By April McQueen
Are you suffering from a headache? Here are 12 herbal teas that will help stop your headache in its tracks and give you some much-needed relief.
1. Peppermint
Peppermint tea has menthol and menthone. These substances help relax muscles and relieve headaches caused by tension, the most common headache type. They also are full of anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and soothing qualities that provide powerful relief for intense headaches. Enjoy hot or iced as a tea, but for the aromatherapy effect, hot does the trick. Do not drink this tea if pregnant or breastfeeding, have a history of stomach inflammation, or if you have gallbladder or liver disease. Do not give this tea to children under age two.
2. Chamomile
Relaxing and soothing, chamomile tea can aid in alleviating stress, insomnia, tension, and anxiety, which are common headache triggers. Rich in apigenin, it targets brain receptors and causes relaxation and calm. Its analgesic and anti-inflammatory qualities relieve headache pain. It decreases many different migraine symptoms and lowers the frequency of migraine attacks.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric tea has curcumin. This is an anti-inflammatory compound that may aid in relieving migraine symptoms. Black pepper increases the absorption of curcumin. You can grind the root for tea or use it in its other forms, like capsules, powders, and extracts.
4. Feverfew
Feverfew is a traditional herb used to treat headaches, especially migraines. It can block headache attacks from occurring and decrease their painful effect and impact if they occur.
5. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm tea can relieve stress-induced headaches due to its ability to relax muscles, reduce tension, and relieve pain. This makes it useful in helping with headache management.
6. Linden (Lime Tree)
Linden tea (or lime tree tea) is a common natural treatment for tension headaches. It has calming and sedative qualities. It helps relieve stress and muscle tension. It is also anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving. All of these properties make it a natural remedy that is potentially effective in relieving headaches.
7. Boldo tea
Boldo tea can help relieve headaches like those from indigestion or hangovers. Because it has detoxifying and calming effects, it is a good remedy for hangovers.
8. Valerian
Valerian tea can also ease tension headaches by increasing feelings of relaxation and decreasing feelings of anxiety and stress, as headache triggers. It relieves head and muscle tension, calms the nervous system, and improves sleep.
9. Ginger
Ginger can reduce inflammation and nausea, two symptoms often associated with migraines. It also decreases feelings of stress. For best results, use fresh ginger to make your tea.
10. Clove
Clove tea has antinociceptive properties and can block or reduce pain perception, which may be why some use it as a tea to treat headaches.