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Home Remedy Tea For A Migraine

Migraines hurt. These intense super-headaches are often debilitating and bring along a host of other bodily aches and pains. While prevention and education can help reduce their occurrence, management is the only option for someone already in the throes of a migraine. Tea is an easy home remedy that often utilizes the same chemicals found in commercial, over-the-counter migraine medication.

  1. What is a migraine?

    • A migraine is essentially a really bad, often reoccurring headache. While nausea, cramps and light sensitivity often accompany the condition, the head throbbing and pain is the predominant symptom. In severe cases, a person may have weakness, confusion, and vision problems just before the headache hits full-force. Some doctors believe the condition is caused by chemical or electrical problems in key areas of the brain, along with blood flow changes, although alternate theories exist. Stress, diet, activity, and other lifestyle factors can cause migraines, although genetic factors seem to be the strongest indicators of susceptibility.

    Tea

    • Black and wintergreen teas are widely thought to ease the pain of a migraine. Boil water in preparation, but only at tea bags, tea balls, or loose tea just after it stops boiling, as this will maximize the amount of chemicals absorbed by the water. Allow the tea to seep for three to four minutes or longer. Ginger tea and chamomile can help ease an upset or cramped stomach, a symptom which often exacerbates the headache. Tea should be stored out of the light in a cool place.

    Why it works

    • Most home remedies for migraines involve caffeine or other substances that stimulate the nervous system. This reduces overall pain. In fact, many over-the-counter migraine medicines include caffeine unto this end. The mechanisms by which non-caffeinated teas affect migraines are diverse. Wintergreen, for instance is thought to form salicylic acid (Aspirin) once inside the body, which reduces overall pain.

      Note that the use of these medications can themselves exacerbate a headache if a heavy user suddenly discontinues use. As such, it's best to wean one's self off of them slowly, over a prolonged period of time. Also, it should be recognized that teas treat the acute symptoms of migraines, not the migraines themselves. They are a part of migration management, not prevention.

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