Herbs to fight headaches

[nomad]

can anyone tell what are good herbs to grow to help with the headaches i suffer from either to use as food or drink or smell please help.

[Snadger]

Feverfew is supposed to be good for migraine. Stick a few leaves in your cheese sarny if you feel a headache coming on!

[janeyo]

Lavender? Works for my mum but I don't really like the smell.

[Capsid]

What's wrong with aspirin? It was originally derived from willow bark.

[Gwen11ian]

I think I remember hearing something about using blackberry leaves. Might be worth researching.

[Snadger]

What's wrong with aspirin? It was originally derived from willow bark.

Doesn't aspirin rot your guts Capsid?

[Snadger]

I think I remember hearing something about using blackberry leaves. Might be worth researching.

I know blackberry leaves are good to bung you up if you have diahorea!

[Capsid]

Doesn't aspirin rot your guts Capsid?

It can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding so ibuprofen is the preferred analgesic.

[Growem]

There is a homeopathic rub that I have heard of that is basically peppermint essence. Oooh, I just remembered I have a book on herbs and healing! Hang on...

Okay, 5 pages of tight script on headaches, so I'm just skimming it here. It partly depends on the kind of headache you normally get. Essential oils of peppermint and eucalyptus, when diluted with alcohol and sponged on your forehead is apparently supposed to help. Chilies can also help! (these to be eaten, not rubbed on your head) Feverfew is also suggested (again, eaten) and her personal favourite is cold compresses with a few drops of lavender essential oil.

[Two_Sheds]

It can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding so ibuprofen is the preferred analgesic.

But you shouldn't take ibuprofen if you're asthmatic.

[Two_Sheds]

Nomad, I always try and work out the cause before I seek a cure - do you know what triggers your headaches?

Dehydration/caffeine/bright light?

I get migraines every March ... I think it is the brighter daylight (everything else has been tested for, and they disappear in April)

[kentvegplot]

Agree with Snadger, feverfew - and it really easy to grow too.

[lainey lou]

Rosemary is good, brew up a tea with it, although don't drink too near bed time as it can be a stimulant. Also agree with feverfew.

[nomad]

thanks guys, i get headaches really easily with light,smells,noise,infact nearly anything!!! i will get some feverfew to try though. i prefer not to take painkillers they next to never work and i have asked the doctors but they jus say painkillers, lavender is good but too much of it keeps you awake.

[Two_Sheds]

thanks guys, i get headaches really easily with light,smells,noise,infact nearly anything!!! ... i prefer not to take painkillers they next to never work

It sounds like you're getting migraines, in which case ordinary painkillers (ibuprofen, paracetamol) won't have an effect.
Have you tried Migraleve? It's the only thing that works on mine (inc. feverfew)