Headaches: Causes, Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Preparations

A headache is a common and complex medical condition characterized by pain or discomfort in the head, neck, or scalp, often accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound.

The causes of headaches are multifaceted, including stress, muscle tension, dehydration, hormonal changes, and certain foods or substances. Prolonged or frequent headaches can lead to sleep disturbances, digestive problems, and decreased productivity, negatively impacting overall health and well-being. To alleviate headaches, herbal remedies such as feverfew, ginger, and peppermint can be used in teas, tinctures, or topical preparations.

However, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional before using medicinal herbs, especially if you have underlying medical conditions or take prescription medications, as they may interact or exacerbate the issue.

This article explains in detail what are the causes of headaches, what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results.

What are the main causes of headaches?

The main causes of headaches are multifaceted and can be attributed to a combination of factors, including dehydration, which affects the brain's ability to function properly, with studies indicating that up to 90% of headaches are linked to dehydration.

Tension and stress are also significant contributors, with research suggesting that 80-90% of headaches are caused by muscle tension and stress. Other common causes include overuse or misalignment of the neck muscles, known as cervical spine abnormalities, which can lead to cervicogenic headaches. Hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during menstruation or menopause, can also trigger headaches in some individuals.

Furthermore, underlying medical conditions like sinus infections, migraines, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can also lead to headaches.

• Tension: Tension headaches are caused by muscle contractions in the neck and scalp, often resulting from stress, anxiety, or poor posture.
• Migraine: Migraines are a neurological disorder that causes headaches due to abnormal brain activity, leading to blood vessel dilation and pain in the head and neck.
• Sinus: Sinus headaches are caused by inflammation and congestion in the sinuses, often due to allergies, colds, or sinus infections.
• Dehydration: Dehydration headaches are caused by a lack of fluids in the body, leading to contraction of blood vessels and increased pain sensitivity.
• Eye Strain: Eye strain headaches are caused by prolonged use of computers, smartphones, or other digital devices, leading to eye fatigue and muscle strain.
• Hormonal: Hormonal headaches are caused by fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which can affect blood vessels and lead to headaches.
• Food: Food headaches are caused by sensitivities or intolerances to certain foods, such as gluten, sugar, or caffeine, which can trigger inflammation and pain in the head.
• Sleep: Sleep headaches are caused by lack of sleep, sleep disorders, or poor sleep quality, leading to fatigue, stress, and increased pain sensitivity.
• Medication: Medication headaches are caused by side effects of certain medications, such as pain relievers, which can lead to rebound headaches and increased pain sensitivity.
• Injury: Injury headaches are caused by direct trauma to the head or neck, leading to inflammation, pain, and muscle strain.
• Infection: Infection headaches are caused by bacterial or viral infections, such as meningitis or encephalitis, which can lead to inflammation and pain in the head and neck.

What are the primary medicinal plants used for headaches?

The main medicinal herbs used for headaches are Foeniculum vulgare, Valeriana officinalis, Achillea millefolium, Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Mentha x piperita, Melissa officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, Cinchona officinalis, Cinnamomum verum.

Foeniculum vulgare, containing estragole and fenchone, exhibits analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing pain and inflammation. Valeriana officinalis has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress, common headache triggers, through its GABA-ergic effects. Achillea millefolium, containing flavonoids and terpenoids, displays anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, alleviating migraine symptoms.

Other herbs like Zingiber officinale, Ginkgo biloba, Mentha x piperita, Melissa officinalis, Lavandula angustifolia, Cinchona officinalis, and Cinnamomum verum have been traditionally used to relieve headache symptoms through various mechanisms, including vasodilation, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Foeniculum vulgare: Foeniculum vulgare is believed to help with headaches due to its anethole content, which has been shown to have a sedative effect and reduce inflammation.
• Valeriana officinalis: Valeriana officinalis is used to help with headaches due to its valerenic acid content, which has been found to have a sedative and anxiolytic effect, reducing stress and anxiety that may contribute to headaches.
• Achillea millefolium: Achillea millefolium, also known as yarrow, contains flavonoids and sesquiterpenes that have been found to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which may help alleviate headache pain and reduce inflammation.
• Zingiber officinale: Zingiber officinale, or ginger, contains compounds such as gingerols and shogaols that have been found to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with headaches.
• Ginkgo biloba: Ginkgo biloba may help with headaches due to its ability to improve blood flow and reduce inflammation, as well as its antioxidant properties, which can help protect against oxidative stress that may contribute to headache development.
• Mentha x piperita: Mentha x piperita, or peppermint, contains menthol, which has been found to have a cooling effect on the skin and may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with headaches.
• Melissa officinalis: Melissa officinalis, or lemon balm, contains rosmarinic acid that has been found to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress associated with headaches.
• Lavandula angustifolia: Lavandula angustifolia, or lavender, contains linalool and linalyl acetate that have been found to have a sedative and anxiolytic effect, reducing stress and anxiety that may contribute to headaches.
• Cinchona officinalis: Cinchona officinalis, or cinchona, contains quinine that has been found to have antimalarial and analgesic properties, which may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with headaches.
• Cinnamomum verum: Cinnamomum verum, or cinnamon, contains cinnamaldehyde that has been found to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, which may help reduce pain and inflammation associated with headaches.

What are the main herbal preparations used for headaches?

The main herbal preparations used for headaches are Tincture, Decoction, Capsule, Salve, Suppository, Cream, Ointment, Gel, Poultice, Elixir.

Tincture involves soaking herbs in a solvent to create a concentrated liquid extract that can be taken orally for rapid absorption of pain-relieving compounds like salicylic acid from willow bark. Decoction involves boiling herbs to create a liquid that can be taken orally or applied topically to relieve tension and ease pain. Capsules contain dried, powdered herbs that can be taken orally for a sustained release of pain-relieving compounds like feverfew.

Salve, Suppository, Cream, Ointment, Gel, and Poultice preparations are applied topically to relieve muscle tension, reduce inflammation, and ease pain in the scalp, neck, and face.

• Tincture: A tincture of the herb Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) helps with headaches by reducing inflammation and relieving migraine symptoms due to its sesquiterpene lactone content.
• Decoction: A decoction of the herb Willow Bark (Salix alba) helps with headaches by relieving pain due to the presence of salicin, a compound that is metabolized to salicylic acid, a natural pain reliever.
• Capsule: A capsule containing the herb Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) helps with headaches by reducing inflammation and relieving migraine symptoms due to its sesquiterpene lactone content and flavonoids.
• Salve: A salve made from the herb Peppermint (Mentha piperita) helps with headaches by relieving tension and easing muscle spasms through its menthol content.
• Suppository: A suppository of the herb Willow Bark (Salix alba) helps with headaches by delivering salicin directly to the site of pain and relieving migraine symptoms.
• Cream: A cream containing the herb Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) helps with headaches by reducing inflammation and relieving migraine symptoms due to its sesquiterpene lactone content.
• Ointment: An ointment made from the herb Willow Bark (Salix alba) helps with headaches by relieving pain due to the presence of salicin, a compound that is metabolized to salicylic acid, a natural pain reliever.
• Gel: A gel containing the herb Peppermint (Mentha piperita) helps with headaches by relieving tension and easing muscle spasms through its menthol content.
• Poultice: A poultice made from the herb Willow Bark (Salix alba) helps with headaches by relieving pain and reducing inflammation due to the presence of salicin, a compound that is metabolized to salicylic acid, a natural pain reliever.
• Elixir: An elixir of the herb Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) helps with headaches by reducing inflammation and relieving migraine symptoms due to its sesquiterpene lactone content.