Pain-relieving herbs like willow bark, lavender, peppermint, and ginger make a delicious headache-relieving herbal tea. Discover other effective herbal teas for headaches in our latest blog.
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Around 10 million people in the UK alone live with migraines – and far more of us will experience headaches on a semi-regular basis.
Headaches can be caused by anything from a virus to poor posture. Eye strain, dehydration, stress, and low blood sugar are other common causes.
Generally, headaches aren’t serious and will eventually go away on their own. However, that doesn’t make the pain any less horrible, especially when you don’t have the option to rest and recuperate until the it passes.
While over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or aspirin can help with headaches, many of us prefer to take a more natural route. And, fortunately, there are plenty of herbs that are also effective at relieving headaches.
Made into a delicious cup of herbal tea, these herbs can also help us relax and re-hydrate – which is useful if your headache is caused by stress or lack of fluids.
The best herbal teas for headaches are those that contain herbs with anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-killing) properties. To help you choose the right blend for you, we’ve compiled this list of the most effective herbal teas for headaches.
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Willow Bark
Famously known as “nature’s aspirin”, willow bark contains salicin, an active ingredient that is chemically similar to aspirin and works in much the same way (although without the stomach upset that can go with aspirin).
Willow bark tea is a traditional remedy for headaches and other forms of pain. As well as being a natural painkiller, willow bark is an anti-inflammatory and may therefore help to calm inflammation associated with headaches and migraines.
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Peppermint
Calming, cooling, and refreshing, peppermint tea is a popular drink that can also help to alleviate headaches. Peppermint is known to effectively reduce the pain associated with tension headaches, for example.
Part of peppermint’s ability to calm headaches comes from its menthol content. This cooling compound is a natural painkiller that has been used since ancient times to ease all sorts of aches and pains, including headaches.
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Lavender
Another relaxing and pain-killing herb, lavender is often used to treat headaches and migraines. Research shows that it is effective too, performing significantly better than a placebo in trials.
You might be most familiar with lavender in aromatherapy – it is often used as an essential oil in pillow sprays and headache balms. However, this soothing plant also lends itself well to herbal tea, combining beautifully with other headache-relieving herbs.
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Feverfew
As the name suggests, feverfew is best known as a herbal remedy for fevers, but this daisy-like herb is also effective at relieving headaches and migraines. An anti-inflammatory and natural painkiller, feverfew tea has been used since the times of the Ancient Greeks.
Feverfew is said to inhibit the production of prostaglandins, which are associated with increased risk of migraine headaches.
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Ginger
Ginger has many health benefits, including relieving the pain of headaches. As well as acting as a painkiller, this warming herb is also an anti-inflammatory, helping to reduce inflammation associated with headaches and migraines.
If your headache is accompanied by nausea, ginger may also help to settle your stomach. It is also great for stress headaches, as its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can also help with anxiety.
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NutraHead
Since so many of us battle with headaches and migraines, one of our newest herbal tea blends combines all five of these pain-busting herbs, as well as other analgesic and anti-inflammatory ingredients like cinnamon, rhodiola, and green tea.
NutraHead is designed to provide comfort and relief when you have a headache or migraine.
