Headache

Headaches are a common malady involving Pain felt deep within the skull.

Alkaloids

 Capsaicin (applied nasally) may alleviate (cluster) Headaches.  ^[1]

Amino Acids

 5-HTP may prevent Headaches (especially Tension Headaches).  ^[2]

 Phenylalanine (especially the DL-Phenylalanine form) may alleviate the Pain associated with Headache:  ^[3]

 Caution:  excessive dosages of Phenylalanine also CAUSE Headaches.

 Tryptophan may alleviate Headaches caused by Blood Vessel constriction.  ^[4]

Hormones

 Melatonin (10 mg per day) may alleviate (cluster) Headaches - altered production of Melatonin is believed to be a causative factor in cluster Headaches.  ^[5]

Lactones

 Parthenolide may prevent and alleviate Headaches in 70% of cases (by inhibiting Platelet Aggregation, inhibiting the secretion of Serotonin and by preventing the release of excessive Arachidonic Acid). 

Minerals

 Calcium's anti-spasmodic properties may alleviate Headaches. 

 Frequent Headaches may occur as a symptom of Iron deficiency. 

 Lithium may alleviate the Pain associated with (cluster) Headaches.  ^[6]

 Magnesium may alleviate Headaches.  ^[7]

Prescribed Medications

 Pharmaceutical Analgesics alleviate the Pain associated with Headaches:

 Caution:  most Analgesics have minor or major side effects.

 Aspirin prevents and alleviates Headaches (by blocking the production of Cyclooxygenase that produces the Prostaglandin E2 that is implicated in Headaches).

 Paracetamol is often prescribed in the treatment of the Pain associated with Headaches.

 Sumatriptan effectively alleviates (cluster) Headaches (by stimulating the Brain's 5-HT1D Receptors).

Smart Drugs

 Dilantin may reduce the incidence of Headaches. 

 Vinpocetine may alleviate Headaches (in approximately 78% of Headache patients).  ^[8]

Vitamins

 Headaches may occur as a result of Biotin deficiency.  ^[9]

 Headaches may occur as a result of PABA (Para Aminobenzoic Acid) deficiency.  ^[10]

 Headaches may occur as a result of Vitamin B1 deficiency and supplemental Vitamin B1 (1,000 - 4,000 mg per day) may alleviate Headaches in up to 78% of patients.  ^[11]

 Vitamin B3 may help to prevent/treat (Tension) Headaches.  ^[12]

 Headaches may occur as a result of Vitamin B5 deficiency.  ^[13]

 Headaches may occur as a result of Vitamin D deficiency.  ^[14]

Herbs

 Basil reputedly alleviates Nervous Headaches (according to folklore). 

 Blue Vervain reputedly alleviates Headaches (according to folklore). 

 Camu Camu is claimed to alleviate Headaches. 

 Chamomile reputedly alleviates Headaches (according to folklore). 

 Damiana may alleviate some Headaches. 

 Horsetail - Equisetum may alleviate Headaches. 

 Feverfew may alleviate Headaches (in up to 70% of cases) by inhibiting the constriction of Blood Vessels, inhibiting Platelet Aggregation, preventing the release of excessive Arachidonic Acid and inhibiting the degranulation and release of Serotonin from Mast Cells (due to the Parthenolide content of Feverfew).  ^[15]

 Hops may alleviate Headache in some persons. 

 Jamaican Dogwood may alleviate Headache. 

 Kudzu may help to prevent/treat (cluster) Headache.  ^[16]

 Lavender (oil applied topically to the temples) may alleviate Headaches. 

 Marjoram reputedly alleviates Headaches.  ^[17]

 Mistletoe - European reputedly alleviates Headaches. 

 Passion Flower may alleviate some Headaches of nervous origin. 

 Peppermint reputedly alleviates Headaches. 

 Rosemary may alleviate some cases of Headache. 

 Schizandra may alleviate Headaches (due to the Schizandrol content of Schizandra).  ^[18]

 Valerian may alleviate Headaches. 

 Willowbark may alleviate Headaches (due to the Salicylates content of Willow Bark).