Best Teas to Prevent and Relieve Migraine Headaches Naturally

The Connection Between Migraines and Tea

Migraines are extremely painful and debilitating headaches that affect millions of people worldwide. They can be accompanied by symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and sensitivity to light and sound. Finding natural remedies like tea to help prevent and treat migraines is an attractive option for many migraine sufferers who want to avoid taking prescription medications.

Certain compounds and ingredients in tea have shown potential to help with migraine relief. Tea contains caffeine, antioxidants, and other active substances that may have a positive impact on headaches. Some teas also help with relaxation, dehydration, inflammation, and digestion, which can be beneficial for migraine management.

How Tea Can Help With Migraines

Here are some of the ways different types of tea may be advantageous for migraines:

• Caffeine - Many teas contain caffeine, which constricts blood vessels in the brain. This can help relieve the pounding, pulsating pain of a migraine attack. Black tea has the highest caffeine content.
• Antioxidants - Antioxidants like flavonoids and catechins found in tea may help reduce inflammation that contributes to migraines. Green tea is packed with these antioxidants.
• Hydration - Staying hydrated is key for preventing headaches. Tea is mostly water so it can help you meet your daily fluid needs.
• Stress Relief - Tea has relaxing, calming properties that can alleviate stress, a common migraine trigger. Chamomile tea is excellent for stress reduction.
• Headache Relief - Ginger, peppermint, and feverfew tea have compounds that specifically act to relieve headache pain and pressure.
• Digestion - Tea can ease digestion issues like nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach that often accompany migraines. Peppermint and ginger tea are good options.

Best Teas for Migraine Relief

All types of tea have the potential to help lessen migraine frequency, severity, and symptoms. Here are some of the top teas to try:

1. Green Tea

Green tea is one of the most popular types of tea to drink for migraines. It contains two powerful antioxidants, EGCG and l-theanine, that may prevent and treat headaches.

EGCG reduces inflammation, while l-theanine increases GABA and dopamine production in the brain. This inhibits pain signals and improves mood. The small amount of caffeine in green tea constricts blood vessels too.

2. Ginger Tea

Ginger is well-known for its ability to ease nausea and vomiting, which makes it a great tea to sip during a migraine attack. It has anti-inflammatory properties to directly reduce headache pain.

Ginger improves circulation and relaxes tight muscles in the neck and head. The calming scent of ginger tea may also mitigate migraine triggers like stress.

3. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint tea opens up nasal passages and airways. This can relieve sinus pressure and tension headaches that feel like migraines.

Peppermint oil in the tea causes a cooling sensation that decreases headache pain. It also fights nausea and boosts digestion. The refreshing minty flavor is soothing.

4. Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is an herb that reduces stress and anxiety, both very common migraine triggers. The natural sedative properties create a tranquilizing effect on the body.

This tea contains apigenin, an anti-inflammatory compound that prevents migraines. Its also used to treat upset stomach and help you sleep, which further aids migraine management.

5. Lavender Tea

Lavender essential oil is renowned for alleviating headaches, and lavender tea harnesses these same properties. It quickly relieves pain while inducing relaxation.

This fragrant tea has a pleasant, soothing aroma from the lavender flowers. The act of sipping a hot cup of lavender tea is therapeutic and calming for the mind and body.

6. Black Tea

Black tea has significantly higher caffeine content than green tea, so its an excellent choice when you need quick headache and migraine relief.

It contains EGCG like green tea for an anti-inflammatory effect. Theophylline in black tea also dilates blood vessels in the brain to improve circulation and oxygenation, alleviating migraine symptoms.

7. Rosehip Tea

Rosehip tea is made from the fruit of rose bushes. Its high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that fights inflammation and oxidative stress that contributes to migraines.

This tea may prevent headaches by strengthening blood vessels in the brain. Rosehips also have analgesic properties to directly relieve head pain.

8. Feverfew Tea

Feverfew is an herb long used to prevent and treat migraine attacks. Drinking feverfew tea regularly can significantly lower the frequency and severity of headaches.

Parthenolide is the active compound in feverfew that prevents migraines by reducing swelling and constricting blood vessels.

How to Use Tea for Migraines

To maximize the migraine relief benefits from tea, follow these tips:

• Drink a cup as soon as you feel a migraine coming on to help alleviate symptoms.
• Sip tea slowly and when its a comfortable drinking temperature.
• Have a soothing hot or iced tea in the evenings to prevent headaches.
• Always brew tea fresh instead of drinking tea from tea bags that have been sitting.
• Alternate drinking different types of tea for migraines to get a variety of benefits.
• Dont add milk, cream or sweeteners that could counter the helpful effects.
• Make sure to stay hydrated by drinking water in addition to tea.

Other Lifestyle Tips for Migraine Relief

While drinking tea can be an effective part of an overall migraine treatment plan, its important to also focus on making healthy lifestyle changes to address migraine triggers.

Here are some additional ways to prevent headaches and find migraine relief:

• Get enough sleep and stick to regular sleep-wake cycles
• Exercise regularly to reduce stress
• Eat meals at consistent times and stay hydrated
• Limit alcohol, processed foods, and other triggers
• Reduce stress through yoga, meditation, or relaxation techniques
• Use essential oils like peppermint oil for instant headache relief
• Take magnesium, B2, or CoQ10 supplements to strengthen blood vessels
• Avoid strong smells, bright lights, and loud noises during migraines

Conclusion

Drinking certain teas can be an easy, inexpensive, and all-natural way to find much needed relief from debilitating migraine headaches. Green tea, ginger tea, peppermint tea, and chamomile tea are some of the best options.

The antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, hydrating properties, and soothing effects of tea can prevent migraines and alleviate symptoms during an attack. Making positive lifestyle changes in addition to sipping teas for migraines is key for overall headache management.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.