Teas made with herbs like ginger and feverfew can help control pain by blocking prostaglandins, a pain-causing compound released by the body in response to many ailments. Chamomile and peppermint have antispasmodic effects, while meadowsweet, white willow bark, and wintergreen have anti-inflammatory properties. Also holy basil, a herb with multiple medicinal properties can treat headaches.

Headaches come in all sorts of avatars, from your garden-variety dull throb to skull-blasting migraines replete with flashing lights. Whether you’re an occasional or frequent sufferer, a warm cup of herbal tea may ease your pain – sometimes, even as effectively as conventional medication! Nature’s bountiful garden of herbs offers a host of options and we’ve lined up some for you to consider.

But first, a quick look at what triggers headaches.

Headache Triggers

Pain receptors in our head and neck, when stimulated by different factors, can set off a headache. Some common triggers include:

• Infections
• Extreme heat or cold
• Loud noise
• Injuries to the neck, head, or spine
• Eye-related ailments
• Nervous system disorders
• Medication
• Diet
• Incorrect posture (strains the neck and back muscles)
• Hangover from substance abuse
• Hormonal changes
• High blood pressure
• Arthritis
• Eye, ear, nose, and throat ailments

While tackling your headache requires you to address the underlying cause, some natural remedies can ease the pain and discomfort. Here’s a list of herbal teas to help you find relief from that nagging headache.

Herbal Teas To Ease Your Headache

Understanding Herbal Tea Making

While some herbal tea recipes call for an infusion, others require decoctions. What’s the difference? With herbal teas, the part of the plant and method used to determine whether you should make an infusion or a decoction.

• Leaves and flowers: Steep in just-boiled water from 5 to 20 minutes. This is an infusion.
• Roots, stems, and barks: Boil in water for 5 to 30 minutes. This stronger, reduced solution is called a decoction.

10 Popular Herbal Teas For Your Headache

Across cultures, herbs have been used for centuries to ease a throbbing head and give relief. However, don’t give these herbal preparations to small children without medical advice, as they could trigger allergic reactions or cause other side effects.

1. Ginger Tea

Ginger is believed to ease tension-related headaches by blocking the release of pain-producing substances called prostaglandins in our bodies.³Some headache sufferers have also found relief from migraine headaches that occur in the front of the head, and headaches caused by cold and windy weather.

How to make

Boil 1.5 cups of water in a pan, add about 2 teaspoons of freshly sliced ginger and 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and simmer on a low flame for about 5 minutes. Strain the tea and drink hot. You can add honey instead of tea if you like though there is no need to heat honey. You can drink about 3 cups a day when you have a headache.

2. Chamomile Tea

German chamomile contains an aromatic chemical compound called chamazulene that has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, antipyretic, and antiseptic properties. German chamomile, in particular, is a popular folk medicine that aids in relaxation and pain relief. Drink chamomile tea for relief from tension headaches and anxiety.

How to make

Steep 1 tablespoon of fresh chamomile flowers or 2–3 teaspoons of dried flowers in a cup of freshly boiled water for 10–15 minutes. Strain and cool slightly before drinking. You can drink 3–4 cups a day between meals. Drinking too much chamomile tea can cause vomiting, so don’t go overboard.

A word of caution: If you are allergic to either asters, chrysanthemums, daisies, or ragweed, you should avoid chamomile as it belongs to the same family. Chamomile is best avoided by pregnant women as it could up the risk of miscarriage. Do not consume chamomile without medical guidance if you are taking blood thinners, sedatives, high blood pressure or diabetes medicines, and hormonal medications as chamomile could interact with these.

3. Feverfew Tea

Feverfew has wide-ranging therapeutic uses in folk medicine but is best known for its ability to both prevent and alleviate a migraine. Parthenolide, a compound found in this herb, is believed to do the trick, along with other substances that inhibit the body from releasing prostaglandins, prevent blood clotting, and ease the vascular muscles. While research studies are still on the fence about whether regular intake of feverfew helps reduce a migraine. In some studies, people experienced no benefits, while in others, the herb was found to reduce the debilitating symptoms of a migraine like nausea, noise and light sensitivity, and pain in the head.

How to make

Boil a cupful of water and steep 2-8 feverfew leaves in it. Drink this tea at least once every day. The leaves should not be boiled as boiling could break down the parthenolide.

A word of caution: Feverfew can interact with your existing prescription drugs. For instance, if you are taking blood thinners, feverfew may increase the chances of bleeding. Also, medications that are broken down by the liver may interact with feverfew. It is best to speak to your doctor before trying it out. Pregnant women should not take feverfew as it can trigger contractions. Lactating women should not be given feverfew either.

4. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint was a popular herbal remedy with the ancient Egyptians and continues to be used in the Middle East and Asia. It’s been listed for over 150 years in the United States Pharmacopoeia. The calming effect of peppermint has found use in a variety of ailments including a headache, anxiety-related disorders, and gastric problems. Peppermint contains menthol and methyl salicylate, both of which have anti-spasmodic effects.

How to make

Take 1 heaped teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves and steep in 1 cup of boiled water. Strain and cool. Have a cup of the tea 4–5 times a day between meals.

A word of caution: Don’t serve peppermint tea to children under 12 years as it is known to induce a choking sensation in young children. Don’t drink peppermint tea if you have acid reflux. The herb’s relaxing effect works on the sphincter or opening between the stomach and esophagus, allowing acids to flow back into your stomach.

5. Meadowsweet Tea

The scent of almonds pervades this herb. It helps to relieve a headache and bring down a fever. Meadowsweet contains salicin, the same compound that’s found in aspirin.

How to make

Steep 1–2 teaspoons of dried meadowsweet flowers in an 8 oz. cup of boiled water. Steep for about 10 minutes, strain and drink. Add honey to taste. You can drink up to 3 cups a day.

A word of caution: Do not drink meadowsweet tea in addition to taking aspirin or if you are allergic to aspirin. Also, the tea should not be given to children, unless a physician recommends it. Because of the chances of developing Reye syndrome, a serious condition associated with aspirin in children, children under 18 years of age should avoid meadowsweet.

6. White Willow Bark

Willow bark has been known to ancient civilizations – the Sumerians, Egyptians, Assyrians, and Greeks. Native Americans too were aware of the healing properties of its bark, when brewed as a tea, to bring down fever, ease headaches, and relieve joint pains. White willow bark is a source of salicin, from which we get pain-relieving salicylic acid.

How to make

To make this decoction, take 4 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons of dried flakes of willow bark and add to a pan containing 16 oz water. Cover the pan, simmer for 6 minutes. Strain the decoction. Have a cup of this tea thrice daily.

A word of caution: Like its modern relative aspirin, white willow bark tea may irritate the stomach lining. Consult a herbalist or naturopath if you have any existing gastrointestinal condition and proceed with care. Because of its aspirin-like property, willow bark should not be given to children under 18 years of age.

7. Wintergreen Tea

Wintergreen is an evergreen shrub that is used in herbal medicine for a host of aches and pains including headaches. Historically, native Americans brewed the leaves of this herb into a refreshing tea. Methyl salicylate, found in wintergreen, is closely associated with aspirin.

How to make

Place half a teaspoon of dried wintergreen leaves in a pot, pour in 4 oz of freshly boiled water. Cover and let it steep for just 3 minutes and strain. You can safely drink 2–3 cups a day. Wintergreen has a bitter flavor, so you may want to add a teaspoon of honey.

A word of caution: Wintergreen is a powerful herb, best taken in small quantities – no more than half a cup at a time. And like meadowsweet and willow bark, since Wintergreen has aspirin-like properties, the same precautions hold.

8. Lemon Balm

A calming herb, lemon balm belongs to the mint family. Among its other uses, it has been known as a pain reliever and mild sedative since the Middle Ages. It’s wrinkly leaves, when rubbed, give off a pleasantly tart aroma, much like lemon. Herbalists recommend lemon balm tea for migraine sufferers. Commission E, the advisory group that validates the safety of herbal medicines to the German government, also endorses the use of lemon balm to treat headaches.

How to make

Steep 1 teaspoon dried lemon balm leaves in a cup of freshly boiled water. You can drink up to 4 cups of this tea daily.

Here’s a variation: Add a dash of feverfew, ginger, and turmeric powder to this brew for variety. While the first two herbs are also popular remedies for headaches, turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties.

A word of caution: Lemon balm may interact adversely with sedatives and thyroid medications – if you are undergoing treatment for these conditions, consult your physician before taking lemon balm tea. You should also avoid using lemon balm if you are on HIV medication as lemon balm’s interaction with antiretroviral drugs has not been sufficiently researched.

9. Mixed Herb Tea

A combination of herbs can also help ease a throbbing head. Here’s a recommended mix:

Steep small quantities of cinnamon, rosemary, and peppermint in hot water for a few minutes. Strain and enjoy a steaming, aromatic cup of tea! Rosemary has a calming effect and can be used by itself for headache relief. Cinnamon works very well for headaches caused by colds. It can be used externally and consumed too. It adds a natural sweetness to your tea as well.

10. Tulsi Tea

Anyone with a nodding acquaintance with Ayurveda would be aware of Tulsi or holy basil. This adaptogenic herb is blessed with many medicinal properties and is used extensively by ayurvedic physicians. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it perfect for pain relief. Tulsi tea can especially help with headaches and migraines.

How to make

Take a handful of fresh tulsi leaves and boil in water to make a decoction. Cool and strain before drinking.

Masala Chai For Headaches

Herbal teas notwithstanding, what’s wrong with putting the kettle on for a cup of plain old black tea to fix a headache? Nothing really, since tea, like many other ingredients – coffee, chocolate, colas – contains caffeine, the same ingredient included in both prescription and over-the-counter headache drugs to enhance the efficacy of pain relievers.³⁵ The catch is that if you become habituated to too many cuppas, you could end up with a “rebound headache”, a condition that is the consequence of excessive caffeine ingestion.

Generally speaking, someone with a headache can consume up to 200 mg of caffeine over a day. However, the National Headache Foundation cautions chronic headache sufferers against taking caffeine every day.

A 5 oz cup of black tea has about 11–25 mg of caffeine in it. The caffeine content also increases according to brewing time:

• 1-minute brew: 20–80 mg
• 3-minute brew: 21–33 mg
• 5-minute brew: 35–46 mg

So do your math before getting a cuppa for that headache and don’t go overboard.³⁶ To make the most of it, add a healthy dose of spices to your tea. Try masala chai or spiced tea, a brew of tea, milk, water, and a touch of spices such as cinnamon, pepper, and cloves along with ginger.