Cluster headaches are belonging to the Primary type of headaches. This is one of the most painful afflictions which are known to people. People who suffer from it are describing the cluster headache as a hot dagger which is being poked through their eye into their brain. Women have said that this pain is equivalent to the labor pain while men are describing it as the worst pain that they have felt in their lives.

This type of headaches is involving relentless and intense pain in or around one eye on one side of your head. The symptoms of this condition in some cases can be confused with a migraine but there is one big difference between them. It is known that the cluster headaches are happening in pattern and they arise in cluster periods or outbursts of frequent attacks that generally last from 6 – 12 weeks. A cluster period in the most cases ends in remission when there are not symptoms for months or in some cases even with years there are not symptoms of this condition. The pain of the cluster headache can be intense but this condition is rare and they symptoms of it can be relieved or reduced with a mix of natural and conventional headache remedies.

Home remedies and lifestyle changes for cluster headaches

Avoid alcohol and tobacco: It is known fact that tobacco and alcohol can increase the frequency of cluster headache attacks and they can make the pain even worse. If you suffer from cluster headache, then you should avoid tobacco and alcohol, especially during your cluster period. Smoking and overheating (such as showers, hot baths, strenuous activity, saunas and hot weather) can also trigger the cluster headache attacks. Also some foods that are high nitrates such as processed meat, preserved meat, luncheon meat, hot dogs and bacon can trigger cluster headache attacks. Also foods that are rich in tyramines (such as nuts, soy sauce, chocolate, citrus fruits and aged cheese) can trigger the cluster headaches.

Drink ginger tea: Ginger has a bioactive ingredient which is known as gingerol. This component has therapeutic benefits. This component is acting as highly potent anti – inflammatory and antioxidant agent. Also it can help you to reduce your pain by acting on vanilloid receptors and it gives a relief from the nausea which can be a symptom of intense cluster headache attacks. You should drink this natural cure one to 2 times per day because in this way you will get a relief from the cluster headache symptoms.


Kudzu extract: Kudzu extract comes from a semi – woody, leguminous and perennial vine which is native to Southeast Asia. For more than 2.000 years, this plant has been used as natural treatment for many diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, diarrhea and acute dysentery. In the kudzu root were identified over 70 phytochemicals or phytonutrients with triterpenoids and isoflavonoids as the major constituents. There was one study in 2009 in which patients were asked about their types of natural treatments for the cluster headache. From the people who have used kudzu extract as their natural treatment, 69% have said that they have experienced decreased intensity of attacks, 56% have experienced decreased frequency and 5% have experienced decreased duration but all have minimal side effects. This is a reason why you need to talk with your doctor about your cluster headache before you start using it as your natural treatment for this condition.

Use peppermint essential oil: This natural cure is known to relieve headaches, improve mental focus, release tight muscles and boost energy. Before and during cluster headache attack, you should apply 2 – 3 drops of peppermint oil topically to the bottoms of the feet, back of neck and to the temples.

Stick to a regular sleep schedule: It is very important for people who suffer from cluster headaches to have a regular sleep schedule. There are many cases when the cluster periods are beginning when you have changes in your normal sleep routine so when you have a normal sleep routine, it will help you to stay consistent. If you cannot sleep, then this could also trigger your cluster headaches. This is a reason why you should do everything to ensure a quality and regular sleep schedule.


Melatonin: Melatonin is a hormone which is controlled by the hypothalamus which is helping to regulate the sleep – wake cycles. This element is used as an adjunctive therapy in patients who suffer from cluster headaches and who have incomplete relief of their cluster headaches when they were using conventional treatment. It has been found that melatonin levels in people who suffer from cluster headaches are decreased and a lack of melatonin secretion may predispose that patient to cluster headache attacks. There are some studies in which is said that melatonin treatment can rapidly alleviate the cluster headache attacks but only in people who have episodic cluster headaches. In those studies in which is showed no results after the treatment, scientists have suggested that this natural cure be used before the cluster period begins because in this way they will have the best results.

Breathing exercises: It is known fact that deep and rhythmic breathing can allow more oxygen to your brain. This will give you a relief from the pain during a cluster headache attacks and it will leave your body at ease. This is a reason why yoga is one of the best activities for people who suffer from cluster headaches. Its breathing exercises combined with physical exercise have been found to alleviate the headache symptoms.

Capsaicin cream: You should apply a small amount of capsaicin cream to the inside of your nostril. It should be the same side that you are experiencing the pain. Cayenne pepper is the main ingredient in the capsaicin cream which is effectively working by blocking nerve pain signals. There was one study in which is said that the capsaicin application has reduced the number of cluster headache attacks in the sixty days after the end of the treatment in those patients. For some people who apply capsaicin cream of their nostril, it can cause them temporary sneezing, painful sensation and nasal secretion. But as it is said in many studies, this natural cure can help in the natural treatment of the cluster headaches.


Exercise: When you exercise at regular basis, then this can help you to reduce your stress and it can boost the blood circulation. In between cluster headache attacks and when you are in remission, you should practice interval training, attend a yoga class or take a long hike. These exercises have been proven to give a relief from the cluster headache symptoms.

Magnesium: This is important nutrient throughout our bodies. This element can help to regulate metabolic processes in our system and also it maintains our nervous system reactions. There are many studies in which is said that people who suffer from cluster headaches have low blood levels of magnesium and they can benefit from magnesium injections or supplementations. There are some preliminary trials in which is shown that magnesium deficiency can cause exasperated conditions and magnesium injections may relive a cluster headache attack. To reduce the attacks of cluster headache and to get a relief from the cluster headache symptoms, you should take 400 milligrams of magnesium, 3 times per day. You should take one capsule before bedtime because it is known that cluster headaches are most common in the middle of the night. Also you should eat magnesium rich foods such as bananas, avocados, black beans, almonds, yogurt, pumpkin seeds, chard and spinach because they can help you in the natural treatment of the cluster headaches.


Get outdoors: People who have cluster headache attacks can experience a relief of these symptoms after they have received oxygen during an attack. You can do this naturally by getting outdoors and taking deep breaths of fresh air.

Vitamin B2: This vitamin can decrease the frequency and severity of cluster headaches. This is a very important vitamin which is acting as antioxidant in our bodies which is boosting energy levels and maintaining healthy blood cells. When we have Vitamin B2 deficiency, then this can result in nerve damage and inflammation which are 2 conditions that can increase the intensity of the cluster headaches. There was one study which was done in 2004 and which was published in the European Journal of Neurology and in which was said that people who have received 400 milligrams of this vitamin capsules every day, have experienced less headache attacks before they have taken these supplements.