Healthy home remedies for headaches - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Headaches can make even the simplest tasks seem overwhelming, but luckily our wellness expert Peggy Hall has some simple ways to help banish headaches -- or prevent them from coming on altogether!

"Before you reach for those pain pills, consider visiting Mother Nature's pharmacy for these home remedies," she says.

• First of all, drink a glass of plain water. A lot of headaches are just from
  dehydration. Avoid ice water, though, which can shock your brain
• Next, breathe! Get outside in the fresh air if possible.
• Eat a piece of fruit to stabilize blood sugar
• Applying these mini-massage maneuvers: (Place one thumb between
  your eyebrows; the other at base of your skull. Press and hold for count
  of 10; repeat; or just massage your temples with heels of your hands!)
• Lie down and place a cold pack under your neck, to draw heat from head
• Soak your feet in warm water (to draw blood from head) or take a tepid
  bath with Epsom salt, which contains magnesium to sooth jangled nerves

"The next time you feel a headache coming on, instead of thinking 'Oh no, here we go again,' take two of these tips...and call me in the morning," says Peggy.

What about taking pain relievers? Peggy says that they're most effective when you take them at the very first sign of a headache. But she recommends taking a tablespoon or two of liquid magnesium, which calms your nerve endings and really helps with tension headaches. As always, check with your doctor if you have any concerns about medication or if you get frequent headaches without relief.

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