Every time I get a headache, my mind goes back and forth deciding what I should do to relieve it. Most people reach for some ibuprofen or Tylenol, but studies show pain relief medications like those might not be the best options. They can hurt the kidney and worsen high blood pressure, but they are sometimes the only way people know of to get rid of headaches. However, we do have other options that are all-natural and don’t pose any threat to our bodies. These home remedies are perfect for those who are susceptible to headaches.

Lavender Oil

Aside from being an amazing smell, lavender is used for all kinds of purposes today, from hair loss to arthritis. It’s been known to stop inflammation, dilate blood vessels and relax the body. It’s also supposed to help for headaches (and even migraines). It’s recommended to put a few drops of lavender oil into three cups of boiling water, and inhale the steam. Another method is putting a few drops of lavender oil into a cold cup of water. You then put a towel in the water, wring the towel out until it’s damp, and place it on your forehead.

Ginger

Ginger can be used in unique ways to get rid of headaches. One popular, simple method for using it is drinking ginger tea. However, you can even take it a step further. You can also cut fresh ginger, add it to water, then filter the ginger and drink the water. Or, if drinking ginger juice is too intense for you, add crushed ginger to boiling water and inhale the steam.

Peppermint Oil

This is another essential oil that is supposed to be a miracle worker for headaches by getting rid of them in about 30 minutes. You’ll need a few drops of peppermint oil and one tablespoon of water. Mix the two ingredients together in a cup, soak a cotton ball in the mixture and rub the cotton ball along your hairline. Feel free to apply multiple times.

Rosemary

Rosemary tea is a popular source to go to when dealing with a headache or migraine. In fact, rosemary in general just seems to do wonders for headaches. Keeping rosemary oil by your bed, or just smelling it regularly for a period of time, could rid you of your pain.

Apples

An apple a day… Eating an apple early in the morning, or just on an empty stomach, can help cure your headache. Or, instead, studies show that even simply smelling a green apple can make your head feel better. But you do have to make sure that you actually like the smell of the green apple, because the good smell will increase your mood, which helps your head.

DIY Scalp Massage

You can even get rid of a headache with nothing more than your fingertips. I once complained to a friend about a headache I had for a few hours. She spent a little time rubbing my forehead, and before I knew it, the headache was gone. I was amazed by this, and it’s true: A head massage may be the trick to getting rid of a headache. One common massaging technique to ease your pain is putting your two thumbs on each side of the bridge of your nose. Add gentle pressure to this. Then turn the pads of your thumbs so they’re facing your forehead, and gently push upward. Another common way to overcome a headache is gently massaging your temples.