Natural remedies for headaches

Headaches are a very common term used to describe pain that results from tension in the meninges and in the blood vessels as well as in the muscles of the scalp (The British Medical Association Illustrated Medical Dictionary). It varies in type, intensity, significance and clinical presentation depending on the cause. In most cases, a headache is caused by stress and anxiety although other more severe cases that often result in a migraine (more disabling type of headache) include hypertension, sinusitis, meningitis or brain haemorrhage to name a few. Recurrence and intensity of the headache are main factors in determining the magnitude/significance of the headache and whether further investigation is necessary (Marcovitch, 2005 ). Due to the increase in popularity of natural medicine, many people are drifting away from conventional medicine to treat their various conditions of which headaches and migraines are of the most prevalent reasons for doing so (BK Vogler, 1998). One of the reasons why many people tend towards natural medicine is because they are dissatisfied with conventional medicine e.g. too many adverse effects, costly and ineffective treatment (Astin, 1998). Some of the alternative therapies used in treatment of headaches that dates back to ancient times include herbal remedies, acupuncture, acupressure, music therapy, relaxation techniques (e.g. meditation, yoga), massage, aromatherapy and cupping which is commonly used in Unani Tibb medicine.

The Classification of headaches: Unani Tibb v.s. Allopathic/conventional medicine

According to Tibb philosophy there are four main types of headaches categorised according to each temperament and there specific location on the head. These headaches present differently due to different causes such as excess or imbalance of the humours as a result of improper diet or other causes related to lifestyle factors or trauma. The four main headaches classified by Tibb philosophy include: melancholic headache, bilious headache, sanguinous headache and a phlegmatic headache. There is also a strong link between predisposition to these types of headaches and the individual’s temperament e.g. individuals with a dominant phlegmatic temperament will be more inclined to phlegmatic headaches (frontal headaches).

Melancholic headaches are due to excess or abnormal melancholic humour associated with excess cold & dryness present in the body due to factors such as stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, excess intake of cold and dry food and drink (e.g. tea/coffee, sour foods, and lack of water intake) or emotions like grief. It presents with pain and discomfort in the occipital area (back) of the head which may become generalised and spread to the neck and shoulders. A bilious headache can be described as pain occurring in the parietal areas of the head and temples, either bilateral or unilateral distribution. It is often described as a throbbing sensation and is associated with excess heat and dryness in the system associated with excess or abnormal bilious humour. Some of the causes related to this type of headache are excessive exposure to heat and dryness from the external and internal environment such as standing in the heat of summer for long hours, excess intake of alcohol, excessive emotions like anger and frustration, excessive strenuous exercise, lack of water intake, and excessive intake of spicy food. When the headache is on located on the top part of the head (sagital area) it is called a sanguinous headache. The causes of a sanguinous headache are an excess or abnormal state of sanguinous humour associated with excess heat and moistness. This is commonly due to hypervolaemia which occurs mostly in individuals with hypertension (sanguinous hypertension). Other causes include excessive intake of salty foods, a diet high in hot and moist foods, and strenuous exercise. Phlegmatic headaches are located in the frontal area due to an excessive amount of moistness and cold in the system associated with abnormal or excess phlegmatic humour. This is prevalent in conditions such as colds and flu as well as in situations of over exposure to cold and rainy environments, excessive intake of cold & moist food and drink (e.g. rice, dairy, cold drinks), emotions like depression and sadness, excessive sleep and lack of exercise (Manxiwa, 2009). 

 

In allopathic medicine, the classification of headaches is quite extensive based on the cause, presentation, distribution, associated factors and precipitating factors. Headaches associated with pain above the eye or in the cheekbone area uni- or bilaterally can be correlated with a phlegmatic headache. A tension headache on the other hand has a wider distribution as it is usually bilateral but may be generalised or localised to the back of the head and upper neck or to the frontotemporal area so it is hard to match this exactly with a headache of Tibb philosophy. However, the symptoms associated with a tension headache can give a better perspective on the specific link to the Tibb philosophy e.g. if the tension headache is associated with anxiety and stress it is more likely that the headache will be most prominent in the occipital area associated with a melancholic headache but if symptoms of depression are present instead then it is most likely a frontal phlegmatic headache. A cluster headache on the other hand is usually unilateral and precipitated by alcohol (has a quality of heat and dryness) which suggests that this type of headache could be linked to a bilious headache (Bate's guide to physical examination and history taking 10th ed., 2009).

Anecdotal remedies for headaches

• Peppermint is said to dull a tension headache when a few drops of oil is massaged onto the temples (Mandile, 2003). Despite having been used for its medicinal values for thousands of years by the Egyptian, Greek and Roman eras, peppermint was only officially recognised in the 17^th century. Double-blind scientific studies revealed that peppermint decreases pain sensitivity thus relieving tension headaches (Joseph E. Pizzorno, 1999) . Peppermint creates a cooling sensation and its scent acts as a carminative and clears nasal passages which can be especially useful if the headache is caused by stress or sinus pressure (Melgren, 2010).
• The application of eucalyptus oil to the forehead or as an inhalant can also help with headaches (especially associated with congestion) by exerting a soothing and relaxing sensation to the muscles and clear nasal passages (Melgren, 2010).
• Feverfew: for centuries it has been used in treatment of migraines (mostly prophylactic) and as a febrifuge. Studies conducted in Britain during the 1970’s-1980 have concluded that feverfew (dried leaves) reduced the number and severity of attacks in patients who suffer from migraines (Joseph E. Pizzorno, 1999).
• Lavender can be used externally for headaches as a lotion or as an inhalant using the essential oil (Felter, 2001). The scent of lavender has a carminative effect and has been proven to be effective in treatment of headaches associated with insomnia, stress and anxiety (Melgren, 2010).
• Roman chamomile and valerian root is also known for its use in treatment of headaches (McClintock, 1999).
• Belladonna is also a well known herb used in specific doses for treating congestion, throbbing congestive headache, nervo-congestive headaches; or for dull, heavy headaches with feelings of drowsiness (Felter, 2001)
• The root of Bryonia dioica (commonly known as Bryonia) is practically unused in mainstream medicine but very well known to Homeopaths for its use for headaches that occur mostly in frontal regions due to congestion but can spread to occiput regions with eyes pain and exacerbated by movement (Felter, 2001).
• Another interesting herb used for occipital headaches is oats (Avena sativa).
• Solanum dulcamara (Bittersweet) is a remedy used for all conditions associated with cold and dampness such as congestive headaches (Blair, 1907).
• Nigella sativa (Black seed) was recommended by both Dioscorides and Ibn Sina for use in treatment of headaches (Goreja, 2003).
• Other forms of alternative therapies used in treatment of headaches include acupressure, acupuncture, reflexology, massage therapy and cupping which work on the energy meridians of the body to unblock energy channels to allow energy flow through the body (Carson-DeWitt, 2009).

Correlating Tibb philosophy to the anecdotal remedies for headaches

According to Tibb philosophy, treatment follows the healing cycle where the quality and humoural imbalance of a disorder is managed with the opposite frames (In an acute condition) or adjacent frames (in chronic conditions).

Figure .Healing cycle

A good example is the use of eucalyptus oil which has a hot & dry quality in treatment of phlegmatic headaches associated with congestion which has a cold & moist quality and usually presents as an acute condition. This has proven to be effective as a form of treatment when used as an inhalant, compress or during massage. Lavender has a dry & hot quality with carminative and sedative properties (Kisten, 2009). Uses for lavender include treatment of headaches associated with insomnia, stress and tension which are all associated with an excess cold & dry quality of the melancholic humour which is also most commonly a chronic problem. It makes perfect sense that this type of headache will be treated with the adjacent frames: dry & hot (lavender), hot & dry and hot & moist quality frames; as this will gradually increase the amount of heat then moistness in the system thus decreasing melancholic humour. Oats has a hot & moist quality and is therefore effective in treatment of an acute occipital melancholic headache (cold & dry) as it lie in the opposite quality frame thus increasing moistness and heat in the system and decreasing the amount of coldness and dryness. The quality of the herb, Belladonna, is not exactly clear but its actions and indications would suggest that it has a Dry and hot quality since it dries up mucous secretions (Moore, 1995). Anecdotal evidence shows that Belladonna is used for congestion and headaches associated with congestion with symptoms of sleepiness and drowsiness that correlates to excess phlegmatic humour which is a cold & moist imbalance (Felter, 2001).

Anecdotal remedies vs. Spiritual/religious remedies

Some spiritual healing techniques are one of the most ancient techniques known to man. These forms of healing practices are said to guide the individual to different levels and places in themselves through various techniques such as prayer, contemplation, meditation, drumming, storytelling and mythology thereby awakening the energies of the spirit towards healing and represent contact with the spiritual dimension. The main concept of spirituality is not to undermine religions but to enhance them and find common ground amongst all people to exclude our differences and unite due to our similarities (Kaszubski, 2004). This differs significantly to anecdotal remedies for headaches as the latter is based on the effects of the herbs or alternative therapies on the body whilst the other is more focused on an energetic and spiritual level.

In the Muslim society, Black Seed has great religious value as it was quoted by the prophet (Peace be upon him) over 1400 years ago that Black Seed is a cure for all diseases except death (Goreja, 2003). So in this case, people started using Black Seed merely due to religious or spiritual reasons and it was very effective until quite recently when actual scientific evidence proved the effectiveness of the herb. This is a clear example of the difference between spiritual/religious healing and anecdotal remedies. Certain schools of thought believe that a headache (especially recurring ones) can be an indication of ghosts, demons, evil spirits or negative energies invading the individual and in this case spiritual healing (chanting, meditation and prayer) is done to eradicate these evil spirits (Control of migraine/severe headache through spiritual healing remedies, 2010). Faith healing refers to the use of prayer and belief in the power of God to treat disease and other disorders. During this type of healing, faith healer use lying of hands to enhance healing. A strong belief in a higher power is believed to enhance the mind-body state and accelerate the healing response (Navarra, 2004).

Some of the Biblical herbs used to treat headaches include coriander, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, barley, henna, myrtle, vetiver and horse radish (Duke, 2008).

Quotations from Duke’s Handbook of Medicinal Herbs of the Bible referring to these herbs include:

And the house of Israel called the name thereof Manna: and it was like coriander seed, white; and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Exodus 16:31 (KJV)

I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together. Isaiah 41:19 (KJV)

Islamic sufi healing is another example of religious/spiritual healing which is based on prayer, chanting, meditation as well as use of essential oils and other practices in order for healing to occur. Sufi healers believe that healing the sick is the most important duty to humanity. Also included in these practices are dietary recommendations of the Prophet (Pbuh), the preparation of herbal formulas, healing with essential oils, fasting and prayer, and talismans (Navarra, 2004).

In African traditional medicine, a sangoma (shaman/healer) plays the role as the healer and they are a selected few who are said to have been given “the calling” to heal. They heal by a certain process and are largely linked to the psychic world and similar media. They rely upon ancestors who guide them to diagnose and treat illnesses and its cause to ward off evil spirits using various tools e.g. bones, herbs, dolls and personal possessions of the individual (Navarra, 2004).

Alternative/ Natural medicine can be very effective in treatment of most types of headaches and it can definitely be the solution to the eradication of OTC drugs/medication like NSAID’s that can have long term implications on one’s health due to its harmful side effects. A more natural and holistic approach can be easily adopted by society if more people become aware of the various forms of natural treatment methods available to them. There are various options available but some will be more appropriate than others depending on your school of thought and what you are open to. One of the most popular and simple methods of treating a headache includes simple home remedies that can be inexpensive and effective. One should not however, that a recurring headache with other neurological symptoms should be closely monitored and attended to by a specialist to rule out any severe/life threatening diseases.

References

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