5+1 herbs for headache relief

Many people with headaches turn to herbal remedies. Herbal remedies were developed years before modern medicine. Although most traditional headache treatments have not been thoroughly evaluated for their effectiveness, not a few have gained the support of the medical community.

How does the headache go?

Herbal drinks are rich in antioxidants. Trying a hot drink will hydrate you and this will help in case the headache is a symptom of dehydration. Here are some herbs that are considered to relieve headaches.

1. Tanacheto (chrysanthemum the virgin)

Tanatseto (or immortality) is a plant whose flowers resemble chamomile and is used for fever, headache, stomachache and toothache. From time immemorial, people have taken this herb as an analgesic. It is usually prepared by drying the leaves, flowers and stems. This combination is also used to make supplements and extracts. You can find this herb in capsules on the market.

A review of five clinical trials published in 2004 involving 343 people showed small benefits for the majority of people with migraines [1] while another review published in 2011 concluded that tanaceto may be an effective treatment for migraines, fevers, colds and arthritis [2]. Pregnant women, people taking blood thinners or have allergies to daisy plants should avoid using the herb.

2. Ginger

Ginger has been known as an herbal therapy in China for over 2,000 years. It is traditionally used for headache, stomach pain, nausea, cold and flu. It is well documented as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial. A double-blind randomized study in 2014 involving 100 people showed that the benefits of ginger powder were comparable to migraine treatment and had fewer side effects. Two hours after use, the severity of the headaches was significantly reduced with ginger powder [3].

You should not combine ginger supplements with blood thinners due to possible interactions. You can try drinking a ginger drink with lemon.

3. Petasite the hybrid

Petasite grows in wet, swampy areas of Europe, Asia and North America. People once used the leaves of the plant to wrap and preserve butter during hot weather. Dioscorides used the plant as a remedy for skin wounds. Used for headaches, bronchial asthma, allergies, coughs, gastrointestinal problems and aches.

A 2012 review in the journal Neurology found that the herb is effective in preventing migraines when taken in doses of 50 mg to 75 mg twice daily [4].

4. Willow

Willow has been used since the time of Hippocrates for its anti-inflammatory and soothing effects against pain. It was later used in China and Europe for headaches, osteoarthritis, tendonitis and lower back pain. The herb is marketed in capsule form.

5. Tea

Consuming caffeinated beverages, such as tea or coffee, can relieve headaches. Tea was used in combination with other herbs for migraines in traditional Chinese medicine.

However, caffeine withdrawal has also been shown to cause headaches if a person regularly consumes large amounts of caffeine and suddenly stops.

6. Ginkgo biloba

Ginkgo biloba contains in its leaves a diterpene called Ginkgolide B and theoretically has the ability to prevent migraines. In general, the plant helps with memory. One study found that a combination of 60 mg ginkgo biloba terpenes, 11 mg coenzyme Q10 and 8.7 mg vitamin B2 reduced migraine with aura in 50 adult patients [7]. In various studies, the herb has been tested in combination with other vitamins or minerals that are known to have an effect on reducing the incidence of migraine but the other substances were low in content.

At Vita4you.gr you will find a wide variety of supplements with Gingko Biloba!

References

1. Feverfew for preventing migraine.
2. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): A systematic review.
3. Comparison between the efficacy of ginger and sumatriptan in the ablative treatment of the common migraine.
4. Evidence-based guideline update: NSAIDs and other complementary treatments for episodic migraine prevention in adults.
5. Herbal therapy in migraine.