According to Ayurvedic texts, mostly, too much of heat generated in the body (or pitta) leads to headaches. In such situations, cooling the body down may help reduce the pain. Drink some buttermilk or tender coconut water; ot try massaging some castor oil onto your scalp and the soles of your feet. You can then follw this up by washing them with warm water and shikakai. Apart from this you could also try including poppy seeds (khus-khus), coconut and ghee into your diet.
Eat right-
Research increasingly shows that certain foods have the ability to trigger headaches – especially migraines. Foods such as cheese, coffee, chocolate and tea that contain vasoactive amines, that are known to trigger painful migraine headaches. These amines affect the flow of blood in and around the brain, leading to headaches. If you frequently suffer from headaches, maintain a food diary and note down what food specifically triggers your headaches and avoid these foods to keep headaches at bay.
Manage stress levels-
One way to help reduce stress is by planning ahead and organizing your day. Another way is to allow more time to relax. And if you're caught in a stressful situation, consider stepping back.
Go hot or cold. Applying heat or ice — whichever you prefer — to sore muscles, may ease a tension headache. For heat, use a heating pad set on low, a hot-water bottle, a warm compress or a hot towel. A hot bath or shower also may help. For cold, wrap ice, an ice pack or frozen vegetables in a cloth to protect your skin.
Perfect your posture-
Good posture can help keep your muscles from tensing. When standing, hold your shoulders back and your head level. Pull in your abdomen and buttocks. When sitting, make sure your thighs are parallel to the ground and your head isn't slumped forward.
Following home remedies have proven helpful to get rid of headache's-
1. Ginger
Ginger can help reduce inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, thus providing relief from a headache.Mix equal parts of ginger juice and lemon juice. Consume it once or twice a day.
Another option is to apply a paste of one teaspoon of dry ginger powder, also called sonth, and two tablespoons of water on the forehead for a few minutes.
You can also boil ginger powder or raw ginger in water, and inhale the vapor.
Chew one or two pieces of crystallized ginger candy.
2. Mint Juice
Menthol and menthone are the primary components of mint which are very effective in alleviating headaches.
Extract mint juice from a handful of mint leaves and apply it on forehead and temples to treat headache.
You can also place mint tea compresses on the forehead to relieve discomfort. Along with mint juice, corainder juice is also effective in treating headaches.
3. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint contains menthol that helps open up clogged blood vessels that cause headaches. It also has calming and soothing effects.
Mix three drops of peppermint essential oil in one tablespoon of almond oil, olive oil or just water. Massage your forehead and temples with it. Or, you can put crushed fresh peppermint leaves on your forehead.
Alternatively, you can prepare a steam treatment by adding a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a small pot of boiling water. Inhale the steam for a few minutes.
4. Basil
Basil works as a muscle relaxant, making it a helpful treatment for mild headaches caused by tense muscles. Plus, it has calming and analgesic effects.
Put three or four fresh basil leaves in a cup of boiling water and let it simmer for a few minutes. Optionally, add a little honey and then sip the tea slowly.
You can also boil one tablespoon of basil leaves or a few drops of basil oil to a pot of boiling water and carefully lean over the pot to take in the steam.
Alternatively, chew some fresh basil leaves or massage your forehead with basil oil mixed with a base oil.
5. Lavender Oil
Simply smelling the soothing scent of lavender essential oil can be of great help in relieving tension headaches. Research suggests that it can also help improve migraine symptoms.
Put a few drops of lavender essential oil on a tissue and inhale it. You can also add two drops of lavender oil to two cups of boiling water and inhale the steam.
Another option is to mix two or three drops of lavender essential oil in one tablespoon of carrier oil such as almond oil or olive oil and massage your forehead with it.
Note: Do not take lavender oil orally.
Ayurvedic preparations for headache's-
Medicines such as Pathyadi kadha, sootshekhar ras, kamdudha, godanti bhasma etc are very useful in chronic types of headache. Also panchakarma like Shirodhara and nasya treatment play an important role.