Getting a headache can be the result of several factors: tension, lifestyle changes, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, nutritional deficiencies, environmental factors (bright lights, loud sounds, weather, etc.), food, smells, and so on.
For many, having a headache is debilitating and can take hours or even days to get rid of. There are plenty of over-the-counter pills / medicine(s) one could take to ease or relieve the symptoms associated with a headache. However, what most people don't realize or want to believe is that using these medicines, if used frequently and improperly, can cause health issues down the road, including (but not limited to) stomach ulcers, liver damage, and reduced kidney functions.
With that being said, if you're like me, and want a more natural way of healing and simply love tea, this concoction (see below) is a go-to for when a headache has you down. Not only does this tea taste delicious, the ingredients together will help reduce / relieve your headache, no matter the cause, and will put your mind and body at ease.
Tea Ingredients (pictured from left to right):
Chamomile, Lavender, Peppermint, and Feverfew
(Not pictured: Feverfew - looks a lot like Chamomile)
These ingredients are commonly found in medical herb gardens and are very easy to grow. Should you not have these herbs readily available, they can be purchased from Shop Herbally.
Chamomile
Chamomile is very easy to grow at home and requires little attention once established in your garden. Once the petals have begun to droop (or fall back) from the middle of the flower, snip the flower from the stem and let dry. The benefits of chamomile include:
Sedative and tranquilizing properties (good for headache relief)
Relaxes muscles in your face
Soothes your skin
Ideal steam for blisters or blemished / irritated skin
Kills bacteria that lives on the skin (helps keep acne under control)
Reduces redness and inflammation
Helps the healing of wounds
Lavender
Lavender can be a little difficult to grow from seeds, however, it is easy to find at most garden centers or nurseries. Once established, it is easy to maintain and take care of. When harvesting for tea, you'll want fresh lavender buds and flowers (remove from the stem). The benefits of lavender include:
Helps increase blood circulation
Reduces stress
Has a relaxing and calming effect
Has antioxidants, which can detox the skin and reduce inflammation
Has antimicrobial properties, which are suitable for healing skin
Treating (and healing!) acne
Can soothe and ultimately heal a sunburn
Help control dry skin-related ailments - i.e. eczema, dermatitis and psoriasis
Can take the itch away from a bug bite
Peppermint Leaf
If you grow your own at home, you'll want to pick the dark green and more fragrant leaves. The benefits of peppermint include:
Headache relief
Boosts energy levels
Reduces stress
Helps relax muscles and ease pain
Relieves clogged sinuses
May relieve digestive problems such as an upset stomach, gas and bloating
Helps relieve menstrual cramps
Feverfew
Feverfew can grow in most all climates and depending on when you start the process (and the climate - more temperate vs harsh winters), it will either be an annual or a perennial flower. You will harvest feverfew just like you would chamomile. Fun fact, feverfew is also known as "False Chamomile" due to the fact that they look nearly identical and come from the same family of plants - the Asteraceae family (family of chrysanthemums). The benefits of feverfew include:
Headache and migraine relief
Helps relieve inflammation
Pain reliever
Acts as a fever reducer
Helps relieve joint pain
Stress and anxiety relief
Aids in promoting a healthy heart
Helps treat skin conditions and irritations
Gives relief from menstrual pain and bleeding
Take it from me, who has years of experience with severe headaches / migraines, this tea has become a life saver for me. Outside of the ingredients above, I like to add just a bit of honey to sweeten it up a little.
As always, if you enjoy this post, share it with your friends and if you have suggestions or want to learn more about a specific topic, drop me a note at jessica@herballyanointed.com.
NOTE: Please remember, the information contained here is for educational purposes only and isn't meant to treat, diagnose, prevent, or cure any disease. Before taking / using any of these items, please consult your doctor; especially if you're pregnant and/or taking any prescription medication.
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