Folk remedies for headaches have been around since the dawn of time. In the days before modern medicine, people relied on old-fashioned advice to treat their ailments. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is a great source of information about these traditional folk remedies. From placing leeches on your forehead to rubbing cow dung and molasses on your temples, these strange methods may seem far-fetched, but they were actually used in the past as a way to relieve headaches.
It’s important to remember that these folk remedies should be approached with caution and are not recommended for use today. However, it can be interesting to explore some of the more humorous ways people tried to cure their headaches in the past. For example, one remedy involved drinking a mixture of beer and gunpowder! While this may sound like an odd combination, it was believed that this concoction could help alleviate pain and tension in the head.
So, if you’re looking for a good laugh or just curious about how people used to treat their headaches, take a look at some of these old-fashioned folk remedies from The Old Farmer’s Almanac!
Folk Remedies for Headaches
These 16 folk remedies for headaches were tried and tested in the past, though we now advise avoiding most of these “solutions” at home!
- Applying leeches to your forehead
- Applying cow dung and molasses to your temples
- Mixing beer and gunpowder to make a drink
- Eating a live toad
- Wearing a necklace made of nine different kinds of beans
- Rubbing your forehead with an onion
- Placing a piece of uncooked steak on your eyes
- Soaking in a vinegar and rosemary bath
- Applying a wet, chilled cloth to your forehead (this one still seems reasonable!)
- Placing an uncooked strip of bacon on your head
- Warming up with a cup of milk, honey, and nutmeg
- Eating a boiled egg with salt and pepper
- Drinking a mixture of vinegar and water
- Rubbing an apple on your forehead
- Eating a slice of bread with honey and butter (that doesn’t sound too bad!)
- Placing a hot brick wrapped in cloth on your forehead
- Tying a buzzard’s head around your neck
- Chewing powdered moss
- Having someone else rub your head; the headache will be transferred to that person, but it will be less severe
- Having someone read the Bible to you
- Standing on your head or spinning around until you are dizzy
- Soaking your feet in hot water to draw blood from your head
- Running around the house three times
- Rubbing your head with a piece of stone
- Having someone else drive a nail into the tree and leaning your head against the opposite side
What Causes Headaches?
There are a few common types of headaches, including sinus headaches, tension headaches, and stress headaches. Headache pain can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, dehydration, and certain medications. It’s important to identify the cause of your headache so that you can find the best treatment for it. If you’re experiencing frequent or severe headaches, it’s always a good idea to consult with your doctor to determine the underlying cause.
Migraine headaches are another type of headache disorder. Migraines headaches can also be caused by a number of things, including:
- Hormonal changes
- Certain foods or drinks
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Bright lights or loud noises
- Weather changes
- Strong smells
In addition to these triggers, certain medical conditions can also cause migraine attacks. These include:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Thyroid problems
- Sleep apnea
Individuals suffering from migraines often experience symptoms such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Visual disturbances, such as seeing spots or flashing lights
- Throbbing pain on one side of the head
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention. Your doctor can help determine the cause of your migraine and provide treatment options that may help reduce the frequency and intensity.
These old-fashioned folk remedies are definitely a little out there, and most of them are pretty gross. If you want real relief, give us a call now to schedule an appointment.
