4Head Headache Relief

During a period in June I was admitted into hospital: partly from the stress of that, my headaches where becoming even more frequent. However, analgesics were not the answer as I was taking loads of pills. I was beginning to feel like I was rattling, plus all the intra venous drugs that were constantly up; my family kindly went out and bought me a natural cure.

* This natural cure came in the form of 4head, so what is it? **

4head states that is a natural way to treat headaches when it is applied onto your forehead. It is a natural preparation that is so practical because it is a non-greasy and colourless formula. Also, due to the fact that it is a natural preparation, the topical application of 4head is not restricted and doesn't interfere with other medication that you are taking.

4heads main ingredient is levomenthol (which gives it the distinctive peppermint smell). It is suggested that this works as the levomenthol relaxes the local blood vessels, which cause the sensation of coldness and/or tingling, which is then followed by its painkilling effect. Also, suggested in literature I have read involving 4head: levomenthol reduces the sensitivity to pain signals.

The levomenthol also works by relaxing the muscles in your head and neck, which is partially effective with tension headaches.

** So who should use 4head? **

From everything I have read regarding 4head and the advertisements that are shown frequently on the television. 4head is targeted for those adults that suffer from tension headaches. Though it can be used by children (seek advice from G.P before using on children), adults and the elderly.

Its is also is target to the female population; they explain this in one of their websites, stating that research has shown that the tension headaches which are caused by the hectic work, home and social environments and lifestyles effect twice as many women as men. Therefore it seems to have been produced for women and promoted as such. But, men can also use 4head when required.

So anyone that doesn't like taking medication in the form of tablets, effervescent or capsules for whatever personal reason; or even immensely useful for those that have a poor swallow reflex this topical stick is ideal.

The 4head sick is also designed to be portable and therefore carried easily in either your pocket or handbag. Which really is the case as the stick its self is about the size of a lipstick so it's very easy to keep with you. So, if an unexpected headache occurs, you can immediately apply 4head and attempt to stop your headache in its tracks.

This in its-self I have found useful, as for me, if I apply 4head at the very beginning signs of a minor headache, then it is effective as an analgesic.
Due to the handy size it makes it more practical to use when out and about at work or traveling for instance, as its not always possible to stop and take medication.

(As I have stated previously about 4head being targeted for women the literature surrounding 4head also states that, they have made the stick non greasy and colourless so that if your on the "go" and need to apply than it will not effect your make - up).

** How to use 4head **

The instructions enclosed in the packaging state that you should use topically: by wiping the surface of the stick gently across your forehead. They also warn that you should not put this in your mouth or swallow it. So don't if you were having thoughts of doing this!?!??!!?!?!?!?!

The dispenser base twists clockwise and the levomenthol stick protrudes from the top of the dispenser. You wipe across forehead, though they do advice not to use too much as the skin sensation which follows, may become excessive.

** Dosage? **

4head is a natural formula which main ingredient is levomenthol so therefore there are no dosage instructions you can use, so use, as you personally feel necessary.

In every pack of 4head (a 3.6gstick) there is approximately enough for 100 applications. It comes in the form of a small retractable stick.

However despite this the manufactures of 4head warn us all that you should not use excessively. Which considering the cost of 6.49 I haven't being using it all that excessively.

** Pregnancy and breastfeeding **

The public are told that there is no evidence of associated side effects for those women that have been using 4head and are pregnant of breastfeeding. However as there doesn't appear to be any research actually done on this fact I would advise seeking advice from a medical practitioner before using.

** Warnings **

You should not use 4head if you are sensitive to the active ingredient levomenthol.

The only recorded side effect is that it may cause hypersensitivity, which can include the reaction of contact dermatitis. Which is a skin reaction that happens when you have been exposed to something that has irritated your skin or induced an allergic reaction.

If though, when you have applied 4head you feel uncomfortable or are experiencing any undesirable effects, then you should seek medical advice immediately taking with you; the stick and the information leaflet.

When using 4head you should make your self aware of the expiry date. Also it advises you on the labeling that storage should be below 25 degrees c.

** Misc **

When trolling the Internet for more information to share with you all, I found out that the levomenthol is extracted from mentha pipertia which is one of the medicinal plants that are in the 4head garden 2004 (which is sometimes called "Merlin to Medicine") see picture below!

** Where can you buy and how much? **

4head is sold in boots, asda, sainsburys, superdrug, Morrison, Lloyd's pharmacy and in other independent chemists. These prices obviously vary from store to store but all range from approx 6 - 7 pounds. My family acquired mine from a local boots and it cost 6 pounds and 49 pence. Which I guess for an effective natural pain killer that has 100 applications in one stick isn't bad. Though 9p for 16 paracetamol is MUCH cheaper.

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Personal view,
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There is more of a need for the natural cure than there ever was as more and more research is being carried out saying that some analgesia is addictive (codeine for example) and that by taking medication you are actually causing your self more headaches as explained by Dr Kirby, (in the Independent Newspaper On June 2, 2003) when she states that many of her patients suffer from "rebound headaches" if they take too many painkillers.

Also in the same article: "Medication overuse is a major risk factor for daily headache," explains Dr Silberstein. "You might think that if you use painkillers regularly, you'd have no pain and no problems. But the body gets used to them and its own natural painkilling systems get turned off." Dr MacGregor agrees. "The body produces natural painkillers; if you're taking external painkillers, why would your body keep producing? If you suppress nature's pain control, once you stop taking the tablets, bang! You get a headache."

All of which makes me want to use the natural formulas even more.

** Does it work?? **

When you buy 4head I do think it's important to assess what type of headaches you are having. As for me 4head is only effective for the tension type headaches and more severe or migraines need the treatment of prescription medication, and the manufactures of 4head do stated it is produced for tension head aches.

Generally when I have a headache smells do tend to get to me, and the overpowering menthol smell was a little of putting at first. (though I appreciate that the active ingredient is levomenthol so they cant do anything about the smell). Though when my mum and sister first gave me this I was skeptical but once I had applied to my forehead: it immediately made my forehead cooler and the sensation that it gave was pleasant. It really did seem to loosen knotted muscles in my forehead making me more relaxed.
This feeling lasted for me about 5 mins and then it seemed to produce a numbing effect that seemed to stop my headache (I assume this is due to the stopping of the pain transmitters).

The effect of 4head seems to last me about one hour and therefore I will re-apply after that. But as I was in hospital at the time of first using this, the effects it had allowed the pain to dull sufficiently for me to be able to go to sleep with is my best cure for headaches anyway.

I do feel that the price is quite high despite the 100 doses that you can get, I feel that if it was cheaper than more people would use it and stop some off the nasty side effects of other oral medications.

All in all I would recommend 4head to those that so suffer from minor tension headaches as it is quick and effective to use and the fact that its so portable makes it very practical for all those with busy lives.

So there you have it, hope that it's been informative…

Mair x