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HeadWay, Issue #099 -- Unusual remedies September 21, 2012 |
| Hi! *Please note: URLs may wrap onto the next line. To visit the website, cut and paste the entire URL into your address bar on your browser* In this month's issue: Unusual remediesRecently at Headache and Migraine NewsSay what?! AromatherapyUnusual remediesRecently I updated our page of headache home remedies. I have to admit, I've read a LOT of tips - and if you've had chronic headache or migraine for any length of time, you've probably heard a lot of unusual remedies yourself!I'm sure I could fill a lot of newsletters full of home remedies. But here are the top 5 unusual remedies that I didn't include on the main page. These aren't necessarily recommended - but, of course, some people swear by them! The warm salt pack: This is actually more or less a heating pad, but could the smell of salt also have a therapeutic effect? Take a cup of salt and roast it in a dry frying pan, until it's hot to the touch. Then put it in a towel, wash cloth, or linen pillow case. Rub it on the area where you're having pain (don't keep it in one place). The paper bag: This one is pretty simple - at the onset of a headache, simply breath into a paper bag for a few minutes. Some people even recommend doing this for 5-10 minutes every day. Remember, a paper bag can "breathe", so you won't be oxygen deprived. If you use a plastic bag, every few breaths be sure to take a breath of fresh air outside the bag! The tonics: Oh, there are a million tonics you can make for headache, and a million more for sale! Of course, Coca-Cola began its life as a headache tonic. This one from Definitive Guide to Headaches by Milne, More and Golberg: Fill a large pot with water and mix in small pieces of fresh ginger root, coriander seeds, diced garlic, and a little honey to taste. Boil off half the liquid and drink what is left periodically throughout the day. Rubber bands: Put one rubber/elastic band on each finger, at the joint closest to your fingernail. Leave them on for no more than 9 minutes (you don't want to kill any fingers by cutting off the circulation!). That's it! Fruit attack: Sometimes foods that can trigger headache/migraine attacks can also cure them. If you don't find kiwi or banana to be triggers, try eating two bananas or two kiwis when you feel a headache coming on. Apparently this can restore some of the balance in your body, such as raising your blood sugar and filling you up with healthy potassium. Visit this page for more headache home remedies. Recently at Headache and Migraine NewsHere are some recent posts you won't want to miss:
Say what?! AromatherapyAromatherapy is a word that has been much abused. True aromatherapy uses plant compounds - usually essential oils - to promote physical and psychological well-being. Aromatherapy is NOT just about odors. The study of odors for therapy is aromachology. That means that your nice smelling shampoo is probably not aromatherapy, not matter what the bottle says.Aromatherapy generally uses the complex plant derived essential oils. The smells and chemical properties probably play a part in the therapy. Read this recent post about some research on aromatherapy and essential oils. Thanks for reading! Remember, if you have feedback or ideas for future issues, visit the HeadWay MailRoom. Your password is nomoache. |
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