The common ailment that bothers me the most frequently would have to be headaches.  Women are prone to more chronic headaches than men, and are usually caused by hormonal fluctuations and imbalances, circulatory problems, stress, sugar imbalance, spinal misalignments and blood pressure concerns.  

While main stream media is full of advertising for products containing paracetamol and not letting a pesky headache stop you from getting everything done in your day, prolonged or excessive use of such products can have a negative impact on your overall health.  Paracetamol is largely metabolised in the liver and is metabolised differently in premature babies, newborns and young children when compared to adults.  

Adverse reaction can include skin irritations, nausea, vomiting, constipation, liver damage and in rare cases haematological reactions.  In August 2013, the U.S Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new warning about paracetamol.  It stated that the drug could cause rare, but fatal skin reactions such as Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

I personally feel that pain and discomfort in the body usually indicates a much deeper issue within the body, whether that is physical or psychological.  We all know that stress and worry can bring on tension headaches, and when we feel our back or neck is out of alignment, we can often experience headaches as a result.  Treating headaches naturally can be tricky and involve trial and error.  It’s a good idea to track or keep notes on your headaches, if this is a recurrent issue for you, and try to establish any triggers – food, environmental toxins, personal products, hormones, etc.

The Simplest Remedy stocks many products that can help you ease the pain of a headache without overloading your body with more chemicals and toxins to process.  These products ignite your body’s natural healing powers to block pain, excrete toxins and increase oxygen levels in the body so that you can get back to feeling like your old self.  

Owen Homoeopathics

Taking the correct remedy at the first sign of a headache, can stop it from developing further.  However, in the event that the pain is well established, an hourly dose of your chosen remedy may be needed for several doses.  

* Arnica: Bruised, achey feeling especially after a bump to the head.  Sharp pain worse from stooping.

* Belladonna: Throbbing and congestion, pupils dilated, face flushed.  Worse in the sun or from jarring or sudden movement.

* Bryonia: Bruised, sharp, stabbing pain.  Much worse from movement, even just the eyes.  Better from pressure and lying quietly in a dark room.  I have used this remedy many times with great relief.

* Calc Phos: A great remedy for children who are experiencing headaches.  Especially at times of rapid growth.  There may be fatigue, tummy aches and leg pains.  May be whiny, bored and discontented, and crave salty foods.

* Gelsemium: Dull, congestive headache and a heavy, drowsy feeling.  Tight band around the head especially across the forehead.  

* Kali Bic: Sinus headache.  Pain over the eyebrows or under the eyes, especially the right side.  Bones of the head sore.  Worse from cold and better from pressure.  This remedy is the Sinus Complex as well. 

* Kali Phos: Headache from study, stress and overstrain of the nervous system.  A great tonic for students, school children and intellectual types.  

* Nat Mur: Hammering headache with tears and watery discharge from the nose.  Misty vision or zig-zag lights accompany the headache.

* Nux Vomica: Frontal headache with piercing pain and tension in the neck especially after over-work, late nights or over-indulgence.

* Headache Complex: Contains Belladonna and other remedies that have not been listed about but have been used traditionally to treat headaches.  

For more information and remedies on headaches, read Owen Homoeopathics Headache Factsheet.

Australian Bush Flower Essences:

At the first sign of headache for me, I usually go straight for Emergency Essence.  If it’s really bad, I will put a dose in my drinking water and sip it throughout the day while I take other measures.  You may find it effective for the headache after a fall or a bump to the head, otherwise Tall Yellow Top essence in the Adol combination may relieve the headache associated with neck pain.  

For stress or tension headaches, try a dose of Calm Your Farm and or try the Calm & Clear Daily Moisturiser which you can gently rub in to your temples.  

If you think your headache is a result of something you ate, or due to constipation, Purifying Essence will help eliminate toxins and relieve digestive upsets.

If you’d like a flower essence blend personalised for your needs, you can contact me here.  

Other Tips and Ideas:

• Heat packs can help relieve tension and relax muscles to relieve headaches.
• Cold washer on the forehead can help constrict blood vessels which may relieve the ache of a headache.
• Ensure your body is hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
• Stress can cause tension headaches and migraines, so keeping your stress levels in check may also help relieve headaches.
• Chiropractic treatment can be of great benefit when dealing with ongoing or frequent headaches.
• Monitoring caffeine, sugar, gluten and dairy intake can help pinpoint if the headache is coming from diet.
• Reduce toxins in the environment by replacing cleaning products with natural remedies such as vinegar and bi-carb.
• Diet can initiate a headache or exacerbate symptoms so keep a close eye on how your body feels after eating. Sugar, eggs, grains and dairy are the main culprits.
• Try blue-light reducing glasses if you spend a lot of time in front of screens and feel this may be a contributing factor to your headaches.
• If your headache persists, it is recommended you see a health professional for advice.

Sources:

1. Owen, J. (2010). Homoeopathy for the home prescriber. Western Australia, AUSTRALIA: QDirect.
2. White, I. (2009). Happy Healthy Kids. From conception to age 7 with Australian Bush Flower Essences. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.
3. Young Living Essential Oils. (2011). Essential Oils Pocket Reference (5th ed.). United States of America: Life Science Publishing.
4. Raybern, D. (2010). Gentle Babies. Essential Oils and Natural Remedies for Pregnancy, Childbirth, Infants and Young Children (3rd ed.). United States of America: Growing Healthy Homes LLC.
5. Wikipedia – Paracetamol. (n.d.). Retrieved July, 6, 2014, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paracetamol#Adverse_effects.

Disclaimer:

This blog is not intended to replace the service of a qualified practitioner. Any application of the recommendations set forth in this blog is at the reader’s discretion and sole risk.