Last updated: Apr 28, 2024
10 best herbal teas for one side headache
For those seeking natural relief from a one-sided headache, certain herbal teas prove highly effective.
Ginger tea, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, reduces pain and inflammation in the head. Peppermint tea, containing menthol, soothes and relaxes tense muscles, promoting sinus and blood flow improvement.
Lastly, chamomile tea, rich in antioxidants and antispasmodic qualities, helps alleviate headaches caused by stress or muscle tension.
1. Feverfew
Feverfew tea provides relief from one-sided headaches, such as migraines, due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
This herbal tea contains parthenolide, a compound that inhibits the release of chemicals causing blood vessels to expand and inflame. By reducing inflammation and constricting blood vessels, feverfew tea alleviates pressure and pain on the affected side of the head. Furthermore, feverfew demonstrates an ability to prevent the onset of migraines by inhibiting the production of excess serotonin and prostaglandins.
Regular consumption of feverfew tea promotes vascular health and maintains consistent blood flow, thus minimizing the recurrence of one-sided headaches.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in feverfew tea that help with one side headache.
- Leaves: The leaves of the feverfew plant are rich in parthenolide, a compound known to alleviate symptoms of migraines and headaches.
- Flowers: Feverfew flowers contain similar medicinal compounds as the leaves, but in smaller concentrations, making them a suitable alternative.
- Stems: Although not as potent as the leaves or flowers, feverfew stems can contribute to the tea's efficacy in treating one-sided headaches.
- Seeds: Feverfew seeds are a potential source of the plant's therapeutic compounds, though they are less frequently used in medicinal tea preparations.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in feverfew tea that aid with one side headache.
- Parthenolide: Reduces inflammation by inhibiting the release of prostaglandins and suppressing the activity of COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes, providing relief from one-sided headaches.
- Sesquiterpene Lactones: Exhibit strong anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in the alleviation of headaches originating from inflammation.
- Flavonoids: Possess potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, contributing to the easing of one-sided headaches by counteracting oxidative stress and inflammation.
- Volatile Oils: Comprise various compounds, such as camphor and camphene, which have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, providing headache relief.
- Tanacetin: Acts as a selective COX-2 inhibitor, reducing inflammation and providing relief specifically for unilateral headaches.
- Ilerdanin: Demonstrates anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, helping alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with one-sided headaches.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic feverfew tea for one side headache.
- Gather 2-3 large feverfew leaves and rinse them thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities.
- Bring 1 cup of water to a boil, then add the cleaned feverfew leaves and let it steep for 10 minutes to allow the medicinal compounds to extrude.
- Strain the tea into a cup, discarding the spent leaves, and let it cool down to a drinkable temperature.
- Add a teaspoon of honey to the tea, if desired, to enhance the flavor and soothe a sore throat.
- Sip the tea slowly, allowing it to coat your throat and relax the muscles that may be contributing to the headache.
2. Willow
Willow tea alleviates one-sided headaches due to its salicin content, a natural compound similar to aspirin.
This substance inhibits prostaglandin production, reducing inflammation and, consequently, headache pain. Moreover, willow bark contains flavonoids, which boost salicin's pain-relieving properties. By drinking willow tea, you enable your body to absorb these beneficial compounds gradually, ensuring lasting relief.
Furthermore, willow tea's soothing warmth promotes circulation, aiding in the dispersal of tension and alleviating headache symptoms.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in willow tea that help with one side headache.
- Leaves: Contain compounds that can help reduce inflammation, making them effective for treating one-sided headaches.
- Bark: Has pain-relieving properties that can soothe headaches, especially when brewed into a medicinal tea.
- Flowers: Contain flavonoids that can help reduce blood pressure and alleviate headache symptoms.
- Seeds: Rich in anti-inflammatory compounds that can help reduce swelling and ease headache pain.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in willow tea that aid with one side headache.
- Salicin: A natural anti-inflammatory compound that helps reduce inflammation, thereby alleviating one-sided headaches caused by swelling.
- Flavonoids: Antioxidant compounds that improve circulation and reduce inflammation, which can help relieve headaches by reducing pressure on blood vessels.
- Tannins: Astringent compounds that can help reduce swelling and inflammation, providing relief for one-sided headaches.
- Phenolic acids: Antioxidant compounds that help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are involved in the inflammatory response.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic willow tea for one side headache.
- Gather 2 fresh willow bark branches, peel off outer bark, and cut branches into 1-inch slices.
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add willow bark slices, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, strain out willow bark, and let tea cool to a drinkable temperature.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of honey for added flavor (optional).
- Drink 1 cup of willow tea twice a day, in the morning and afternoon, to alleviate a one-sided headache.
3. Ginger
Ginger tea provides relief from a one-sided headache due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce inflammation in the blood vessels of the head.
The compound gingerol, present in ginger, inhibits prostaglandin synthesis, thereby alleviating pain. Ginger tea's soothing warmth increases blood circulation, helping to relax constricted muscles and ease discomfort. Furthermore, ginger tea's natural calming effect aids in stress reduction, which can often trigger headaches.
Lastly, ginger's ability to settle the stomach can help mitigate nausea commonly associated with headaches.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in ginger tea that help with one side headache.
- Rhizomes: Contain anti-inflammatory compounds that help alleviate headaches.
- Leaves: Rich in antioxidants that improve circulation and reduce headache symptoms.
- Flowers: Possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that soothe headache pain.
- Seeds: High in magnesium, which helps relax muscles and alleviate tension headaches.
- Buds: Contain high levels of essential oils that can help reduce inflammation and headache pain.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in ginger tea that aid with one side headache.
- Gingerols: These compounds possess strong anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce prostaglandin synthesis, a key contributor to inflammation and pain in one-sided headaches.
- Shogaols: Known for their potent analgesic effects, shogaols help alleviate headache pain by inhibiting the transmission of pain signals in the nervous system.
- Paradols: With proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, paradols aid in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, common causes of headaches.
- Zingerone: As a mild irritant, zingerone stimulates localized blood flow, helping to relax constricted blood vessels and alleviating tension responsible for one-sided headaches.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic ginger tea for one side headache.
- Peel and grate 1 inch of fresh ginger, then let it steep in boiling water for 10 minutes.
- Strain the ginger pieces from the water, leaving behind a ginger-infused tea.
- Optionally, add 1 teaspoon of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice for added flavor.
- Pour the ginger tea into a mug, ensuring it's warm but not scalding hot.
- Sip the tea slowly, allowing it to soothe your headache over 15-20 minutes.
4. Peppermint
Peppermint tea provides relief from headaches on one side due to its menthol content, which creates a cooling sensation that relaxes muscles.
This muscle relaxation extends to blood vessels, allowing them to narrow and reducing the pressure that causes headaches. Furthermore, peppermint oil, a component of peppermint tea, boasts anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that alleviate pain. The calming nature of tea drinking itself, as a soothing warm beverage, helps reduce tension and stress, common headache triggers.
Lastly, peppermint tea aids in digestion, and since headaches can stem from gastrointestinal issues, addressing these problems can contribute to headache relief.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in peppermint tea that help with one side headache.
- Leaves: Contain menthol, a natural compound that helps relax muscles and alleviates pain, making it useful for treating one-sided headaches.
- Flowers: Rich in essential oils, which have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, helping to soothe headache pain.
- Buds: High in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and provide relief from headaches.
- Stems: Contain rosmarinic acid, shown to have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, beneficial for treating headaches.
- Seeds: Packed with flavonoids, which have pain-relieving qualities and can help alleviate headaches.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in peppermint tea that aid with one side headache.
- Menthol: Acts as a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory, helping to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the blood vessels surrounding the brain, which can cause one-sided headaches.
- Limonene: A terpene that exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation associated with headaches.
- Rosmarinic acid: A phenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, helping to protect nerve cells from damage and reduce inflammation linked to headaches.
- Luteolin-7-O-glucoside: A flavonoid glycoside that inhibits the release of pro-inflammatory mediators, decreasing pain and inflammation associated with one-sided headaches.
- Eriocitrin: A flavonoid glycoside with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to neutralize free radicals and reduce inflammation that can lead to headaches.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic peppermint tea for one side headache.
- Boil 8 ounces of water to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, taking 5-7 minutes in a pot on high heat.
- Crush 1 tablespoon of dried peppermint leaves to release oils, consuming 30 seconds.
- Place crushed peppermint leaves in a tea infuser and put it in a mug.
- Pour boiled water over the infuser and steep for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the infuser and enjoy the soothing peppermint tea, immediately relieving your headache.
5. Chamomile
Chamomile tea contains anti-inflammatory compounds like bisabolol and chamazulene, which work to reduce the swelling of blood vessels in the head, thereby alleviating the pain from a headache on one side.
Moreover, its calming properties, derived from the apigenin content, promote relaxation and stress reduction, often triggers of headaches. Chamomile tea is also a natural antioxidant, mopping up free radicals that can cause inflammation and pain. Additionally, chamomile has been shown to stimulate the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that constricts blood vessels and reduces headache pain.
Lastly, chamomile's gentle sedative effects also aid in improving sleep, and addressing sleep disturbances can prevent headaches from recurring.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in chamomile tea that help with one side headache.
- Flowers: Contain flavonoids that act as a mild sedative, helping to reduce tension and relieve one-sided headaches.
- Leaves: Rich in antioxidants and volatile oils that can help alleviate inflammation and soothe nerves, making them ideal for headache relief.
- Seeds: Packed with essential oils like bisabolol, which has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce headache pain and swelling.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in chamomile tea that aid with one side headache.
- Apigenin: A flavonoid with anticonvulsant and anti-inflammatory properties that helps reduce nerve inflammation and muscle spasms causing one-sided headaches.
- Chamazulene: A volatile oil with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that helps decrease inflammation and oxidative stress contributing to one-sided headaches.
- Matricin: A precursor to chamazulene, exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties that aids in alleviating tissue inflammation causing headaches.
- Bisabolol: A sesquiterpene alcohol known for its anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and soothing effects, which helps reduce pain and inflammation associated with one-sided headaches.
- Spiroether: A compound with potential antispasmodic properties that helps relax muscles and alleviate muscle tension causing headaches.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic chamomile tea for one side headache.
- Boil 8 ounces of water to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, requiring approximately 3-5 minutes in a stovetop kettle.
- Place one heaping teaspoon (about 2 grams) of dried chamomile flowers in a teapot or mug.
- Pour the boiling water over the chamomile flowers, ensuring full saturation and releasing the active compounds.
- Steep the chamomile tea for 5-10 minutes, allowing ample time for extraction of the medicinal constituents, and then strain the tea.
- Sip the chamomile tea slowly, aiming to consume the entire 8 ounces over 20-30 minutes to alleviate the one-sided headache.
6. Skullcap
Skullcap tea brings relief to one-sided headaches due to its anti-inflammatory and sedative properties.
This herbal tea contains compounds, such as flavonoids and volatile oils, that reduce inflammation in the blood vessels present in the head. By causing the smooth muscles surrounding these blood vessels to relax, skullcap tea lessens the pressure and resulting pain. Furthermore, it possesses mild nervine properties that soothe the nervous system, diminishing tension and promoting relaxation.
Consequently, skullcap tea offers a natural remedy for individuals seeking headache relief, addressing both inflammation and stress-related causes.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in skullcap tea that help with one side headache.
- Leaves: Contain compounds that help relax muscles and reduce inflammation, making them effective in alleviating one-sided headaches.
- Flowers: Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, helping to soothe nerves and provide relief from headaches.
- Stems: Contain essential oils that promote blood circulation and help ease tension, providing headache relief.
- Buds: High in flavonoids and antioxidants, supporting vascular health and reducing headache symptoms.
- Seeds: Contain essential fatty acids, reducing inflammation in the body and helping to alleviate headaches.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in skullcap tea that aid with one side headache.
- Flavonoids: These antioxidant compounds help reduce inflammation and muscle spasms, which can alleviate one-sided headaches.
- Scutellarin: A flavone glycoside, scutellarin has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, helping to reduce headache pain.
- Catalpol: An iridoid glycoside, catalpol demonstrates anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuroprotective effects, which can benefit individuals with one-sided headaches.
- Bisabolol: A sesquiterpene alcohol, bisabolol has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and soothing qualities, making it helpful for headache relief.
- Melatonin: A naturally occurring hormone, melatonin can help regulate sleep patterns and reduce tension-type headaches.
- Tannins: These polyphenolic compounds have astringent properties, which can help alleviate inflammation and soothe headache symptoms.
- Rosmarinic acid: A phenolic acid, rosmarinic acid possesses anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, contributing to skullcap tea's headache-relieving properties.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic skullcap tea for one side headache.
- Boil 1 cup of water to 212°F (100°C) for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 2 teaspoons of dried skullcap herb to a teapot or infuser.
- Pour the boiling water over the skullcap herb and steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a cup, discarding the spent herb.
- Sip the warm skullcap tea slowly, allowing it to soothe the headache.
7. Linden
Linden tea, a popular herbal remedy, contains active compounds that possess anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties.
These compounds, including flavonoids and volatile oils, work together to alleviate headache symptoms by reducing inflammation in the blood vessels and relaxing underlying muscle tension. By promoting circulation and soothing the nervous system, linden tea helps to ease the pain associated with one-sided headaches, providing natural relief without the need for synthetic medications. Furthermore, linden tea's mild sedative effects can help to reduce stress and anxiety, common triggers for headaches, making it an effective holistic treatment option.
Lastly, linden tea's antioxidant properties support overall brain health, helping to prevent future headaches and maintain long-term well-being.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in linden tea that help with one side headache.
- Leaves: Contain compounds that help relax muscles and reduce inflammation, making them helpful for treating one-sided headaches.
- Flowers: Rich in antioxidants and volatile oils that can soothe nerves and alleviate pain caused by headaches.
- Stems: Packed with tannins that can help reduce inflammation and ease muscle tension, making them suitable for headache relief.
- Buds: Contain high levels of flavonoids that can help improve blood circulation, easing the pain of headaches.
- Bark: Has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help alleviate headache symptoms and reduce muscle spasms.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in linden tea that aid with one side headache.
- Mangiferin: Possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties that aid in reducing inflammation associated with one-sided headaches.
- Quercetin: Acts as a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, helping to alleviate headache symptoms.
- Kaempferol: Known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which can help manage headache pain.
- Rutin: A flavonoid with vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in the relief of headaches.
- Naringenin: Exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, helping to manage headache-related discomfort.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic linden tea for one side headache.
- Boil 1 cup of water for 3-5 minutes until it reaches a rolling boil.
- Add 1-2 teaspoons of dried linden flowers to a tea infuser or teapot.
- Pour the boiling water over the linden flowers and let it steep for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the tea infuser or strain the tea into a cup.
- Drink the warm linden tea slowly, sipping it gently to ensure maximum absorption.
8. Passionflower
Passionflower tea contains harmala alkaloids and flavonoids, which possess anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
These compounds inhibit the production of inflammatory molecules and interact with opioid receptors in the brain, reducing the perception of pain. By promoting GABA activity in the central nervous system, passionflower tea also alleviates muscle tension, a common cause of headaches. Consequently, passionflower tea decreases headache intensity on one side of the head by addressing both inflammation and muscle tension.
Lastly, its anxiolytic effects help decrease stress, which can trigger headaches, further contributing to its headache-relieving properties.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in passionflower tea that help with one side headache.
- Leaves: Contain flavonoids that have anti-inflammatory properties, helping to alleviate symptoms of a one-sided headache.
- Flowers: Rich in antioxidants, help reduce inflammation and provide relief from headaches.
- Stems: Contain alkaloids that can help reduce muscle spasms and alleviate headache pain.
- Bark: Has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, making it an effective natural remedy for headaches.
- Seeds: Contain essential oils that provide soothing effects, reducing headache symptoms caused by tension or stress.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in passionflower tea that aid with one side headache.
- Flavonoids: These antioxidants reduce inflammation, which helps alleviate headache pain.
- Alkaloids: Containing relaxing properties, alkaloids help ease muscle tension that can cause headaches.
- Harman: Acting as a sedative, harman aids in reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation, which can minimize headache symptoms.
- Chrysin: Demonstrating anti-inflammatory and mild pain-relieving properties, chrysin directly targets headache pain.
- Benzoflavone: Possessing analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, benzoflavone contributes to relieving headache discomfort.
- Vitexin: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, vitexin helps reduce swelling, which can alleviate headache symptoms.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic passionflower tea for one side headache.
- Boil 1 cup of water to 212°F (100°C) for 1-2 minutes.
- Add 1 teaspoon (2-3 grams) of dried passionflower leaves to a teapot or infuser.
- Pour the hot water over the passionflower leaves and steep for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the passionflower tea into a cup, discarding the leaves.
- Sip the warm tea slowly, allowing it to soothe your headache.
9. Valerian
Valerian tea aids in alleviating one-sided headaches due to its natural sedative properties, which reduce tension in the muscles, particularly in the head and neck.
This herbal tea contains valerenic acid, a compound that binds to GABA receptors in the brain, promoting relaxation and minimizing pain transmission. Valerian's anti-inflammatory effects further contribute to headache relief by reducing swelling in blood vessels surrounding the brain. Moreover, valerian tea improves sleep quality, which can prevent tension headaches caused by poor sleep or stress.
Ultimately, valerian tea's soothing qualities make it an effective natural remedy for one-sided headaches.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in valerian tea that help with one side headache.
- Roots: Contain active compounds that help relax muscles and have a calming effect, making them effective for relieving tension-related one-sided headaches.
- Flowers: Rich in volatile oils and antioxidants, promoting relaxation and reducing inflammation, which can alleviate headache symptoms.
- Leaves: Packed with therapeutic compounds, including valerenic acid, that aid in reducing nerve excitability and muscle spasms, providing headache relief.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in valerian tea that aid with one side headache.
- Valerenic acid: Interacts with GABA receptors in the brain to reduce anxiety and tension, often associated with one-sided headaches.
- Valepotriates: Possess anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic properties, helping alleviate muscle tension and inflammation causing headaches.
- Flavanones: Act as antioxidants, protecting nerve cells and reducing oxidative stress, a potential cause of headaches.
- Hydroxycinnamic acids: Inhibit inflammation and possess analgesic properties, addressing the pain and inflammation of headaches.
- Essential oils: Contribute to the calming and soothing effects of valerian tea, helping to reduce tension and ease headaches.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic valerian tea for one side headache.
- Boil 1 cup of water to start the tea preparation.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried valerian root to the boiling water.
- Steep the valerian root in the hot water for 10-15 minutes.
- Strain the tea to remove the valerian root pieces.
- Sip the tea slowly, allowing it to soothe the side headache.
10. Lavender
Lavender tea is a natural remedy that brings instant relief to a one-sided headache due to its inherent therapeutic properties.
The tea's active compounds, particularly linalool and linalyl acetate, have demonstrated analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that specifically target headache pain. Moreover, lavender tea acts as a mild sedative, promoting relaxation and reducing tension in the affected muscles, thus diminishing headache intensity. Additionally, its soothing aroma, when inhaled, triggers the body's parasympathetic nervous response, easing anxiety and stress that often exacerbate headache symptoms.
Consequently, lavender tea provides swift, consistent relief from one-sided headaches, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a holistic, chemical-free solution.
Right below you will find a list of the most important parts in lavender tea that help with one side headache.
- Flowers: Contain calming properties that help alleviate tension, a common cause of one-sided headaches.
- Leaves: Rich in soothing compounds, the leaves help reduce inflammation and provide relief from headache symptoms.
- Buds: Packed with antioxidants and pain-relieving agents, buds can effectively target and soothe a one-sided headache.
- Stems: Contain active constituents that can help ease muscle spasms and decrease headache intensity.
The list below shows the primary active constituents in lavender tea that aid with one side headache.
- Linalool: A terpene alcohol with analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that alleviates one-sided headaches by reducing pain and swelling.
- Linalyl acetate: An ester with soothing effects that helps manage one-sided headaches by relaxing tense muscles.
- Eucalyptol: A monoterpene with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that eases one-sided headaches by decreasing inflammation and pain.
- β-Caryophyllene: A sesquiterpene with potent anti-inflammatory effects that mitigates one-sided headaches by reducing swelling and irritation.
- Camphene: A bicyclic monoterpene with analgesic properties that alleviates one-sided headaches by numbing pain.
- Bornyl acetate: A bicyclic monoterpene ester with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that soothes one-sided headaches by decreasing inflammation and pain.
The following recipe gives a procedure to make a basic lavender tea for one side headache.
- Boil 1 cup of water in a kettle or pot, which takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried lavender flowers or 1 lavender tea bag to a teapot or cup.
- Pour the boiling water over the lavender flowers or tea bag, allowing it to steep for 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the lavender flowers or tea bag and discard.
- Optionally, add honey or lemon to taste, then enjoy the soothing lavender tea to alleviate your headache.