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Herbs for Managing Headache
Herbs are
very complex, therefore, one thing you need to remember about herb for headache
is that, although herbal remedies tend to be gentler than drugs, if you take too
much they can not only make your
headache worse, but
do real harm to your body.
Checkout the various herbs listed below, used in headache management:
 Feverfew
Feverfew is a very popular migraine herbal remedy. Feverfew is an
anti-inflammatory, and works much like ibuprofen. It is also believed that the
herb may inhibit chemicals that cause the blood vessels in your head to spasm.
Migraine relief is
supposed to be achieved by taking a controlled amount of feverfew on a daily
basis. In one study, over 2/3 of migraine patients experienced relief by taking
feverfew regularly.
Peppermint (mentha piperita)
 For
hundreds of years peppermint has been used as a headache remedy. The medicinal
parts of peppermint are derived from the whole plant, and include a volatile
oil, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and triterpenes. The first documented report to
link peppermint and headache relief was published in 1879. A more recent study
took place in Germany in 1996. In this double-blind study, researchers found
that an ethanol solution containing 10% peppermint oil was as effective in
relieving headache pain as 1,000 mg of acetaminophen. In another study, 32
people with headaches massaged peppermint oil on their temples. The results
showed that the peppermint oil significantly relieved their pain. Rubbed on the
temples, across the forehead, and behind the neck, peppermint oil helps to ease
digestive-related headaches and migraines by generating a cooling effect on the
skin and relaxing cranial muscles.
Peppermint tea may be used to relieve migraine headaches. To prepare the tea,
pour one cup of boiling water over 1-2 tsp of dried peppermint leaves, cover,
and steep for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture before drinking. For relief of
migraine pressure, drink 1-2 cups of cool tea daily.
Passionflower (Passiflora alata)
 Passionflower
is a calming herb. Taken as a tea before bed, it can help you sleep. At least
one clinic trial has found it to lower anxiety. It is also believed to have
anti-inflammatory and pain killing properties. Great for migraine! The
recommended intake of the dried herb is 4-8 grams three times per day. To make a
tea, 0.5-2.5 grams of passion flower can be steeped with boiling water for ten
to fifteen minutes and drunk two to three times per day. Alternatively, 2-4 ml
of passion flower tincture can be taken per day.
Ginkgo (ginko biloba)
 The
leaf of the ginkgo tree is an extremely popular herb for headache, but the
medical evidence is still hotly disputed. Ginkgo is wonderful for improving
blood circulation—for this reason, it is a great choice for a remedy to treat
circulation headaches. French scientists have done many studies on ginkgo.
Several of these showed that treatments made using this herb were effective for
reducing vascular headaches (migraines, cluster headaches, hangovers). In at
least one of these studies, ginkgo reduced headaches in 80 percent of the people
who took it, most of whom were experiencing migraines on a regular basis. People
who participated in the study said that they had tried just about everything
they could think of to get rid of their headaches, but nothing worked until they
discovered ginkgo. The researchers responsible for this study concluded that
ginkgo should be considered one of the most effective remedies for migraines.
Ginkgo is also the remedy of choice to treat dizziness and tinnitus, or ringing
in the ear, which are often associated with headaches. There are some nice teas
sold with ginkgo and peppermint.
Note: Ginkgo is one of those herbs that can cause side effects when taken with
headache medications, including aspirin and lithium.
Cayenne (capsaicin)
 Many
peppers have an ingredient called capsaicin, which among other things seems to
raise the pain threshold. It's gained attention in the medical world in recent
years especially for its treatment of cluster headaches, and it's often given in
the form of a nasal spray. In one study, people with cluster headaches rubbed a
capsaicin preparation inside and outside their noses on the same side of the
head as the headache pain. Within five days, 75 percent reported less pain and
fewer headaches. They also reported burning nostrils and runny noses, but these
side effects subsided within a week.
White Willow (Salix alba)
 White
willow bark is an especially popular herb for headache because it works much
like an aspirin, relieving your headache pain and causing the inflammation to go
down. Like any painkiller, it should not be taken long term. Once again, be very
careful about taking willow with other painkillers and medications - check with
your doctor!
Meadowsweet
 The
bud of the meadowsweet plant naturally contains salicin, one form of the key
ingredient in an aspirin tablet, says William J. Keller, Ph.D., professor and
head of the Division of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmaceutics at Northeast
Louisiana University School of Pharmacy in Monroe. "Once the salicin from
meadowsweet is in the stomach, it breaks down to create salicylic acid, and
basically that's what happens when you take an aspirin," he explains.
For that reason, centuries-old uses for meadowsweet — for headaches— seem
justifiable, it definitely has an analgesic effect. You can test meadowsweet's
painkilling powers for yourself in the form of a tea. Add one to two teaspoons
of the dried herb to a cup of boiling water and let it steep for ten minutes
before drinking.
Chamomile
 This
herb has anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties, helps to ease
emotional tension, and is especially helpful for tension headaches.
Butterbur extract
 Recent
studies point to butterbur extract (petasites hybridus root) as a migraine
treatment. Butterbur has been recommended for migraine before, but now the
scientific evidence is starting to catch up. The dosages in recent studies for
both children and adults range between 50mg and 150mg. It is recommended that
you use a reliable standardized and safe form of butterbur. In a recent German
study, Petadolex was used, which is a butterbur extract.
Headaches almost always begin because of irritation to the arteries or muscles
in the head and neck. What causes that irritation is harder to pinpoint. If
you're looking for a natural way to treat headaches, consider simple steps
first. Getting more sleep and
exercising regularly can help present headaches by
relaxing the muscles in your head and neck.
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