Does peppermint tea help with headaches?

How to treat headaches with peppermint tea?

Does peppermint tea help with headaches?

Most people consume tea for various reasons, which may include relieving stress, addiction, morning routine, initiating bowel movements, treating headaches, weight loss management, and more. There are a large variety of teas, and every single one of them has its use. Normal tea or regular teas have some caffeine in them, while herbal teas on the other hand don’t have any caffeine in them, and are completely harmless in the long run too.

One such herbal tea is peppermint tea, which is mainly used to treat headaches. There are other benefits of drinking peppermint tea, such as fresh breath, better digestion, more energy, lowers pain during menstrual cramps, and fights certain infections too.

Peppermint tea is native to Asia and Europe. For the past few centuries, it has been used as a medicine and flavoring agent in food. It is also used in modern-day products such as toothpaste, soaps, and shampoos. Apart from health benefits, it tastes good too.

There is not much research on Peppermint tea, it still is effective in treating headaches. Peppermint is rich in menthol and menthol has a cooling sensation that helps ease up the tension, and headache pain when applied to the areas of pain. And it almost does the same when you drink peppermint tea.

How peppermint tea helps in headache?

When we have a headache, the blood vessels in our head are constricted, and that is the reason we feel pain and discomfort. When you consume peppermint tea, it dilates the blood vessels to their normal positions, and that relieves us from headaches, if not at least the severity. 

Peppermint tea has also been shown to be effective in relieving stress and calming your brain, so headaches caused due to stress and anxiety can be relieved in no time. Apart from this peppermint tea is anti-inflammatory, so it helps reduce inflammation and soothes pain.

How to use peppermint tea for headaches?

You can make peppermint tea like you make regular tea. Boil fresh water in a kettle, or pot. Then add a few leaves of peppermint or the peppermint tea bag, and let it steep on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. 

Now add a few 2 to 3 tablespoons of honey, if you like your tea to be sweet, stir it well, you can also add a few drops of lemon for extra flavor. And then sip your tea slowly and enjoy your drink. Then rest for a while, and do this process two to three times a day. 

Is peppermint tea good for headaches?

Yes, peppermint tea is good for headaches, and it is considered a good and natural way to get rid of headaches instead of using tablets or some other medicine. As mentioned above, peppermint tea allows the blood vessels to dilate in the head, which is constricted and makes your body calm and relaxed and reduces inflammation, thereby reducing the overall pain.

Peppermint tea vs chamomile tea for headaches

Both peppermint tea and Chamomile tea are used to soothe headaches. Although both teas have positive effects on headaches, they work differently. Peppermint tea relieves headaches related to stress, tension, and anxiety. And it also helps relieve muscle pain too. It helps improve blood circulation and reduce the further symptoms of headaches.

While Chamomile tea, on other hand is effective in treating headaches related to migraines. Chamomile is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. So when consumed, this reduces the inflammation in the body and soothes the pain. As a result, the severity and duration of the headaches are decreased.

5 Best Other tea to cure headaches

There are numerous teas to cure headaches, now let’s discuss the best teas among them.

1. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea is famous for its soothing properties. As mentioned earlier, it helps treat headaches related to migraines. It mainly helps reduce inflammation and soothe the pain.

2. Ginger tea

Ginger is one of the famous herbal teas, and it is used as herbal medicine for centuries. Ginger tea has also been shown to be effective in treating headaches. Apart from that it also boosts the immune system, and improves energy levels.

3. Clove tea

Clove is a pungent spice often used in Indian dishes. It is also an herbal tea, that helps reduce headaches and analgesic effects. Cloves are shown to be antiviral and antimicrobial fighting pathogens.

4. Turmeric tea

Turmeric tea is famous for its antibacterial properties. It contains Curcumin and when consume has neuroprotective effects that help fight migraine and pains caused by headaches.

5. Lavender tea

Lavender is known for its smooth and soft scent. Apart from that it is used in herbal medicine to treat various problems. Lavender tea is also believed to reduce headaches and also treat anxiety and depression.

Take Away

So next time you get a headache, peppermint tea is your first option. Get relaxed and stress-free with one cup of peppermint tea. Take rest and the headache is gone for sure. If you are getting headaches on a regular basis then it's highly recommended to consult your health care professional.

FAQs

Does Indian tea help with headaches?

Yes, Indian teas help treat headaches but not every one of them treats headaches. Clove tea, ginger tea, masala tea, and a few other shown to be effective in treating headaches.

Can chamomile tea get rid of headaches?

Yes, chamomile tea can be used to get rid of headaches. Chamomile teas are shown to be effective in making your mind calm and relaxed and then treating headaches caused by infections, allergies, and many more.

Is chai tea good for migraines?

Yes, chai tea is said to be good for migraines. Chai tea is said to have anti-inflammatory properties, which as a result can soothe pain and inflammation in the body, ultimately leading to the relief of headaches.

References

Have a Headache? Try these teas. By Healthline, Mar 8, 2019.

Health benefits of peppermint tea. By Medical News Today, May 22, 2019.

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