Last updated on January 6th, 2023 at 12:09 pm
According to many sufferers, some teas are good for headaches despite containing no active analgesic compounds. Let’s take a look at which ones…
Headaches are quite common and most people may not take them seriously. However, they can be more complicated than they seem. Illness, stress, tension, allergies, anger, over-exercising, dehydration, hunger, and even your surrounding environment may contribute to headaches.
There are different reasons, symptoms, and medications for different types of headaches. Every kind of headache needs to be dealt with differently. No matter what type of headache it is, the feeling of a constant, throbbing, or pounding pain inside your head, around the eyes and jaws, never feels good!
Whether it’s tension headaches, migraine headaches, sinus headaches, or daily persistent headaches, symptoms of headaches may vary but the level of discomfort remains almost similar.
Various kinds of teas are said to help mellow down headaches. They may not be able to cure it but assist in bringing down the pain and making you feel better.
Many types of tea assist in relieving headaches and calming down your nerves. They may not necessarily be true teas like black tea, white tea, green tea, oolong tea, or pu-erh tea. Most of the relaxing and pain relieving teas are herbal teas prepared with herbs, spices, and flowers.
While true teas contain a certain amount of caffeine, herbal teas or tisanes are caffeine-free. They can be served hot or cold and may not be using any true tea leaves or leaves from the Camellia sinensis plant. In several instances, herbal teas are made with a combination of herbs and true tea leaves to enhance the flavor and create a herbal blend.
Here is a list of the best herbal teas that will make you feel good when you are suffering from a terrible headache. Next time when you experience a nasty headache try to get some relief with these soothing teas.
- Chamomile tea
- Peppermint tea
- Ginger tea
- Clove tea
- Turmeric tea
- Lavender tea
- Green tea
- Cinnamon tea
- Lemonbalm tea
- Willowbark tea
- Feverfew tea
- Meadowsweet tea
- Wintergreen tea
- Tulsi tea
Some of these soothing teas are more popular than others as headache relief choices. That’s mostly due to the easy availability of ingredients and tea recipes.
It is difficult to say which is the best tea for all kinds of headache pain. Ginger tea, peppermint tea, chamomile tea, and green tea are the most popular herbal teas for migraine pain relief.
Is chamomile tea good for headaches?
Chamomile tea is a pain-relieving herbal tea that helps in soothing headaches. Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties and helps the body to relax and sleep better. Often stress and anxiety are the culprits behind tension-type headaches, cluster headaches, and even migraine pain.
This soothing tea with therapeutic properties has a hint of floral flavor and natural sweetness. Chamomile tea has been known to exist since ancient times in Egypt, Rome, and Greece for its soothing, calming, nourishing properties.
Not only does chamomile tea soothe pain and reduce anxiety, but it also helps in reducing symptoms of cold and cough. An important thing to remember is that chamomile tea might not be suitable for pregnant women. It may increase the chances of a miscarriage or preterm birth.
Ginger tea for headaches
Ginger is one of the most potent herbs that are not only flavorful but packed with chemical compounds that contribute to health benefits. It is a well-known component of herbal medicine that has been used for centuries.
Ginger is used for making a great tea that helps in calming down the migraine symptoms like headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Phenolic compounds like gingerols, shogaols, and paradols are active ingredients present in ginger that help in reducing headache pains.
The chemical compounds present in ginger extract may also increase the level of serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical messenger that helps in the communication of nerve cells. A change in the level of serotonin may cause the narrowing of blood vessels, restricting blood circulation. Contraction in blood vessels affects the nervous system and may trigger migraine attacks.
Along with its anti-inflammatory properties, ginger tea also works toward boosting the immune system and improving the body’s energy levels. Ginger tea is considered safe for drinking for everyone when it’s limited to about 5g per day.
Ginger tea can be made using fresh ginger, ginger powder, dried ginger, or store-bought ginger tea bags.
Some of the added benefits of ginger tea are –
- Reduced aches and pains
- Better blood sugar control
- Better hypertension control
- Reduced nausea from headaches, morning sickness
- Improved heart health
Along with tea, massaging diluted ginger oil on the skin can also decrease headaches, back pain, and neck pain.
Is green tea good for headaches?
Prepared from the leaves of a true tea, green tea falls under the category of caffeinated tea. When suffering from a headache, drinking green tea can help alleviate the symptoms.
Green tea made from the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant can help in boosting the effectiveness of over-the-counter pain relief medication and soothe headache pain.
Green tea has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Korean medicines for treating inflammation and reducing tension.
Is green tea a trigger for migraine?
Although green tea contains about three times less caffeine compared to coffee, drinking too much green tea may increase headache symptoms. When consumed in moderation it is a great tea for soothing migraine symptoms.
Green tea should be consumed with caution keeping in mind that too much of the beverage can do more harm than help in relieving headaches.
When taken in excess, green tea can have side effects like –
- Anxiousness
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Sleeping issues
- Dizziness
- Pregnancy complications
People who are on blood thinners like warfarin are suggested not to drink green tea as it may interfere with the blood clotting process.
Chinese herbal tea for migraines
Leung cha, or Chinese herbal tea, is regarded as a ‘cooling tea’ in traditional Chinese medicine. It is considered to be a quick-fix treatment for several health-related issues including migraine treatment. The herbal concoction contains several herbs like dandelions, bitter melon, round leaf holly, thin evodia (Melicope pteleifolia), and heal-all herbs (Prunella vulgaris). Prunella vulgaris is rich in antioxidants.
This tea is mostly devoid of any true teas and tastes like bitter soup. Different recipes also include herbs and flowers like jasmine, chrysanthemum (Ju Hua), mint, ginseng, oolong tea, etc.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, the body’s inner balance is extremely important for maintaining good health. Cooling tea helps in cleansing excess heat from the body and relieves symptoms of illnesses and wards off diseases. It should be consumed piping hot for best results.
Chinese tea is good for tension-type headaches, migraines, allergies, eye irritation, and several other ailments.
What does Chinese medicine say about migraines?
In traditional Chinese medicine, migraine falls under the category of one-sided headache. It may or may not be accompanied by gastrointestinal disturbances and can occur with or without warning signs. Chinese medicine focuses on the root cause for treatment and relieving headache pains.
Treatment with herbs and acupuncture are the most common headache treatments in traditional Chinese medicine. The treatment strategy depends on the individual patient and their diagnosis.
Is peppermint tea good for headaches?
Peppermint tea is especially effective for tension-type headaches. This soothing tea can help reduce headaches caused by stress and also stubborn migraines.
Peppermint helps to open restricted blood vessels, allowing better blood flow to the brain. That brings relief and eases headaches.
Studies have found that topical application of peppermint oil on the forehead also helps ease tension-related headaches.
What tea is good for tension headaches?
Reaching out for a hot cup of tea is not unusual when you have a headache. However, some teas work better in easing the pain compared to others.
Some of the best herbal teas for tension headaches and migraines are peppermint tea, chamomile tea, clove tea, turmeric tea, ginger tea, and lavender tea. These soothing teas can help you manage the pain better, focus more, and save your day from getting ruined.
FAQ relating to which teas are good for headaches
What drink is good for tension headaches?
Pain relieving teas are great for managing headaches. Apart from that, some other drinks like green smoothies, water, grape juice, orange juice, fruit-infused water, and low-fat milk are also good for tension headaches.
How do you get rid of tension headaches fast?
Tension-type headaches can not only make you irritable and lose concentration but also takes a toll on your productivity. To get rid of the tension headaches fast there are some quick fixes you can try.
Applying heat or ice often works well in relaxing the tense neck and shoulder muscles. Use a hot water bottle or a heating pad but remember to keep the heat low. A warm shower, warm compress, a cool compress on the forehead, or an ice pack may also help.
Ease any pressure on your head or neck. Loosen up any tight hairstyle, hat, or headband. Proper massage can also relieve pain quickly.
Drink plenty of non-caffeinated fluids. Herbal teas are known for their effectiveness in soothing headaches. Dehydration can worsen any kind of headache.
In case of migraines, dim the lights when indoors, and wear sunglasses when outside. Strong light and sound can be triggers for migraines.
What triggers tension headaches?
Tension headaches are mostly triggered by –
- Physical or emotional stress
- Fatigue
- Lack of sleep or poor quality sleep
- Eye strain or poor vision
- Diet
- Hunger
- Excessive smoking
- Alcohol use
- Excessive use of caffeine
Tension headaches are mostly accompanied by dull headaches with moderate pain, tightness around the head, irritability, and difficulty in concentration.
Why am I getting tension headaches everyday?
Tension headaches are one of the most common headaches which affect teens and adults. They come and go from time to time without causing severe pain and nausea like migraine.
There can be several triggers for tension headaches. It is vital to recognize the root causes of headaches. Eliminate headache triggers by changing food habits and lifestyle.
However, when tension headaches affect you regularly, they should not be neglected. Chronic tension headaches may indicate underlying ailments like thyroid disease, infections, brain tumors, and inflammation in the brain.
