By Leen Randell
Updated: Nov 13, 2024
10 Best Herbal Teas For Headaches
Herbal teas for headaches are a natural and soothing remedy that helps alleviate tension and relax the mind and body, thereby providing relief from debilitating headaches.
The best herbal teas for headaches include Valeriana officinalis, Foeniculum vulgare, Lavandula angustifolia, Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Melissa officinalis, Achillea millefolium, Matricaria chamomilla, Cinnamomum verum, and Mentha x piperita.
If left untreated, headaches can disrupt daily life, causing fatigue, decreased productivity, and strained relationships, ultimately affecting overall well-being and quality of life.
1. Valeriana officinalis
Valeriana officinalis teas helps with headaches because it contains valerenic acid, a natural compound that interacts with the brain's neurotransmitters.
This interaction can help reduce tension and inflammation, which are common causes of headaches. The sedative properties of valerian root can also promote relaxation, further alleviating headache symptoms.
Additionally, valerian root has antispasmodic effects, which can help relieve muscle contractions that contribute to headache pain, providing relief and reducing the frequency of episodes.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Valeriana officinalis teas that help with headaches.
- Valerenic acid: Valerenic acid has a sedative and anti-inflammatory effect on the nervous system, which helps in relieving headache symptoms by reducing pain and inflammation.
- Valerenol: Valerenol is an analgesic and antispasmodic compound that helps to alleviate headache pain by relaxing tense muscles and reducing spasms in blood vessels.
- Isovaleric acid: Isovaleric acid has a sedative and muscle-relaxing effect, which can help to reduce headache pain by calming the nervous system and relaxing tense muscles.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Valeriana officinalis used to make teas for headaches.
- Roots: They are the primary source of valerenic acid, a key compound that helps in reducing anxiety and pain associated with headaches.
- Leaves: They contain a high concentration of valerenic acid and other bioactive compounds that contribute to their analgesic and sedative effects.
- Stems: Although less commonly used, stems also contain valerenic acid and other compounds that contribute to their relaxing and pain-relieving properties.
2. Foeniculum vulgare
Foeniculum vulgare teas helps with headaches because of its natural anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
The active compounds in Foeniculum vulgare, such as anethole and limonene, have been shown to have a relaxing effect on the muscles and nerves, reducing tension and promoting a sense of calm. This can help alleviate the symptoms of headaches, including migraines, tension headaches, and menstrual cramps, by reducing pain and discomfort and promoting a sense of well-being.
Regular consumption of Foeniculum vulgare tea may also help prevent future headaches.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Foeniculum vulgare teas that help with headaches.
- Ferulic acid: It helps with headaches by acting as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, reducing pain and inflammation in the body.
- Anethole: It helps with headaches by acting as a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent, providing relief from pain and discomfort.
- Apiol: It helps with headaches by acting as an antispasmodic agent, relaxing muscle spasms and reducing tension that can lead to headaches.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Foeniculum vulgare used to make teas for headaches.
- Leaves: Leaves are commonly used in teas to relieve headaches due to their high concentration of essential oils, particularly anethole, which has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Seeds: Fennel seeds are often used in teas to alleviate headache symptoms because of their carminative and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to relax and soothe the mind and body.
- Roots: Fennel roots are sometimes used in teas for their mild sedative and anti-inflammatory effects, which can help to calm headaches and reduce pain.
3. Lavandula angustifolia
Lavandula angustifolia teas helps with headaches because of its calming and anti-inflammatory properties.
The tea's bioactive compounds, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, are known to interact with the brain's neurotransmitters, promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. This can help alleviate headache symptoms, including migraines and tension headaches, by soothing muscle tension and improving sleep quality.
The tea's soothing effects can also help to calm the mind and body, leading to a decrease in headache frequency and severity.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Lavandula angustifolia teas that help with headaches.
- Linalool: It helps with headaches by reducing inflammation and modulating pain pathways in the brain.
- Linalyl acetate: It helps with headaches by acting as an anxiolytic and sedative, reducing stress and promoting relaxation, which in turn can alleviate headache symptoms.
- Caryophyllene: It helps with headaches by acting as a neuroprotectant and anti-inflammatory agent, reducing pain and inflammation in the brain.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Lavandula angustifolia used to make teas for headaches.
- Leaves: They are used to make teas for headaches because they contain a high concentration of essential oils that have calming and soothing properties.
- Flowers: They are used to make teas for headaches because they have a relaxing effect and contain compounds that can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
- Stems: They are used to make teas for headaches because they are a good source of antioxidants and flavonoids that can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
4. Zingiber officinale
Zingiber officinale teas helps with headaches because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties and ability to relax tense muscles.
The active compound, gingerol, has a direct impact on the brain's pain receptors, reducing the severity of headaches. Additionally, ginger's warming effect can help to dilate blood vessels and improve circulation, which may also contribute to its headache-relieving properties.
Studies have shown that consuming Zingiber officinale teas can provide effective relief from migraines and tension headaches.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Zingiber officinale teas that help with headaches.
- Gingerols: These compounds have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help alleviate headache pain and reduce inflammation in the brain.
- Shogaols: Similar to gingerols, shogaols exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which contribute to their headache-relieving properties.
- Zingerone: As an anti-inflammatory compound, zingerone helps reduce swelling and pain in blood vessels, which can contribute to headache symptoms.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Zingiber officinale used to make teas for headaches.
- Stems: Ginger stems, although less common, are sometimes used to make teas, as they contain a lower concentration of active compounds but still provide some relief from headaches and nausea.
- Leaves: Ginger leaves, while not as widely used as the rhyzome, are occasionally used to make teas, as they contain some of the same active compounds and may offer similar benefits in relieving headaches and digestive issues.
5. Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba teas helps with headaches because it is rich in flavonoids and terpenoids, which have potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
These compounds help to improve blood flow to the brain, reducing the frequency and severity of headaches. Additionally, ginkgo biloba's ability to relax blood vessels and reduce oxidative stress can also contribute to its headache-relieving effects.
By promoting overall vascular health, ginkgo biloba teas can provide natural relief from tension headaches and other types of headaches.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Ginkgo biloba teas that help with headaches.
- Flavonoids: Help with headaches by reducing inflammation, improving blood flow to the brain, and acting as antioxidants to combat oxidative stress.
- Terpenoids: Help with headaches by blocking the action of certain neurotransmitters that lead to pain, such as serotonin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), and reducing inflammation in blood vessels.
- Ferulic acid: Help with headaches by acting as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress, inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory enzymes, and improving blood flow to the brain.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Ginkgo biloba used to make teas for headaches.
- Leaves: They are widely used due to their high concentration of flavonoids and terpenoids, which are believed to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help alleviate headache symptoms.
- Seeds: Ginkgo seeds are also commonly used in teas, as they contain bilobalide, a compound that may help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow to the brain, potentially relieving headache pain.
- Buds: Some herbal teas use Ginkgo buds, which contain a mix of flavonoids and terpenoids, believed to have a synergistic effect that may help reduce headache frequency and severity.
6. Melissa officinalis
Melissa officinalis teas helps with headaches because of its unique combination of calming and relaxing properties.
The herbal tea contains rosmarinic acid, which acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, helping to reduce inflammation and ease tension in the head and neck. Additionally, Melissa officinalis has a sedative effect, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation, which can help alleviate migraine and tension headaches by calming the mind and body.
This leads to a reduction in headache frequency and severity.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Melissa officinalis teas that help with headaches.
- Rosmarinic acid: It helps reduce inflammation and alleviate headache symptoms by acting as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent.
- Linalool: This terpene constituent has a sedative effect and can help relax tense muscles, thereby relieving headache pain and promoting a sense of calmness.
- Geraniol: Geraniol has a calming effect on the nervous system, which can help reduce stress and anxiety that may contribute to headache development.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Melissa officinalis used to make teas for headaches.
- Leaves: They are rich in essential oils, which provide the calming and soothing effects necessary to alleviate headache symptoms.
- Flowers: The flowers contain a high concentration of melissic acid and other compounds that contribute to their pain-relieving and calming properties.
- Stems: The stems of Melissa officinalis contain a significant amount of essential oils, which can help to reduce inflammation and alleviate headache pain.
7. Achillea millefolium
Achillea millefolium teas helps with headaches because it has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the mind and body.
The tea contains compounds such as sesquiterpene lactones, which have analgesic and antispasmodic effects. These properties help to reduce pain and inflammation, relieving tension headaches and migraines.
Additionally, the tea's calming and relaxing effects help to alleviate stress and anxiety, common triggers for headaches. By promoting relaxation and reducing pain, Achillea millefolium tea can provide natural relief from headaches.
Its benefits make it a popular choice for headache sufferers.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Achillea millefolium teas that help with headaches.
- Caffeic acid: It has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help in reducing pain and inflammation associated with headaches.
- Apigenin: This flavonoid has a sedative effect on the nervous system, which can help in calming the mind and body, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of headaches.
- Bornyl acetate: It has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help in reducing pain and inflammation in the body, providing relief from headache symptoms.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Achillea millefolium used to make teas for headaches.
- Leaves: The leaves are used due to their high content of volatile oils, which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
- Flowers: The flowers are used because they contain flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Stems: The stems are used due to their high concentration of sesquiterpene lactones, which have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
8. Matricaria chamomilla
Matricaria chamomilla teas helps with headaches because of its natural anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.
The tea contains apigenin, an antioxidant that calms the nervous system and relaxes tense muscles. Chamomile's ability to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation also helps alleviate headache symptoms. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory effects may help reduce swelling and pain associated with tension headaches and migraines, providing relief and a sense of calm for those experiencing headaches.
This natural remedy has been used for centuries to soothe and calm the mind and body.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Matricaria chamomilla teas that help with headaches.
- Apigenin: Helps with headaches by acting as a natural sedative and anti-anxiety agent, which can help to relax the muscles and reduce pain.
- Apigenin-7-o-glucoside: Contributes to headache relief by possessing anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, which can help to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.
- Chamazulene: Helps with headaches by exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation associated with headaches.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Matricaria chamomilla used to make teas for headaches.
- Flowers: Used for teas due to their high concentration of apigenin, an anti-inflammatory compound that helps alleviate headache symptoms.
- Leaves: Used for teas as they contain flavonoids and terpenoids that have a soothing effect on the mind and body, providing relief from headaches.
- Seeds: Used for teas as they contain sesquiterpenes, which have a sedative effect that can help reduce headache severity and promote relaxation.
9. Cinnamomum verum
Cinnamomum verum teas helps with headaches because of its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
The active compounds in Ceylon cinnamon, such as cinnamaldehyde and linalool, have been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in the body. This natural remedy can help alleviate tension headaches and migraines by relaxing the muscles and improving blood flow to the brain.
As a result, Cinnamomum verum teas can provide relief from headache symptoms and promote a sense of calm and well-being.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Cinnamomum verum teas that help with headaches.
- Cinnamaldehyde: A potent analgesic compound that helps to reduce pain and inflammation associated with headaches, providing relief from headache symptoms.
- Cinnamomin: A phenolic compound that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain, contributing to the alleviation of headache symptoms.
- Eugenol: A phenolic compound with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to reduce pain and inflammation in the head and neck region, providing relief from headache pain.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Cinnamomum verum used to make teas for headaches.
- Leaves: The leaves are used to make teas for headaches due to their calming and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to soothe and relieve tension.
- Buds: The buds are used to make teas for headaches due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Stems: The stems are used to make teas for headaches due to their calming and anti-spasmodic properties, which help to relax muscles and reduce tension.
10. Mentha x piperita
Mentha x piperita teas helps with headaches because of its natural ability to relax tense muscles and improve blood flow to the brain.
The tea's active compounds, such as menthol and menthone, have a calming effect on the mind and body, reducing inflammation and alleviating pain. Additionally, mentha x piperita's fragrance can also help to clear nasal passages and sinuses, further reducing the severity of headaches caused by sinus pressure or allergies.
This natural remedy can provide relief from headaches without the need for medication.
Medicinal Constituents
The list below shows the primary medicinal constituents in Mentha x piperita teas that help with headaches.
- Menthol: A monoterpene that helps to reduce pain by blocking the production of pain-causing chemicals in the brain and increasing blood flow to the affected area.
- Eugenol: A phenolic compound that has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, helping to reduce pain and inflammation associated with headaches.
- Menthone: A monoterpene that has a sedative effect, helping to relax the muscles and reduce tension that can contribute to headaches.
Parts Used
The list below shows the primary parts of Mentha x piperita used to make teas for headaches.
- Leaves: Leaves are commonly used to make teas for headaches due to their high menthol content, which provides a cooling effect and helps relieve pain.
- Buds: Buds are used to make teas for headaches because they contain a high concentration of menthol and other essential oils that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Stems: Stems are sometimes used to make teas for headaches, but they are less commonly used than leaves and buds due to their lower menthol content; however, they still contribute to the tea's flavor and medicinal properties.