Headaches are characterized by mild to severe pain in the head and neck and may be caused by a number of factors, including stress and fatigue. For some women, hormonal changes occurring before and after menstruation can trigger a headache, sometimes referred to as a hormonal headache. Taking over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin and resting is usually enough to alleviate a hormonal headache. Drinking tea prepared from certain herbs might also help to prevent headaches, although studies evaluating the effects of herbal tea on hormonal headaches specifically are lacking. Talk to your doctor before using herbs.
Featured Herb
An example of an herb sometimes used to prevent headaches is feverfew. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, feverfew, a member of the sunflower family, may help to reduce the duration and frequency of headaches. The leaves of the feverfew plant contain a number of active compounds, including terpenoids, volatile oils and flavonols. However, one compound in particular, known as parthenolide, is likely responsible for feverfew's therapeutic effects and may work by helping to reduce muscle spasms and improving blood flow to the brain.
Administration
Although feverfew is more commonly taken in tablets or capsules, you can prepare a tea by steeping feverfew leaves in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture and consume. Ask a qualified herbalist how much feverfew you should use to prepare the tea and how many cups a day you should drink to help prevent a hormonal headache.
Effectiveness
Studies evaluating the efficacy of feverfew as a treatment for hormonal headaches, specifically, are lacking. In addition, most studies evaluating the effects of feverfew on headaches have used feverfew in tablet rather than tea form. However, the results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, published in the November 2005 issue of "Cephalagia," show that feverfew extract helps to reduce the frequency of migraine headaches, compared to placebo.
Safety Considerations
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that feverfew may cause side effects, including abdominal pain, flatulence, nausea, vomiting and nervousness. It may also cause an allergic reaction in some people. Do not take feverfew tea if you are allergic to members of the same family such as ragweed and chamomile. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that feverfew tea may also cause mouth ulcers. Feverfew may have anticoagulant effects so do not use it if you have a bleeding disorder or alongside anticoagulants. Do not drink feverfew tea if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
References
- Netdoctor: Headaches; Dr. Carl J Brandt, et al.; June 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Feverfew
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Feverfew
- "Cephalagia"; Efficacy and Safety of 6.25 mg t.i.d. Feverfew CO2-Extract (MIG-99) in Migraine Prevention--A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicentre, Placebo-Controlled Study; H.C. Diener, et al.; November 2005
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