10 Herbs For Headache: Natural Way to Relieve the Pain

What is the difference between headache and migraine?

A headache is simply a pain in the head without other accompanying symptoms. Migraine is a neurological problem accompanied by nausea, vomiting and auras or flashes.

What can we do to relieve the pain?

People will always choose medications over alternatives because they think it is more effective and it needs less time to stop the pain. But sometimes medication can cause rebound headaches.

In a fact, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can effectively treat both headaches and migraines. Chinese medicine involves using herbs combined with acupuncture which gradually improves the whole immune system. Acupuncture helps relax the neck muscles and shoulder areas which further lessen headache and migraine. It re-establishes blood and qi flow and focuses on the point from which pain comes from.

Dong Quai

Otherwise called Angelica Sinensis, is perennial plant found at high elevations in the mountains of Japan, China, and Korea. Chinese use it as a spice for preparing various dishes and it is said to taste a bit stronger that parsley.

The root of dong quai is thick and light brown, and people use it to cure a wide variety of conditions. Dong quai contains antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant features. These contribute to widening blood vessels which help with strong migraines.

Its usage is yet to be proven. Some say that it can cause skin rash and increase sensitivity to sunlight. Dong quai should not be combined with other drugs or herbs. Make sure to speak with a doctor or holistic practitioner before using it.

Feverfew

As its name states, it has been used to treat fever for centuries, as well as other health issues. It is highly recommended for treating migraines. Feverfew reduces pain and nausea related to migraines and tension headaches because of its anti-inflammatory features.

Leaves and flowers of feverfew contain an active component parthenolide which represses brain chemicals that cause arteries to enlarge. It can be contraindicatory for pregnant women, children under two, people who have diabetes, liver problems and take anticoagulants.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is an easy-to-grow medicinal herb and it is known to relieve symptoms of migraine headaches. It is soothing for the nervous and digestive systems which helps with reducing stress and tension-related migraines.

Lemon Balm is a vasodilator which means it broadens capillaries and blood vessels to reduce head pressure. It also has mild sedative effects that calm nerves and tense muscles.

How to make at home tincture?

Combine three parts lemon balm and two-parts feverfew in a jar and pour 100 proof alcohol above the herbs. Shake it well and let it rest for 2-6 weeks in a sunny place. The next step is to strain with cheesecloth and put in a dark colored bottle. While experiencing migraines take ¼ – ½ teaspoon every 30-60 minutes until symptoms fade.

Ginger Root

It is an essential herb for treating migraines and headaches. Ginger roots contains prostaglandins substances that alleviate inflammation, pain and stress which is usually the cause of headaches. It relieves pressure, nausea and vomiting in migraine attacks.

Preventive methods would be to drink ginger tea a few times a week or a day if you experience migraine episodes. It is quite simple to make it: Put water into the saucepan, add ginger and boil for 15-20 minutes. In the end, add lemon juice and honey.

Lavender

Lavender’s essential oils are used as a sedative, mood balance, antimicrobial, for anxiety and stress relieve. It also helps treat headaches and migraines. People reported that 15 minutes of breathing in lavender essential oil significantly reduced pain.

Before you give it to your child speak with the pediatrician. Adults can use it every time experiencing symptoms by adding two or four drops of oil to boiling water and inhale the vapors. Another way of using it is to massage it on your skin.

Valerian

Valerian is a wildflower that originated from Asia. It is considered one of the most famous herbs for treating various conditions such as sleep problems, anxiousness, and stress. Valerian does not always help with migraines but prevents stress as the main cause of migraine headaches.

Talk to your medical or holistic practitioner before using valerian, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or using other medications to treat migraines.

Rosemary

Rosemary is one of the main ingredients in essential oils and lotions. For centuries people used it to relieve joint pain and arthritic issues, but in the 20^th century, its effectiveness in reducing migraines has been studied.

The most common trigger for headaches and migraine episodes is stress and anxiety and rosemary is known to lessen these two and relax your muscle tension. Rosemary can be applied directly to painful areas such as temples, forehead, and neck.

Skullcap

Skullcap belongs to the mint family and there are two species of this plant: American skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis). The former was used by Native Americans and the leter was used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.

Skullcap has sedative effects on nerves which results in muscle relaxation. It lessens headaches and migraines related to stress, anxiety, and tension.

Always make sure to buy natural herbs from an herbalist supplier since it happened that some put germander instead, which caused liver damage.

Cayenne

Cayenne peppers are considered to have many health benefits, including cessation of strong migraine headaches. One of the main ingredients contained in cayenne pepper is capsaicin which most nasal sprays contain. Capsaicin can dull neurotransmitters that carry pain signals to the brain.

It is advisable to consummate it as a part of regular diet because it can prevent future migraine episodes from happening. To make cayenne remedy for headache you’ll need:

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder
• Warm water
• Cotton swabs

Mix cayenne powder with water first and then use a cotton swab to stir. Make sure the cotton is covered with the cayenne. Apply it inside your nostrils until you feel the heat.

Other Natural Remedies to Reduce Headaches and Migraines

Beside using herbs and acupuncture to prevent and relieve head pain and migraine, there are other natural ways that can help.

• Drink more water – One of the main causes may also be dehydration and here the solution is very simple: drink more water.
• Cold compress – Apply cold compress on your forehead and reduce inflammation and widen your blood vessels. You can use either a cold washcloth or wrap ice bag in soft towel. Try to add lavender or rosemary essential oil drops to relax even more.
• Try massaging pressure points – Most people naturally rub their temples in circular motion when feeling stress. By reducing stress, the headaches may also lessen. You can use tips of index fingers and apply pressure at center part between the eyebrows and release to ease pain caused by eyestrain. Another tip is to rub the place between your thumb and index finger to reduce stress, migraines, and other pain conditions.