There are more than 100 types of headaches. Among them, the most common types are migraine, tension headache, sinus headache, and cluster headache. A person may feel a headache in only one part of the head or more than one region. The various regions include the frontal (forehead), temples (sides of the head), vertex (top of head), and occiput (back of the head). In some cases, the pain starts from a particular area of the head and then reaches another area.

The homeopathic mode of treatment carries a great scope to treat cases of headache. Both chronic as well as recent headaches can be treated wonderfully and naturally with homeopathic medicines. Homeopathic medicines not only provide relief in acute headache cases but also aim to treat the root cause behind it for a complete cure in chronic headaches. Along with headache, any attending symptoms like nausea, vomiting, flashes of light in front of the eyes, nasal discharge, nasal congestion, eye-watering also get well managed with these medicines. In conventional treatment, usually pain killers are prescribed to get relief from headache. These medicines give only temporary relief.  They can be habit-forming and also carry the risk of side effects.

Homeopathy treats different headaches differently

Homeopathy is highly recommended to treat many types of headaches. With regular use of homeopathic medicines for the period as guided by a homeopathic doctor, the intensity and frequency of the recurrence of headache seem to gradually decline. Homeopathy is recommended only when there is no serious cause behind the headache. So it should be kept in mind that in cases of serious causes (like very high blood pressure, meningitis, ruptured aneurysm), immediate help from conventional mode should be taken.

Individualized Medication

Homeopathic medicines are always prescribed keeping the individual in mind. Many factors are kept in mind to finalize the homeopathic prescription. These mainly include the side of the headache, the location of the headache (like side, back, top or front of head), time of the day or night, the worsening and relieving factors for the headache, the attending symptoms, and also the cause behind the headache. Such individualized homeopathic treatment tends to bring great recoveries in headache cases.

Safe, natural medicines

Homeopathic medicines for treating headache are of natural origin and hence are highly safe to use among persons of all age groups. They have no side effects at all. Even with long term use, no adverse effects have been noted.

Top 11 Homeopathic Medicines for Headache

The top 11 well-known homeopathic remedies for managing headache are Belladonna, Glonoinum, Natrum Mur, Iris Versicolor, Kali Phos, Kali Bichromicum, Epiphegus, Sanguinaria Canadensis, Spigelia Anthelmintica, Carbo Veg and Ruta Graveolens.

1. Belladonna – Top Ranked Medicine for Headache

Belladonna is a top-listed medicine for headache. It is a natural medicine prepared from a plant named Deadly Nightshade of the natural order Solanaceae. For using this medicine, the nature of pain in the head remains throbbing and pulsating type. Fullness in the head may also be felt. Pains come suddenly and tend to cease suddenly. Pain is most marked on the sides of the head (temporal region). Along with headache, there is redness of the eyes and face. Headache triggered from light is also indicative of using Belladonna. Besides, headache that are triggered by noise or exposure to cold air are also treated well with this medicine. Applying pressure over the head, tight bandaging or wrapping up the head relieves pain in most cases needing Belladonna.

When to use Belladonna?

Its use should be considered in throbbing, pulsating type of headache most marked on the sides of the head usually triggered from bright light, noise and cold air exposure.

How to use Belladonna?

It works well in both low and high potencies. Initially, it is best to take it in 30C potency two to three times a day.

2. Glonoinum – For Congestive Headache Triggered From Sun Expsoure

Glonoinum is the next highly effective medicine for headache. Glonoinum is a top-listed homeopathic medicine for headache from sun exposure. Its use is highly recommended for summer headaches. It is mainly helpful in case of a headache that is congestive in nature. There is a sensation as if all the blood in the body has surged to the head with extreme congestion. There is also a constriction in the vessels of the head. Throbbing, bursting sensation is felt in the head. The person feels every pulsation in the head. Extreme fullness is felt in the head with a feeling as if it would burst. Heat is felt in the head with severe pain in the forehead, and throbbing in the temples. Vertigo may arise along with flashes of heat on the face, head, and throbbing headache. The face appears red, flushed with heat. Headache may get worse from motion or jar. In most cases needing Glonoinum, the headache is relieved by sleep.

When to use Glonoinum?

Its use is highly recommended for congestive headache with bursting sensation in the head triggered from sun exposure.

How to use Glonoinum?

Both 30C or 200C potency of this medicine give amazing results. In the beginning two to three doses of this medicine in 30C potency can be used per day.

3. Natrum Mur – For Headache In Females Around Menses Or Due To Sun Exposure

Natrum Mur is the next well-indicated medicine for treating headache. Natrum Mur is a very beneficial medicine for headache in women around the menstrual cycle. The woman needing this remedy has a headache immediately before/after menses or during menses. It is also a suitable medicine for headache from sun exposure. Headache from sunrise till sunset is attended well with this medicine. The nature of headache is throbbing in nature usually with heat in the head. In some cases, there is a sensation as if many little hammers are being knocking in the head. Headache is the most marked in the forehead. Headache due to eye strain caused by reading is also indicative to use this medicine. Natrum Mur is also useful for headache where profuse watering from the eyes or disturbed vision occurs. Headache beginning with blindness or zig-zag dazzling, like lightning in eyes, is another characteristic feature to use this medicine.

When to use Natrum Mur?

The use of this medicine is highly suggested to manage headache in females that gets worse around the menstrual cycle. It is also recommended to manage headache from sun exposure and for headache from sunrise to sunset.

How to use Natrum Mur?

Its use is preferred in 6X potency and can be taken twice or thrice a day.

4. Iris Versicolor – For Headache Attended With Nausea And Vomiting

Iris Versicolor is prepared from a plant commonly named Blue Flag of the family Iridaceae. It is an excellent medicine for headache accompanied with nausea, vomiting. Vomiting is mainly bitter, sour in nature. Burning in the gastric tract is also present. The headache may be dull, shooting, and throbbing in nature. Other symptoms that may appear includes blurring of vision before headache, vertigo and constriction in the scalp.

When to use Iris Versicolor?

Opt its use when headache occurs along with attending nausea and vomiting.

How to use Iris Versicolor?

It can be used in 30C potency once or twice a day.

5. Kali Phos – For Tension/Stress Headache

Kali Phos is a very useful medicine for tension/stress headache. To use Kali Phos, the symptoms to look for include nervous headache, a sensation of weight in the back of the head, and weakness. There is pain across the forehead and in both the temples. The sensation of a band around the forehead just above the eyes is frequently felt. Sensitivity to noise also attends headache. There is marked tiredness along with headache. Stress headache triggered by stress, anxiety and emotional disturbance is a key pointer to use this medicine. The individuals needing Kali Phos are anxious, sad and full of worries. Kali Phos is also well-indicated for a headache that arises from mental exertion as in students.

When to use Kali Phos?

This medicine proves effective in cases of headache from stress, tension and headache arising from mental exertion like excessive studies.

How to use Kali Phos?

It is mostly used in 6X potency. Kali Phos 6X can be taken three to four times a day as per the intensity of symptoms.

6. Kali Bichromicum – For Sinus Headache

Kali Bichromicum is a very effective medicine for treating a sinus headache. The person needing this remedy has pain in the forehead above the eyes, with stoppage of the nose. The pain may be dull, or throbbing in nature. Frontal sinus feels congested. Another characteristic feature is mucus dripping in the throat from the posterior nares. In some cases vertigo, shooting pain at the root of the nose and thick yellowish-greenish discharge from nose also appears.

When to use Kali Bichromicum?

This medicine is the best solution for the cases of headache from sinus inflammation with pain marked in forehead above the eyes.

How to use Kali Bichromicum?

To start with, one can take this medicine in 30C power twice or thrice a day.

7. Epiphegus – For Headache from Exertion

Epiphegus is a helpful medicine for headache from exertion, mental/physical exhaustion. Epiphegus is prepared from a plant named beech drop of family Orobanchaceae. Pain is usually felt on the sides of the head (temporal region). The nature of pain is pressing type. The pain may radiate to the back of the head. A unique attending feature is increased saliva with constant spitting with headaches.

When to use Epiphegus?

It is suitable for cases of headache resulting from exertion, either physical or mental.

How to use Epiphegus?

It is advised to use Epiphegus 30C once or twice a day.

8. Sanguinaria Canadensis – For Headache on the Right Side

Sanguinaria Canadensis is a prominent medicine for right sided headache. This medicine is prepared from a plant commonly named bloodroot of the natural order Papaveraceae. Pain starting from the back of the head and then ascending up and locating over the right eye is the characteristic feature to use this medicine. Sleep or lying quietly in a dark room relieves the pain in most cases needing this remedy. Headache arising from fasting are also treated well with Sanguinaria Canadensis.

When to use Sanguinaria Canadensis?

The key indication for using this medicine is pain beginning from back of head radiating upwards and locating over right eye.

How to use Sanguinaria Canadensis?

It works most wonderfully in 30C potency that can be taken once or twice a day.

9. Spigelia Anthelmintica – For Left-Sided Headache

Spigelia Anthelmintica is prepared from a plant named Pinkroot of the family Loganiaceae. It is a useful medicine for left-sided headache. Headache located over the left side temporal region, forehead, and eyes are indicative symptoms of this medicine. Most people needing this remedy have pain that begins in the back of the head, extends up and settle over the left eye. The nature of pain is violent, throbbing and pulsating. Stooping may worsen headache in some cases. Pain in the eyeballs may attend the above symptoms that are seen to be aggravated from eye movement.

When to use Spigelia Anthelmintica?

The characteristic of using this medicine is a pain in the back of the head that extends upwards and finally settles over the left eye.

How to use Spigelia Anthelmintica?

It is best to start in 30C potency that can be taken once or twice in a day.

10. Carbo Veg – For Headache from Excessive Flatulence/Gas

Carbo Veg is an effective medicine for headache from excessive flatulence/gas. In addition to headache, there is bloating in the abdomen especially the upper abdomen. Belching (putrid, sour in nature), and heartburn may also attend. In some people, water brash may also appear.

When to use Carbo Veg?

This medicine can be prescribed to manage headache associated with excessive gas and bloating in the upper abdomen.

How to use Carbo Veg?

This medicine can be used in 30 C power two to three times a day.

11. Ruta Graveolens – For Headache From Eyestrain

Ruta Graveolens is a highly valuable medicine for headache arising from eyestrain. This medicine is prepared from a plant commonly called ‘garden rue’ belonging to the natural order Rutaceae. There is headache in the forehead due to eye strain arising from excessive reading, sewing, etc. The nature of pain may be aching, pulsating or stitching in nature. Heat in the eyes may also be present along with the above symptoms.

When to use Ruta Graveolens?

It is highly recommended to use this medicine for managing headache related to eyestrain.

How to use Ruta Graveolens?

It is suggested to take this medicine in 30C power one to two times daily.

Causes of headache

The headaches may arise either from an underlying medical condition or without an underlying medical condition. Depending upon the cause, headaches are classified into primary and secondary headaches.

1. Primary headaches

Primary headaches arise from overactivity of structures in the head that are sensitive to pain. Changes in chemical activity in the brain also play a role in primary headaches. Primary headaches do not relate to any separate underlying medical condition. Following are the common type of primary headaches:

-tension / stress headache

– migraine

– cluster headache

2. Secondary headaches

Secondary headaches are the ones that arise from an underlying medical condition. Secondary headaches are often a symptom of a disease. The reasons for secondary headaches include

– sinusitis / sinus infection

– high Blood Pressure

– Cervicogenic headache (headaches caused by problems with the nerves, bones, or muscles in the cervical spine (neck).

– gastrointestinal disorders

– dental complaints

– temporal arteritis

– post-traumatic (head injury)

– influenza

– Alcohol-induced hangover

-meningitis, encephalitis

Common Types of Headache

1. Migraine

Migraine refers to headache causes throbbing, pulsating pain, usually on one side of the head. The pain is severe and is often attended with nausea and vomiting. The cause of migraine is not clearly understood. However, genetics and environmental factors tend to play a role in migraine. There are many well-known triggers for the migraine attack. The major ones include stress, bright lights, noises, food (like fatty food, chocolates, caffeinated drinks, marinated food, cheese, fermented food), smoking, alcohol intake, MSG (monosodium glutamate), sun exposure, loss of sleep, strong odors, and tiredness. In addition to these hormonal fluctuations during menses or during menopause or during pregnancy can also trigger a migraine.

The symptoms of migraine include a one-sided headache. The major attending features include nausea, vomiting, aversion to light, noise, and talking. Some people experience a few symptoms before the migraine attack which helps them foresee that a migraine attack is about to come (aura). These symptoms include – seeing flashes of light, zig zags before eyes, dim vision, blurring of vision, numbness/tingling/pin needle sensation in the arms or around the mouth.

2. Cluster Headache

Cluster headache is a severe headache in which there is pain around one eye (periorbital headache). The pain comes in clusters (group) during which one or more than one episode of headache appears daily. The headache during the cluster period mostly appears at precisely the same hour each day. The duration of each episode of headache ranges from 15 minutes to 3 hrs. The cluster period lasts for weeks or months. This cluster period is followed by a period of remission during which no headaches appear at all. The remission period varies from months to years together. The reason behind a cluster headache is yet not known. A family history of cluster headache puts a person at risk.

Symptoms of cluster headache include one-sided pain located in or around the eye. This pain may radiate to the head, face or neck. Watering from the eye, swelling of eye, redness of the eye, nasal congestion, nasal discharge, and drooping of eyelids on the same side as the pain are a few accompanying symptoms.

3. Tension headache

In tension headache, diffuse dull pain in the head appears which is described as a tight band-like feeling around the head. The reason behind the tension headache is not well known yet. However, contraction of the muscles of the head, scalp, and neck are thought to play a role in tension headache. There are certain trigger factors that can lead to muscle contraction and give rise to a tension headache. Few trigger factors include stress, anxiety, fatigue, cold, sinus infection, sun exposure, poor posture while sleeping/sitting, and eyestrain. Symptoms of a tension headache include dull, aching pain in the whole head with a tight band-like sensation around the head. Besides, pain in the neck and shoulders may attend. Muscles in the neck, scalp, and shoulders also feel tightened. Head pain seems to get worse as the day passes. Tiredness usually attends to the above symptoms.

4. Sinus headache

Sinus headaches appear from the congestion of the paranasal sinus that locates behind your eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead. Sinus headaches most commonly appear when sinus becomes inflamed from allergies or from infection. In sinus headache, a constant pain/pressure in the forehead or the bridge of your nose is felt. The pain usually gets worse on moving the head suddenly coughing or leaning forward. A few symptoms tend to occur which include a runny nose or green/ yellow nasal discharges, stuffy nose, decreased sense of smell, facial swelling, pressure in ears, and feverish feeling.

How serious is a headache?

Most cases of headache are mild, and usually not a reason for big concern. They tend to resolve well in time. However, in some cases, the reason behind headache may be a serious condition like meningitis, critically high blood pressure, ruptured aneurysm, brain tumor. So every case of headache should be thoroughly analyzed to rule out any serious condition in the very beginning.