Natural ways to fight headaches

Those who are no stranger to headaches know they can be debilitating if left untreated. Thankfully, these home remedies should help you get back to normal.

Headache triggers can include stress, overexertion, sensitivity to weather, low blood sugar, colds, tooth problems and psychological issues. Tension headaches consist of a cramping of the neck and shoulder muscles, and respond well to acupressure treatments.

Migraines, however, occupy a special place among headaches; they take the form of pulsating pain on one side of the head, often accompanied by sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, vision abnormalities and neurological problems. Possible triggers are foods such as alcohol (especially red wine), coffee, cheese and the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG), plus a lack of sleep, stress and hormonal influences. Here's a few way to fight headaches.

• If you are a frequent consumer of aspirin or ibuprofen, stop — these can cause "rebound headaches" that start just as soon as a dose of medication begins to wear off.
• Avoid any form of nicotine, which constricts your blood vessels.
• Go easy on alcohol. Its toxic metabolic products increase the danger of headache.
• Red wine and chocolate can trigger headaches in those with sensitivities.
• Drink 250 millilitres (one cup) of St. John's wort tea to reduce stress, thus eliminating one major headache trigger.
• Get enough sleep and rest.
• Exercise (jogging, walking, swimming) encourages circulation and reduces stress.
• Feverfew doesn't just prevent fever, it reduces the frequency and intensity of migraines in those who take it regularly. Used for thousands of years by healers around the world, the herb can be grown in your garden, in a balcony pot or picked up in supplement form from either the pharmacy or a health food store.

Headaches are not an illness in themselves, but merely a symptom with a number of possible causes. In most cases, you shouldn't need to reach for the pain pills. Countless home remedies can provide gentle, quick and lasting relief. If unexplained headaches persist, consult your doctor.

1. Use your index fingers to gently massage the easily perceptible depression just under the outer end of your eyebrows for one minute in a clockwise direction.

2. Use your fingertip to massage the middle joint of your ring finger for one minute in a clockwise direction, on the side facing the pinky.

You will need:

• About 3 to 4 g (small handful) juniper berries
• 250 ml (1 c) water

  Crush the juniper berries and pour boiling water over them. Let the tea steep for five minutes, strain and sip 250 millilitres (one cup) three times a day. (Caution: do not take during pregnancy or if you have kidney disease.)