Headache Relief

Headaches can have a variety of causes.  While the physical root of the problem is lack of blood flow to the brain, reasons can be hormonal, stress related, caused by poor posture, low blood sugar, food allergies, caffeine withdrawal, drugs, and more.

For a tension headache, place heat around the neck, such as with a heated neck wrap.  Try placing feet in cold water to increase blood flow to the brain.  Plus, a scalp massage can be helpful.  Essential oils like lavender or chamomile can be calming, and peppermint can open breathing.

Headache Relief Recipes

Easy Bay Tea Recipe

Feverfew Headache Relief Tea Recipe

Blog Articles

Peppermint to Relieve a Headache

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

GENERAL

• Botanicals were reviewed for their scientific research on treating headaches, and included feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), butterbur (Petasites hybridus), marijuana (Cannabis sativa), Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the Damask rose (Rosa damascena). From: Rajapakse, T., & Davenport, W. J. (2019). Phytomedicines in the treatment of migraine. CNS drugs, 33(5), 399-415.

CANNABIS / HEMP

• Botanicals were reviewed for their scientific research on treating headaches, and included feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), butterbur (Petasites hybridus), marijuana (Cannabis sativa), Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the Damask rose (Rosa damascena). From: Rajapakse, T., & Davenport, W. J. (2019). Phytomedicines in the treatment of migraine. CNS drugs, 33(5), 399-415.

CHAMOMILE

• Chamomile oil is a novel medicine for the relief of migraine pain.  From: Zargaran, A., Borhani-Haghighi, A., Faridi, P., Daneshamouz, S., Kordafshari, G., & Mohagheghzadeh, A. (2014). Potential effect and mechanism of action of topical chamomile (Matricaria chammomila L.) oil on migraine headache: A medical hypothesis. Medical hypotheses, 83(5), 566-569.
• In a randomized double-blind clinical trial with 72 migraine patients: pain, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, and phonophobia significantly decreased after 30 minutes of ingestion with the chamomile group. From: Zargaran, A., Borhani-Haghighi, A., Salehi-Marzijarani, M., Faridi, P., Daneshamouz, S., Azadi, A., … & Mohagheghzadeh, A. (2018). Evaluation of the effect of topical chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) oleogel as pain relief in migraine without aura: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Neurological Sciences, 39(8), 1345-1353.

CORIANDER

• In a study of 88 patients with migraine headaches, half the group received capsules with Viola odorata flowers, Rosa damascena flowers and Coriandrum sativum fruits three times a day for 4 weeks and had reduced headaches compared to the control group.  From:  Kamali, M., Seifadini, R., Kamali, H., Mehrabani, M., Jahani, Y., & Tajadini, H. (2018). Efficacy of combination of Viola odorata, Rosa damascena and Coriandrum sativum in prevention of migraine attacks: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Electronic physician, 10(3), 6430.
• In a randomized placebo controlled study with 68 migraine patients, a coriander fruit syrup (15 mL 3 times a day for one month) decreased duration, severity and frequency of migraines. From: Kasmaei, H. D., Ghorbanifar, Z., Zayeri, F., Minaei, B., Kamali, S. H., Rezaeizadeh, H., … & Mirzaei, Z. (2016). Effects of Coriandrum sativum syrup on migraine: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 18(1).

FEVERFEW

• Botanicals were reviewed for their scientific research on treating headaches, and included feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), butterbur (Petasites hybridus), marijuana (Cannabis sativa), Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the Damask rose (Rosa damascena). From: Rajapakse, T., & Davenport, W. J. (2019). Phytomedicines in the treatment of migraine. CNS drugs, 33(5), 399-415.
• In a 12 week double blind study of 147 patients with migraine headaches, three capsules a day of 6.25 mg of feverfew helped reduced symptoms.  A larger human study is warranted.  From:  Pfaffenrath, V., Diener, H. C., Fischer, M., Friede, M., & Henneicke‐von Zepelin, H. H. (2002). The efficacy and safety of Tanacetum parthenium (feverfew) in migraine prophylaxis—a double‐blind, multicentre, randomized placebo‐controlled dose–response study. Cephalalgia, 22(7), 523-532.
• In a double blind study of 60 patients, taking a daily dose of feverfew herbs reduced the symptoms of migraine headaches compared to the placebo with no serious side effects.  From:  Murphy, J. J., Heptinstall, S., & Mitchell, J. R. A. (1988). Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial of feverfew in migraine prevention. The Lancet, 332(8604), 189-192.
• In a study of 49 subjects with headaches, a blend of Tanacetum parthenium, Griffonia simpliciofila and magnesium reduced symptoms; more human studies are warranted.  From:  Zavarise, P., & Dalla Volta, G. (2017). A Combination of Tanacetum parthenium, Griffonia simplicifolia and Magnesium (Aurastop) as Symptomatic Acute Treatment for Migraine Aura: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Open Access Library Journal, 4(06), 1.
• A double-blind placebo controlled cross-over trial of 57 patients showed that feverfew caused a significant reduction in migraine pain intensity.   From:  Palevitch, D., Earon, G., & Carasso, R. (1997). Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) as a prophylactic treatment for migraine: a double‐blind placebo‐controlled study. Phytotherapy research, 11(7), 508-511.
• In a systemic review of six randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials of feverfew to treat migraines, it was considered safe and effective.  From:  Ernst, E., & Pittler, M. H. (2000). The efficacy and safety of feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.): an update of a systematic review. Public health nutrition, 3(4a), 509-514.
• In animal studies, partenolide was the constituent in feverfew that may reduce migraine headaches.  From:  Tassorelli, C., Greco, R., Morazzoni, P., Riva, A., Sandrini, G., & Nappi, G. (2005). Parthenolide is the component of tanacetum parthenium that inhibits nitroglycerin-induced Fos activation: studies in an animal model of migraine. Cephalalgia, 25(8), 612-621.
• A blend with feverfew and white willow taken for 12 weeks twice a day reduced migraine frequency, intensity, and duration in 12 patients.  From:  Shrivastava, R., Pechadre, J. C., & John, G. W. (2006). Tanacetum parthenium and Salix alba (Mig-RL®) Combination in Migraine Prophylaxis. Clinical drug investigation, 26(5), 287-296.

GINGER

• In a double blind placebo controlled study of 60 patients admitted to the emergency room for migraine headaches, the group who had 400 mg of ginger extract and an intravenous drug (100 mg of ketoprofen) showed more improved results compared to the group who just received ketoprofen. From: Martins, L. B., Rodrigues, A. M. D. S., Rodrigues, D. F., dos Santos, L. C., Teixeira, A. L., & Ferreira, A. V. M. (2019). Double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) addition in migraine acute treatment. Cephalalgia, 39(1), 68-76.

LAVENDER

• Inhalation of lavender essential oil may reduce migraine headaches. From:  Sasannejad, P., Saeedi, M., Shoeibi, A., Gorji, A., Abbasi, M., & Foroughipour, M. (2012). Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. European neurology, 67(5), 288-291.

PEPPERMINT

• Peppermint and eucalyptus oil improved cognitive ability and was mentally relaxing.  Peppermint also reduced headaches.  From:  Göbel, H., Schmidt, G., & Soyka, D. (1994). Effect of peppermint and eucalyptus oil preparations on neurophysiological and experimental algesimetric headache parameters. Cephalalgia, 14(3), 228-234.
• A menthol solution applied to the forehead and temporal area reduced the migraine headache pain. From:  Borhani Haghighi, A., Motazedian, S., Rezaii, R., Mohammadi, F., Salarian, L., Pourmokhtari, M., … & Miri, R. (2010). Cutaneous application of menthol 10% solution as an abortive treatment of migraine without aura: a randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, crossed‐over study. International journal of clinical practice, 64(4), 451-456.
• A 10% peppermint oil in ethanol solution efficiently alleviates tension-type headaches.  From:  Göbel, H., Fresenius, J., Heinze, A., Dworschak, M., & Soyka, D. (1996). [Effectiveness of Oleum menthae piperitae and paracetamol in therapy of headache of the tension type]. Der Nervenarzt, 67(8), 672-681.

ROSE

• Botanicals were reviewed for their scientific research on treating headaches, and included feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), butterbur (Petasites hybridus), marijuana (Cannabis sativa), Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the Damask rose (Rosa damascena). From: Rajapakse, T., & Davenport, W. J. (2019). Phytomedicines in the treatment of migraine. CNS drugs, 33(5), 399-415.
• In a double blind placebo controlled study of 40 patients with migraine headaches, a topical formulation containing Rosa damascena oil reduced pain, especially in those with “hot” type headaches.  From:  Niazi, M., Hashempur, M. H., Taghizadeh, M., Heydari, M., & Shariat, A. (2017). Efficacy of topical Rose (Rosa damascena Mill.) oil for migraine headache: A randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over trial. Complementary therapies in medicine, 34, 35-41.
• In a study of 88 patients with migraine headaches, half the group received capsules with Viola odorata flowers, Rosa damascena flowers and Coriandrum sativum fruits three times a day for 4 weeks and had reduced headaches compared to the control group.  From:  Kamali, M., Seifadini, R., Kamali, H., Mehrabani, M., Jahani, Y., & Tajadini, H. (2018). Efficacy of combination of Viola odorata, Rosa damascena and Coriandrum sativum in prevention of migraine attacks: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Electronic physician, 10(3), 6430.

ST. JOHN’S WORT

• Botanicals were reviewed for their scientific research on treating headaches, and included feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), butterbur (Petasites hybridus), marijuana (Cannabis sativa), Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and the Damask rose (Rosa damascena). From: Rajapakse, T., & Davenport, W. J. (2019). Phytomedicines in the treatment of migraine. CNS drugs, 33(5), 399-415.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Last Updated: 9/30/19