Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help Eliminate Headaches?

Apple cider vinegar has been known for a long time as a super healthy food because it has been scientifically shown to produce a variety of health benefits. Just some of the health benefits include:

  • Reduced blood sugar
  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Increased insulin sensitivity

It is also packed with nutrients antioxidants and all sorts of other helpful nutrients.

So with all these health benefits, how could it not help in some way or another with headaches and migraines? Well, that is what is going to be explored in this article.

How can apple cider vinegar help headaches?

At this time there isn’t much research into the effect of apple cider vinegar on headaches and migraines, and there is no definitive scientific evidence yet but many people have reported apple cider vinegar as being useful against headaches and migraines. There are a number of theories about how it works. The leading theory is that because of the various health benefits it produces, it contributes in many ways. For example, by reducing blood pressure, it can increase blood flow to the brain (when there is high pressure in the blood vessels there is a reduction in flow, due to fluid mechanics). Another way is that it provides larger amounts of potassium to the brain which has a role in its electrical activity. The electrical activity of the brain has been implicated in headaches and migraines.

Different remedies

One of the most common remedies is a mixture of the apple cider vinegar and honey. 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with one teaspoon of honey all diluted in 8 ounces of water can be taken once a day to reduce headaches.

Another option is to soak a washcloth in cold apple cider vinegar for a few minutes, ring it out and place it over the forehead. The cold temperature helps to reduce pressure in the head and the apple cider vinegar may be absorbed into the blood vessels in the head or inhaled which helps to reduce a headache as well.

Apple cider vinegar can also be inhaled directly by mixing 1/4 cup of it with two cups of water and heating the mixture. Then breathe in the vapor. This is best done to relieve sinus headaches.

Other things to consider

There are a number of other interventions that can be taken along with using apple cider vinegar to reduce headaches. The most effective way is to deal with the cause of a headache. Headaches can be caused by dehydration, lack of sleep, or too much stress, just to name a few. So it would help to make sure to get enough water and enough sleep as well as reducing stress along with taking the apple cider vinegar to get the best benefits. Apple cider vinegar is also not a replacement for medical therapy in severe cases, so consult a doctor if the symptoms persist for a long time and are very severe.