
There are many herbs found in nature that are thought to be useful in managing a migraine’s painful symptoms and many of them can be brewed into a delicious tea for migraines. Not only can these herbal remedies help to reduce some of the pain associated with the severe headaches, they can also help to relieve some of the stress associated with them, whether that be the origin of the ailment or a result of it. We have compiled a list of the top ten herbs to use in tea for migraines. They can be enjoyed individually or combined for a soothing and healing blend.
1. Oregano
Oregano is not just for spaghetti sauce. This is a powerful and potent herb that has been used medicinally for hundreds of years. And, perhaps surprisingly, it makes for a delicious tea and is commonly found in blended herbal tea recipes. Oregano is particularly useful for relief in the cases of migraines that are accompanied by nausea and helps settle the nerves.
2. Valerian
Valerian is an herb that is commonly used to help people fall asleep. It has been used in tonic form for pain and headaches. Valerian is a unique herb because its additional sleep producing benefit can be particularly useful in individuals who are being kept awake at night from the pain of migraines. The herb can be used in a tea for migraines either alone or alongside other pain relieving and nerve calming herbs.
3. Feverfew and Bay Leaf (Laurel)
Both of these natural herbs used regularly in cooking contain phytochemicals known as pathenolides that can be useful in migraine treatment. When combined together, their medicinal benefits are not only amplified, but so is the flavor as well. Feverfew is considered one of the oldest herbal remedies for migraine headaches.
4. Kava Root
Kava kava is a traditional remedy for many ailments thanks to its known muscle relaxing ability. Kava kava is also thought to have stress relieving properties as well. For people who are experiencing migraines as a result of a tension headache, kava kava can be a wise choice in a tea for migraines.
5. Skullcap
There are several different kinds of skullcap plant, and only those that contain the compound scutellarin are thought to be effective in medicinal purposes. Traditionally, skullcap has been enjoyed for both its sedative qualities and also its positive effects on the nerves. This herb is a common treatment for anxiety and has also been used in individuals who wish to quit smoking. For these reasons, skullcap can be very useful in a tea for migraines, particularly those brought about by nerves and stressful situations.
6. White Peony Root
Peonies are known for their bountiful, poofy flower heads along with a sweet and delicate scent. But, due to their contained medicinal elements, including benzoic-acid, tanning, paeonol and magnesium, white peony root provides much more benefit than a pleasing aroma alone. Due to the root’s analgesic properties, it has been commonly associated with pain relief. It can be brewed one ounce of dried root at a time in one pint of boiling water. Peony root also makes an excellent addition to herbal tea recipes alongside other pain relieving natural remedies.
7. Peppermint
One of the most well known remedies for headache pain is sniffing the soothing scent of peppermint. Although not all people experience relief from this act, it has shown to be effective in some individuals. This is not surprising, given the immense wealth of beneficial and healthful compounds found in peppermint, including menthol based volatile oils, flavonoids and carotenoids. Peppermint is popular in candy, but even more beneficial in a tea for migraines both in terms of dosage and effectiveness.
8. Jamaican Dogwood Bark
Jamaican dogwood may seem like an oddly named plant, but it is nowhere near as strange as the popular plant’s alternate name – Florida fish poison tree. Regardless of how goofy its name is, the bark of the Jamacian dogwood is a very significant herbal remedy for migraines and is also used in the treatment of arthritis, insomnia, general pain and pain in the back. It contains tannis, organic acids, isoflavones and beta sisterol – all compounds that are thought to provide some of the medicinal benefits exhibited in users of Jamacian dogwood. The natural sedative makes a delightful tea and works well paired with cinnamon and sarsaparilla.
9. Cayenne Pepper
The end product of pulverized peppers has been used medicinally for pain relief for a very long time. Cayenne’s role as a vasodilator as well as its ability to interfere with pain signals sent to the brain is what makes cayenne such a potentially effective addition to a tea for migraines. Its flavor may not be what most common to expect from a tea, but given its healthful benefits this spicy inclusion is worth considering.
10. Vervain
In the past, vervain was used as both a natural means to calm the nerves as well as a potent pain reliever. This herb is almost always consumed in hot, brewed form making it an excellent base to a tea for migraines. To enjoy in tea, sugar is normally used in the same quantity as the dried leaves of the herb. It boasts a bitter and unique flavor that can soothe the senses and gently reduce pain from migraine headaches.
Migraines are often difficult to treat and are also hard to predict. There are few effective treatment options for them and many existing options, such as prescription medications, carry undesirable side effects that some people prefer not to deal with. Herbal tea recipes can be very useful in this application, but should all be discussed with your healthcare provider to ensure that they are safe for you and your specific situation.