Herbs To Prevent Headaches

Headaches are a serious health concern for countless people. Some just suffer through the pain, but many need to find relief in order to function. Prescription drugs often have side effects that sound worse than the problem they are meant to treat. Herbs to prevent headaches are an effective solution for those who don't want to risk those side effects.

Ginger

Ginger, often in the form of tea, is a useful herb to prevent headaches. It is commonly used for stomach issues, which may also be helpful with headaches that lead to nausea. Tension headaches may be treated best with ginger because this herb has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used to treat headaches related to PMS.
To treat headaches, drink three cups of ginger tea a day. Ginger tea may seem a bit spicy if it is steeped long enough, so you may want to sweeten it with honey. You can also add ginger to many dishes, such as stir fry or various Indian foods. Ginger is available as a whole root, pickled, or in capsule and pill form. A whole root can be peeled and then grated or chopped, and used however you like in your favorite foods.

St. John's Wort

St. John's wort, commonly recognized as a natural antidepressant, is another helpful herb for preventing headaches. People are not always aware of its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory capabilities. It is especially useful in treating tension headaches. St. John's wort interrupts certain metabolic pathways that become active during a tension headache. It also helps to increase blood circulation.
This herb may interact with some medications, so if you use prescription drugs, discuss St. John's wort with your doctor before taking it for your headaches. St. John's wort can be taken as a pill, oil or tincture.

Feverfew

Feverfew has long been considered an important herb for treating frequent headaches such as migraines. Its effectiveness is thanks to its ability to reduce serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin causes blood vessels to constrict, which is often a cause of headache pain.
The best way to take feverfew is in capsule form. Other forms may trigger allergies. Feverfew should not be taken if you are pregnant or nursing a baby because it can cause contractions and can be passed through breast milk.

Butterbur

Butterbur is another herb that prevents blood vessels from constricting. It is also an anti-inflammatory. These qualities make it valuable in preventing headaches. According to Bastyr University, an effective dose for headache prevention is 50 to 75 mg, twice a day. Try the lower dose first. If you do not see improvement, increase the dose.
It is wise to use butterbur under the guidance of your doctor or a skilled herbalist, because on rare occasions it has been found to cause liver damage. To protect your liver, only use butterbur supplements that are labeled "PA-free." These have been processed properly to remove the pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are harmful to the liver.