Why coffee is a miracle drug for your head

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A headache is one of the most common ailments and conditions that affects many people. But next time instead of reaching for those painkillers, you might want to try and reach for some natural cures or natural home remedies for instant relief. While acetaminophen may help reduce your headache, overuse can lead to other problems. So next time you are feeling a headache coming on you will want to try some of the herbal remedies on the list of headache relief without drugs. The good news is that it is easier than you think and chances are you may already have some of these natural cures in your cabinets. The following are just some of the natural home remedies you will find on the list.

1. The first natural cure on the list is sure to make some people happy, as it is likely to be something you already use on a regular basis. A clinical trial in Illinois found that caffeine, which may reduce the swelling of blood vessels, can help to reduce both the intensity and the frequency of headaches. Subjects in one of the groups were given caffeine alone, and 58 percent in the group reported to having complete relief. Subjects in the other group were given caffeine with a combination with ibuprofen, and 70 percent saw symptoms disappear. So next time you feel that headache coming on try sipping a cup of coffee for headache relief.

2. Another of the natural cures for headaches is in the form of hot or cold relief. To help cure a tension headache which is caused by contractions in the head and the neck, and brought on by things such as stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep, dip a washcloth in some hot water, wring it out, and fold it into a compress. Then place the hot compress onto your forehead or the back of your neck to help relax tight muscles. To ease a vascular headache which includes migraines and cluster headaches, and stems from the contraction and expansion of blood vessels in a certain area of the head, you want to follow the same procedure. But instead of using hot water, use cold water, which helps to constrict the blood vessels and reduce the blood flow, taking the pressure off and helping to provide relief to a hurting head.

3. For headache relief try using this natural home remedy of ginger tea. Ginger tea works especially well for migraine headaches. Make ginger tea by pouring about three cups of water over two tablespoons of freshly grated ginger. Let this steep about four to five minutes, then strain the tea through a small sieve into a teacup. Sip the ginger tea for headache relief. You can also try using ginger tea bags, but the tea bags lack the same punch of fresh ginger-root tea. Ginger acts on the headache condition to help reduce the pain one feels. Ginger is packed with over 200 substances, mainly present in its oils, ginger root is known to block prostaglandins that stimulate muscle contraction, help to control inflammation and affect the release of some hormones.

4. The foot soak remedy. Blood drawn to the lower part of the body will reduce pressure in the blood vessels of the head. To help soothe a throbbing vascular type of a headache, soak your feet in a small tub that is filled with hot water mixed with some mustard powder for headache relief.

You will find these natural cures and natural home remedies on the Reader's Digest site. On the site, you will find herbal remedies, food ideas, health, true stories and more. **

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