Herbs to fight headaches

[Growem]

Ginger is supposed to be helpful for migraines as well. If you can bring yourself to chew it raw, or candied ginger, or even strong ginger tea. Not really easy to grow, though I did it in a pot inside once.

[Polly Fouracre]

If you can't fancy feverfew leaves which are bitter you can get tablets. Smelling rosemary sometimes stops a headache developing.

[Eyren]

I thought lavender was a sedative? I have some lavender and chamomile teabags at home (a bit weird, but quite nice once you get used to them!).

Feverfew is quite pretty - almost worth growing for that reason alone!

[nomad]

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)

i did get migraleve off the doctors but still no good. i have had these headaches for more years than i can remember i just have to live with them but i am up for trying anything. i have just ordered fevefew seeds so i will try them

[Herbie]

I used to suffer from really bad migraines to the point where I was taking preventative meds every day. I didn't want to stay on the meds so I came off them and a friend suggested fever few. I haven't looked back, I brought the capsules from holland and barratt and took these instead. No more migraines. You can take them as a preventative or when a migraine comes on. They cut the pain in half and reduce the symptoms. 100% herbal and highly recommended. I don't take them anymore as I haven't had a migraine for roughly 2 years. They worked for me. I have also grown fever few, but not used it in tea. I used to try all pain killers none were very good, used to take days to get over the affects of the migraine, my sister still gets them. If really bad try synodol, pretty heavy duty, only need to take one tablet but definetely help if you don't fancy fever few.

[Eco-Chic]

Recent school of thought suggests that daily painkillers cause headaches (not migraine) so alternative remedies should be encouraged. The reason for the headaches should be investigated too.

[Glutton4...]

I used to get Migraines, caused by stress. A day in bed in the dark would cure it, followed by dark glasses for the next few days, but I'd still feel like I'd been hit by a truck!

Never tried any remedies other than a couple of paracetamol, which didn't seem to work. Never thought of Feverfew - strange as I had loads of it in my last garden.

Just a word of caution if you're going to grow some, if left to seed you'll never get rid of it! I used to pull all the flower buds off, but always missed some and ended up with it everywhere.

Good luck, I hope it works for you.

[Capsid]

Recent school of thought suggests that daily painkillers cause headaches (not migraine) so alternative remedies should be encouraged. The reason for the headaches should be investigated too.

Really?? Where did you read that?

[maddles]

Just a word of warning; feverfew leaves taste bitter. Some people recommend putting them in a sandwich to counter that.

As mentioned they self seed extremely well, you'll find them coming up all over the place once you have one plant.

There's some more information here with a recipe for a migraine tea:

3.2 Herbs for migraines. | Henriette's Herbal Homepage

and this site has some information as well:

Plant Medicine homepage

This page looks the most useful:
Triggers of Migraines – Why You Should Know Yours, Migraine, Headache, Holisticonline

Hope these help

[BrideXIII]

sorry going to have to slap a few hands here, and i make no apologies for it either.

when recommending herbal remedies can you PLEASE check.

yes feverfew is a great remedy for headaches and migraines, but.... you don't 'chuck it in a cheese sarnie' because it 'tastes a bit bitter'........... it can BURN the inside of your mouth, not sting a little bit, BURN!!

feverfew should be taken, no more than two leaves in a sandwich using butter, so that the oils in the leaves do not come in contact with the mouth or throat etc, until they reach the stomach and are digested.

I am not in the habit of lecturing,but when it comes to natural remedies, it is wise to remember that just because something is 'natural' doesn't make it safe.

[Two_Sheds]

(overuse of) painkillers cause headaches

Really?? Where did you read that?

here: Medication Headache Medication Overuse Headache

and here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...inkillers.html

[Naga]

Have you tried munching on a fresh chilli? The capsaicin (the stuff that makes your mouth burn) in chilli's has been shown to reduce the levels of Substance P which is a neurotransmitter related to the sensation of pain. I do not know the quantity of chilli's you need to eat nor how hot they are supposed to be but maybe you could try chopping on a Birds Eye or maybe a Jalapeño and see what happens?

[nomad]

well i have got the feverfew growing well, does it matter how old the leaves are before you eat them? i really do hope this works!!!

[Snadger]

Have you tried munching on a fresh chilli? The capsaicin (the stuff that makes your mouth burn) in chilli's has been shown to reduce the levels of Substance P which is a neurotransmitter related to the sensation of pain. I do not know the quantity of chilli's you need to eat nor how hot they are supposed to be but maybe you could try chopping on a Birds Eye or maybe a Jalapeño and see what happens?

Don't know about losing the headache but you may lose the feeling in your mouth!

[Snadger]

Ginger is supposed to be helpful for migraines as well. If you can bring yourself to chew it raw, or candied ginger, or even strong ginger tea. Not really easy to grow, though I did it in a pot inside once.

Good for sea sickness as well.....aparrently!