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Headaches
© 1997 Dana Ullman, M.P.H., Stephen Cummings M.D. (Excerpted from Everybody's Guide to Homeopathic MedicinePublished by Tarcher/Putnam)
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Bryonia
Essentials
Headache aggravated by motion, even very slight motion of the head or eyes
Steady aching or sense of heaviness with little throbbing
Confirmatory symptoms
Pain worsened by slight touch, relieved by firm pressure
Pain worst in the morning, especially after first moving in bed or just after getting out of bed
Headache centered over left eye
Headache accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or constipation
Patient irritable, wants to be left alone
Nux vomica
Essentials
Headaches beginning after overeating; from alcohol, coffee or other drugs; from loss of sleep; or from excessive mental work
Headache accompanied by general sick feeling and by digestive upsets including vomiting, gas, or sour or bitter taste
Confirmatory symptoms
Pain worst on first waking in the morning, improving after getting up
Pain aggravated by sounds such as sound of footsteps
Pain relieved by wrapping the head up or being in a warm room
Pulsatilla
Essentials
Headache coming on after meals or after warm, rich, or fatty foods or ice cream
-or-
Headaches in connection with menstrual period (before, during, or at end of the period)
Confirmatory symptoms
Patient wants company and consolation
Relief with gentle motion, especially walking slowly in open air
Pain in forehead or on one side; or changes location frequently
Pain relieved by pressure, worsened by blowing the nose
Gelsemium
Essentials
Pain begins at the back of the head, extending upward or to the forehead
-or-
Headaches preceded by dimness of vision or other visual disturbances
Confirmatory symptoms
Sensation of a band or hood bound tightly around the head
Pain on the right side of the head
Relieved by napping or urinating
Aggravated by light, noise, motion, or jarring
Patient feels dull, tired, heavy, and apathetic; wants to be left alone but not markedly irritable
Iris
Essentials
Pain in one side of the forehead, particularly the right
Migraine headaches that come on at regular intervals
Confirmatory symptoms
Headache preceded or accompanied by dimness of vision or other visual changes
Nausea and vomiting following the headache; headache worse after vomiting
Pain improved by walking in the open air
Sanguinaria
Essentials
Pain begins in the back of the head, extending to right side of the head or right eye
Headaches recur periodically
Confirmatory symptoms
Nausea and vomiting; vomiting brings relief
Pain sharp, splitting, knifelike, or throbbing
Pain worse from motion, better from sleep and firm pressure
Spigelia
Essentials
Stitching, burning, or pulsating pains, usually on the frontal part of the head, often on the left
Stiff neck and shoulders accompany the headache, making motion painful
Confirmatory symptoms
Pain better by lying with the head propped up; worse from stooping, motion, noise, and cold stormy weather
Temporary relief from washing with cold water but the pain is worse later
Pain in and around the eyes or extending into the eye sockets
Belladonna is indicated for people whose headaches are intense with violent throbbing pains. The headache causes an extreme sensitivity, and the least bit of light, noise, touch, strong or unusual smell, motion, or jarring brings on a new wave of throbbing and pain. The pain often begins suddenly, and it may go away suddenly as well. It may spread throughout the entire head, or it may be localized anywhere, but it is most typically focused in the forehead; from the forehead it may extend to the back of the head. Often the face is flushed or feels hot, and sometimes the hands and feet are cold. Belladonna is thus the most commonly given medicine for headaches associated with high fever. The pupils may be noticeably dilated during a Belladonna headache. Firm pressure applied to the head helps (other remedies also have this modality).
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Copyright © 1997
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Dana Ullman, M.P.H. is widely recognized as one of the foremost spokespersons for homeopathic medicine in the United States. He has authored numerous books, including Discovering Homeopathy: Medicine for the 
