herbal Remedies for Headaches

This information was obtained through "The Herbal Drugstore" by Linda B. White, MD and Steven Foster

One of the things the book mentions is that not all headaches are created equal. There's tension headaches, migraines, cluster headaches and others such as sinus infections, depression, head injuries, etc.

Most doctors will prescibe analgesics, caffeine, triptans, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, to name a few.

Here's some of the herbal recommendations:

Feverfew (tanacetcum parthenium) Feverfew contains parthenolides, that inhibit the release fo the mood controlling brain chemicals from seotonin from blood cell patelets. That's why researchers believe it's prevents constriction of brain arteries. If you get feverfew from the store, such as a natural food store, it's what they call "standardized" which means that they isolate the chemical that provides the benefits. However, whether standardization is neccessary isn't clearn. For best results it's probably best to use the whole plant, the fresher the better.

Although you can eat the fresh leaves (one to four per day), they taste bitter and can produce mouth sores in some people. It's better to take it as a tea, or as capsules of freeze dried leaf.

Typical doses up to three 300- to 400- milligram capsules per day, or up to 2 average sized leaves per day, or 15 to 30 drops of ticture per day. (do not give to anyone who is pregnant) **NOTE: I believe we have a sticky that tells how to make a tincture, but if you're unsure how to do it, let me know**

Bay:
Just like feverfew, bay contains parthenolides. James Duke, Ph. D., author of "The Green Pharmacy" suggests using bay in combination with fever few to prevent migraines. A typical dose is not well established though.

Cayenne:

Capasaicin in cayenne blocks a chemical involved in the nerve transmission of pain. It's also rich in salicylates, which is a natural aspirin like compounds. At the first sign of a headache you can eat pepper spiked food, or swallow encapsulated cayenne. Another way to use cayenne is to massage a balm containing it to your temples, just be sure to wash you hands well with soap afterwards. (personally, I'm not sure I'd want to rub it on my temples because it's so close to the eyes) A typical dose would be up to three 400- to 500- milligram capsules per day, or 5 to 10 drops of tincture per day. For topical creams, follow manufactorers recommendations.

Ginger:
Lab studies show that it acts as an anti-inflammatory and decreases the tendency of platelets to clump together. It also contains a substance called 6-shogaol, which seems to act like the capsaicin in cayenne to decrease the pain. It also helps the nausea that comes with migraines. Combines well with tumeric, which is also an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Dosage up to eight 500- to 600- milligram capsules per day, or 10 to 20 drops of tincture in water three times per day, or 1/2 to 1 tsp of the ground root per day.

Peppermint:
The menthol in pepperment reduces pain as well as settles the stomach. Peppermint can be used internally as well as externally. You can brew a cup of peppermint tea and sip it while sitting in a batch spiked with 10 drops of the essential oil of peppermint. You can also rub peppermint oil on your temples, use about 2 drops of peppermint oil in a tsp of olive or almond oil to rub on your temples. NEVER use essential oils on the skin by themselves. Typical dosage, 6 to 12 drops of oil in water up to 3 times a day, or 10 to 20 drops of tincture in water per day, or 1 cup of tea as often as needed (steep 1 to 2 tsps of dried leaves in cup of hot water for 15 minutes). Do not take peppermint if you have heartburn or esophageal reflux and don't exceed recommended dosage of essential oil.

Willow:
The bark contains salicylates, a chemical close to the acetylasalicyclic acid in aspirin. Typical dosage, up to six 400- milligram capsules per day, or up to 3 cups of tea per day. (steep 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of powdered bark in 1 cup of hat water for 10 to 15 minutes)

Passionflower: Passionflower is a gentle relaxant and it's often used with other headache herbs to help relieve tension. Typical dose: 20 to 40 drops of tincture up to 4 times per day, or 1/3 cup of tea three times per day (steep 1/2 tsp of dried herb in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes)

Valerian:
More strongly sedating than passionflower and can make you sleepy, so use when you want to go to sleep despite a headache. Typical dosage, 300 to 400 milligrams of capsules standarized to 0.5 percent essential oil per day, or 20 to 30 drops of tincture per day. NOTE: do not give to pregnant women.

Hope this will help everyone.