNING: Essential oils are not suitable for pregnant or breast-feeding women or children under five.
Related subjects
- A-Z of ailments
- Allergies
- Eye disorders
- Dehydration
- Migraines
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Pain and inflammation
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