Pressure!  Physical and emotional stressors are at the root of most headaches. Even though medical researchers across the country have managed to identify approximately 14-15 different types of headaches divided into 2 subgroups, most headaches track back to heightened physical and/or emotional stress on the body.  That may seem quite daunting, especially for those who experience discomfort in the head regularly.  The good news is that the majority of us only experience a few of these different kinds of headaches: Tension, Migraine, Cluster, Sinus, Hormone, and Rebound headaches.

Before breaking down the different types of headaches, no matter what kind of buzz may be starting in your brain, one of the first things to try when experiencing the onset of discomfort in the head is hydrating.  The brain and nervous system are composed of approximately 80-85% water so dehydration can play a major role in the onset and severity of a headache, no matter what the root cause may be.  Sometimes getting ahead of that discomfort is key.  We can often feel the urge to reach into our medicine cabinet for the big guns, so to speak, but herbs may help here also.  Herbs like White Willow Bark, Ginkgo Biloba, Rosemary, Ginger and even Cayenne may help to open capillaries and support blood flow to the brain.  In addition to hydration and perhaps a small snack to rule out blood sugar balance, Ouch, Inflaease, and Think by Herbally Grounded may be sufficient to discourage or address the onset of discomfort in the head.

Medical researchers have classified hormone, tension, and migraine headaches separately, but from an alternative perspective, it would seem these 3 may actually stem from varying degrees of heightened physical and/or emotional stress.  This is then tied to overall hormonal imbalance in the body.  We have been mentally trained to separate physical stress from emotional stress, but the two are often tied together.  For any of the following types of headaches, establishing a routine which includes a regular full night’s rest, a regular eating and hydrating schedule, and some recreation and exercise surrounding work life is most helpful.  This does not mean that a person will never experience stress or headaches when trying to stick to a routine, but it is easier for the body to maintain or return to balance after moments of stress when there is routine.

Hormonal Headaches

Female menstruation is usually the first mentioned supposed cause of hormonal headaches, but men can experience this type as well.  It is fluctuations in testosterone levels which can trigger this type of headache in men.  An easy way to know if regular discomfort in the head is associated with hormonal imbalances is to track headache frequency.  If the headaches are occurring around the same time(s) each month, there is a good chance they are hormonally related.

In addition to developing a more balanced life routine, hormone balancing herbs may help.  Some favorites for men or women are Saw Palmetto, Damiana, Dong Quai, and Blessed Thistle.  All of these herbs can be found in Might for Men, Restore, and My Secret by Herbally Grounded.  All three formulas are available in capsule or liquid, making them easy to add to any supplemental regimen to support baseline hormonal balance.

Tension Headaches

You may often hear a person say “I hold a lot of my stress in my shoulders.”  This indicates that the person knows when they are emotionally stressed because they feel physical tension in their shoulders.  This is the mind/body connection.  Physical tension in the back, shoulders, and neck can then manifest into discomfort in the head.  This also usually indicates that there is heightened cortisol and adrenaline in the body.  Elevated stress hormones are linked to immune compromise and heightened inflammatory response.  Tension headaches may also be recurring after the body has experienced trauma, such as a car accident.  The tissues tend to be more prone to tension and inflammation after trauma, so some extra care may need to be taken to support healthy physical and emotional stress response.  It may be time to evaluate your routines, or lack thereof, to determine the source(s) of stress and if anything can be done to mitigate or address the source(s) thereof.

In addition to the baseline hormone support formulas, herbs for calming physical and emotional tension in the body may be helpful.  Herbs like St. John’s Wort, Hops, Wild Lettuce, and Kava Kava Root are all excellent for supporting the nervous system and its response to physical and emotional stress.  The adrenals may even appreciate a little love from herbs like Ashwagandha Root, Amla Berry, Holy Basil, and Schizandra Berry.  All of these herbs and more can be found in Chill, Happy Juice, Herb Fuel, Herbal Dreamer and Ouch by Herbally Grounded.  Applying topicals, like Kalm Balm by Connective Threads, may also be helpful for relaxing physical and emotional tension.

Migraine Headaches

Migraines are somewhat of a mystery even to medical researchers.  They do know that for those who suffer these types of headaches, they are typically cyclical, which would again indicate some kind of hormonal connection.  They can, however, also be triggered by environmental factors like pollution, pollen, barometric pressure and temperature changes, etc.  Additionally, there does seem to be a hereditary component; usually if one or both parents experience migraines, there is a good chance their children will too. What differentiates migraines from other headaches is the level of discomfort.  They are usually debilitating and often coincide with light, sound, and motion sensitivity accompanied by nauseated sensation.  The best way to discourage these types of headaches is by developing a healthy life routine which can coincide with maintaining hormonal balance in the body.  

For those who experience this level of discomfort regularly, a great deal of research has been conducted utilizing Feverfew Herb.  It has been found repeatedly that daily consumption of Feverfew seems to discourage regular onset of migraines.  It can be helpful, in addition to Amazing Greens and a baseline hormone balancer.  Other things that may help if discomfort begins to take hold are Ouch and/or Inflaease, Chill, and Think.  It may even be helpful to begin taking Ginger Root and/or Mint herbs in whatever form you prefer to discourage nauseated sensation.  It can be difficult to hydrate and consume any other supportive herbs or supplements if nausea manifests.  Castor Oil packs on the head and topicals containing mentholated herbs like Peppermint can also be helpful and soothing.  Some personal favorites are Volcano Oil from Maui Excellent or Body Heat from Aloe Life.  If you are not a fan of the menthol odor, Kalm Balm by Connective Threads may be an excellent alternative.

Cluster Headaches

Cluster headaches are often acute bursts of discomfort, ranging from a throb to a piercing sting, in or around one eye and one side of the head.  They can sometimes be so extreme and random they can wake someone from sleep, but are typically associated with eye strain and/or inflammation in the sinus passages.  Other symptoms which often coincide with cluster headaches can be an earache, runny nose, and inflammation, redness, and watering of the eye on the side of the head affected.  Many who are experiencing this type of headache may be spending too much time in front of screens either voluntarily or involuntarily.  If your work requires you to spend a great deal of time in front of screens, it can be helpful to utilize a blue light filter option on your devices if available.  If this option is not built in, you may be able to obtain blue light blocking lenses without a prescription.  Even still, it is a good idea to take breaks from screens for about 15 minutes every 2 hours to rest your eyes and move your body.  These small breaks are still productive in their own way.  Stepping away from your work can help to free your mind, and when you return to work you may suddenly have a resolution to a problem you were working on.  The brain is still working in the background while you step away for some water and sunshine.

Herbs and supplements like Bilberry Fruit, Eyebright, Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola,  Lutein, and Antioxidants can be helpful for supporting the eyes with their response to this kind of stress.  If dryness is also an issue, Omega-3s may be beneficial to support moisture in the eyes as well.  Bright Eyes and Think by Herbally Grounded and Eyes Love Lutein by Oregon’s Wild Harvest are a great start if you find yourself in front of the screen on a regular basis.

Sinus Headache

Many are familiar with the puffy eyes and cheeks, accompanied by the pressure, labored breathing, and even runny nose which accompany a sinus headache.  Much of the discomfort of these kinds of headaches sits forward in the face, in the nose, around the eyes, and possibly into the ears depending on the level of congestion in the sinus passages.  Usually these symptoms cyclically manifest with the changing of the seasons, and can be further aggravated by other environmental factors such as pollution and wildfires.  The respiratory passages in the sinuses as well as the lungs rely heavily on hydration to balance mucosal production and elimination.  Hydration is still one of the first things to try in the initial stages of a sinus headache as it can help to thin mucus and make it easier for the passages to drain down the throat or out of the nostrils.

Many who have experienced sinus headaches and seasonal intolerances often choose to consume local honey and pollen to build the body’s natural immunity to those stressors.  If honey and pollen are not an available or viable option, Allergena is a company which provides the allergens of the different United States regions in a homeopathic form, providing similar support to local honey and pollen.  Some universal options which help to support the body’s histamine and inflammatory response anywhere you go are herbs like Ephedra, Lobelia, Elderberry, Mullein, Nettle, and Sea Moss.  Quercetin and N-Acetyl Cysteine(NAC) are also quite helpful for supporting inflammatory responses within the nasal passages. Breathe and Hello Blossom by Herbally Grounded, Irish Sea Moss and Sea Moss Blend from Wild Garden of Herbs, and Breathe-X by Life Seasons are just some of the options to assist with seasonal histamine response and sinus pressure.  Even Bright Eyes and Ouch may help if the inflammation and congestion have already settled in.

Rebound Headaches

In most medical articles, Rebound Headaches strictly refer to the overconsumption of medications used to address headaches, making them the most cruel of all, as the solution is also the trigger.  Even still, the need for excessive intake of these kinds of medications can still be linked back to the previously mentioned need to address physical and emotional stress loads overall.  Other types of triggers that could be associated with rebound headaches could also be sugar or caffeine intake.  Some may experience discomfort in the head after consuming an excess of either or both of these substances and then suddenly cutting themselves off.  The overconsumption of these and other stimulant-type substances is also usually linked back to an overabundance of physical and/or emotional stress.

If you find yourself reacting in the opposite way to the things which used to help you, it may be time to assess your physical and emotional stress levels, your daily routine, consumption habits, and adjust accordingly.  It may be necessary to slowly wean back on anything that has been consumed in excess and possibly eliminate those things entirely after a time.  This may be a great time to reach for an herb over something more extreme in the first aid kit.  As previously mentioned, there are many herbs and formulas out there which could be used to assist with discomfort in the head.

Conclusion

This blog is not meant to prescribe or diagnose.  It is simply a summary of research collected from articles written on headaches by The Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Harvard.  Most headaches are nothing more than a signal from the body that we need to slow down.  That being said, all of the articles from which this information was gathered mentioned that experiencing headaches more than 15 days in a month is considered chronic and may need further diagnosis by a medical professional.  It is recommended to keep a journal to track the frequency, duration, location, severity, and any other symptoms which may coincide with discomfort in the head so it can later be shared with a primary healthcare provider for further analysis.