Registered dietitian and neuronutritionist Melanie Murphy Richter, MS, RDN, says a warm cup of tea can be a great home remedy to help get rid of pesky headaches. “Certain teas have anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant effects, which may help relieve headaches,” she says. However, not all teas are created equal when it comes to headache relief. Some teas are much more effective than others. Their unique herbal properties.
Ahead, Richter introduces the best teas for headaches and reveals why they're so effective at alleviating symptoms and getting your mood back. car-Great in no time.
Best Drinks for Headaches
Besides plain old water, tea is one of the best drinks for headaches. Richter says tea can help relieve headaches in a variety of ways. First of all, she small Small amounts of caffeine (less than 100 mg) may help increase blood flow to the brain, also known as its vasodilator effect. This reaction may help make painkillers more effective. “In fact, most migraine-related headache medications contain some amount of caffeine for this very reason,” says Richter.
However, keep in mind that consuming too much caffeine can have the opposite effect, potentially causing headaches. (If you're a heavy caffeine drinker, don't go cold turkey on caffeine. It can cause caffeine withdrawal and migraines. Slow and steady wins the race, family.)
Herbal teas (usually caffeine-free) can help eliminate headaches by targeting a variety of other causes of headaches and migraines. The details depend on what ingredients are in the tea. For example, Richter says certain anti-inflammatory herbs and teas containing antioxidants such as polyphenols (compounds found in many plants) may help reduce the severity and recurrence of headaches (since excessive inflammation can trigger headaches). because of). If stress and anxiety contribute to the onset of tension headaches and migraines, Richter recommends choosing a tea with pro-relaxation properties (such as chamomile or lemon balm) to soothe these symptoms. On the other hand, certain types of herbal teas (such as peppermint) may help relax head and neck muscles that can cause tension or sinus-related headaches.
Dehydration is also a big headache trigger, and tea can help relieve it. “car ~can do Included in our overall water consumption. “Herbal teas are a great adjunct to headache management because they can contribute to your overall hydration status,” says Richter. Tea can help boost electrolytes along with hydration. “Electrolytes such as sodium, magnesium and potassium are essential for proper utilization of water in the body. Consuming tea regularly not only helps you stay hydrated, it can also provide certain electrolytes to help your cells better absorb water,” she says.
Are teas good or bad for migraines?
Tea is good for migraines for many of the same reasons it is good for headaches. Many of the compounds in tea (such as caffeine and antioxidants) may help reduce migraine symptoms.
Previous research has shown that caffeine in tea is a potential migraine trigger. However, a study published in the journal in 2023 scientific report discovered that there is There is no causal relationship between tea drinking and migrainesOne. (Translation: There is no evidence that drinking tea causes migraines.) In fact, the caffeine in tea may help with migraines.
That said, don't expect tea to be a miracle cure for migraines, which can be incredibly debilitating. There's no shame in taking medication, trying certain yoga poses, soaking your face in ice water, or using other helpful tools to help treat or manage migraines.
6 teas that are good for headaches and migraines
1. Peppermint
Richter says peppermint tea should be your best choice for headache relief, especially if you're treating tension, sinus, or migraine-related symptoms. “One of the best teas for all types of headaches is peppermint,” she says.
According to Richter, peppermint may help relieve headache symptoms by regulating the circulatory system by increasing blood flow. “Peppermint is Vasodilating effects on the circulatory system2This means it may help expand blood flow to the brain. This is especially helpful for any type of headache where blood flow is restricted,” she says. Peppermint also contains menthol, which may help, she says, Richter. relax musclesthree Head that helps relieve headaches.
2. Ginger
If you tend to experience nausea or an upset stomach due to headache pain, drinking ginger tea may help, says Richter. “Ginger is anti-inflammatory and may relieve nausea, a symptom of migraines,” she says. Ginger contains an active compound called gingerol, according to research. Regulates serotonin receptors in the gastrointestinal tract.4Therefore, it reduces the signals that cause nausea and vomiting.
3. Chamomile
If you're experiencing tension or sinus headaches, chamomile may be your cup of tea because it can act as a mild muscle relaxant, says Richter. Meanwhile, if you suffer from headaches related to indigestion, you can use chamomile as a digestive aid to promote digestion. If headaches are keeping you awake at night, Richter says the “mild sedative-like quality” of chamomile tea could potentially help you relax and fall asleep.
4. Lemon balm
If anxiety causes headaches, Richter recommends lemon balm tea. “Lemon balm is especially helpful for people who: reduce anxiety5 It may contribute to tension headaches or migraines. “Lemon balm can reduce muscle spasms associated with headaches,” she says.
5. Lavender
Like lemon balm tea, Richter says lavender tea is ideal if anxiety or stress is causing your headaches. “Lavender has been used as a relaxation herb for centuries. “It can be particularly helpful in reducing stress and reducing cortisol,” she says. This may be especially helpful in treating migraines or tension headaches, which can increase cortisol levels. “Lavender has a calming effect, so it helps you fall asleep and stay asleep and helps you recover from headaches faster,” she adds.
6. Feverfew
According to Richter, drinking feverfew tea, derived from a flowering plant from the daisy family, regularly may help prevent headaches. “With more regular use, feverfew may help Reduces the frequency, severity, and recurrence of migraines.6 “By inhibiting the release of prostaglandins and serotonin, which can worsen migraines,” she says. Tea also contains antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress in the body, which may help reduce inflammation associated with migraines, she says, Richter.
How much tea should you drink to relieve headaches?
According to Richter, drinking one or two cups of tea a day is a good starting point, but this may vary from person to person. Tea (especially the decaffeinated variety) can be consumed almost any time, with or without food. But if your goal is to relieve headaches, Richter recommends drinking the tea right before bed. “Certain teas, such as chamomile or lavender tea, can help you fall asleep, so drink them closer to bedtime,” she says. On the other hand, teas with a high caffeine content, such as green tea or matcha, should be consumed early in the morning.
When preparing a cup of tea, Richter says it's best to keep it plain and simple, with no added sugar or cream. “Ideally, you should drink tea without sugar. Sugar can be an independent cause of headaches. And for some people, even those without an intolerance, dairy can cause inflammation. For best results, drink your tea without added sugar or dairy,” she says.
When to Seek Professional Help for Your Headaches
Although tea can be a great home remedy for relieving mild headache symptoms, Richter notes that it's best to consult a health care professional if your headaches occur more frequently than usual or become more severe. This may be a sign of a more serious problem. Richter also recommends seeing your health care provider for headaches if:
- Over-the-counter alternative treatments do not help.
- I often feel sick due to headaches (dizziness, vomiting).
- Headaches can have a serious impact on your ability to perform normal daily activities.
- I am experiencing headaches with auras that are affecting my vision and vision.
- You may have an underlying medical condition and certain medications may interfere with your ability to manage other health conditions.
Unwind at night with a dreamy lavender latte drink.
Well+Good articles reference scientific, credible, recent and robust research to support the information we share. You can trust us on your wellness journey.
- Jin, Chen et al. “Noncausal Effects Between Tea Consumption and Migraine Risk: A Mendelian Randomized Study.” scientific report volume. 13,1 12898. August 9, 2023, doi:10.1038/s41598-023-40171-z
- Silva, Enrique. “Current Knowledge on the Vascular Effects of Menthol.” Frontiers in Physiology volume. 11 298. April 7, 2020, doi:10.3389/fphys.2020.00298
- Li, Ziping et al. “The unique role of menthol in pain and analgesia: mechanisms, practices, and developments.” Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience volume. 15 1006908. October 5, 2022, doi:10.3389/fnmol.2022.1006908
- Lete, Iñacchi, and Jose Allue. “Effectiveness of ginger in preventing nausea and vomiting during pregnancy and in chemotherapy.” Integrative Medicine Insights volume. 11 11-7. 31 March 2016, doi:10.4137/IMI.S36273
- Gazizade, Javid et al. “Effects of Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L.) on Depression and Anxiety in Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Phytotherapy research: PTR volume. 35,12(2021): 6690-6705. doi:10.1002/ptr.7252
- Pareek, Anil et al. “Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): Systematic review.” Pharmacology Reviews vol.5,9(2011): 103-10. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.79105