Sharing a Newsletter info on headaches.
https://www.askdrmao.com/
1. What are the causes of headaches?
The causes of headaches are many, but the root cause can almost always be traced back to lifestyle. Something in your life is creating an adverse environment that causes a headache. For instance, most people are familiar with the occasional headache that comes from a cold, staying up too late, or drinking too much. Other common culprits include sinus problems, muscle tension, eyestrain, stress, jaw clenching, a virus, allergies, poor eating habits, and a muscle injury in the neck and back. Some women may experience headaches due to a hormonal imbalance.

2. Does what we eat affect whether we get headaches?
What we eat on a regular basis affects the energy flow in our body. Proper eating habits can help maintain a good flow of energy and blood to the head, preventing headaches. Choose wholesome foods, with no preservatives, additives, or artificial compounds. For headache relief, eat more: whole grains, fiber-rich foods, green leafy vegetables, parsley, chrysanthemum flowers, mint, green tea, onions, ginger, pearl barley, carrots, prunes, buckwheat, peach kernels, and almonds. Stay away from: alcohol, chocolate, MSG, nitrates, sulfites, sugar, salt, caffeine, and oily, mybloggers, spicy, starchy, or fried foods.

3. Is there massage technique to heal a headache myself?
If you want to try to heal your headache on your own, try this acupressure technique.
• Locate the acupoint “Wind Pond” in the natural indentation at the base of your skull on both sides of your neck. Press and lift up toward the base of your skull with your thumbs and lean your head back. Use the weight of your head against your thumbs for steady pressure on the acupoint. Hold for 5 minutes. Breath deeply and slowly.
• Find the acupoint “Great Yang” which is in the indentation of the temples. Stimulate the point with the knuckles of your thumbs or the tips of your index fingers. Massage in circular motion for 5 minutes.

4. What are the best remedies to relieve a headache?
1) Drink a glass of freshly made carrot juice every 4 hours until your headache subsides.
2) Prepare a compress. Put 5 drops of lavender essential oil in 1 cup of warm water. Soak a towel in the water and then wring it dry. Place it on your forehead and/or upper neck as a compress during a headache.
3) Try making this herbal tea: Boil 2 tablespoons each of chrysanthemum flowers, cassia seeds, and mint in 4 cups of water for 15 minutes. Drink 3 cups a day until the headache subsides. These herbs will help clear the sinuses and reduce head pressure.


May you be happy, healthy, and free from headaches!

—Dr. Mao