Headaches can be caused by a variety of factors, such as muscle tension or with common illnesses such as the flu.

Migraines: Many people are turning to herbs like butterbur to help relieve and prevent migraine headaches. Butterbur,Petasites vulgarisisis used in Germany to treat migraines. Trials have shown that an extract of the root can reduce symptoms and attacks by 40 per cent. Butterbur is thought to work by reducing spasms in muscle tissues, including blood vessels. However, there are concerns about possible liver damage, so consult a herb-savvy health professional for any long term use. For home herbal use, first try non-invasive, and less toxic herbs for migraine headache cures like aromatherapy oils.

Using Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is therapeutic for headaches because of the duel actions of the analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and the relaxing calming effect the oils have on the mind. For sinus headaches, use a steam inhalation method to clear sinuses. Good choices would include rosemary, lavender and peppermint oil.

Herbs Used for Migraine Headache

Bay Laurel * Butterbur * Calamus * Cayenne Pepper * Coffee * Corydalis * Feverfew * Jamaican Dogwood * Kava-Kava * Lavender * Oregano * Peppermint * Rue * Skullcap * Valerian * White Peony * White Willow * Wood Betony *

Bay laurel For: Migraines
Profile	This familiar culinary herb, like feverfew, contains pathenolides. Try using bay in combination with feverfew to prevent migraine. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Cayenne For: Headaches
Profile	Massage a balm containing cayenne into your temples for headaches, or take encapsulated cayenne.

Coffee For: Headaches
Profile	Doctors at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, Illinois, have found that the common painkiller, ibuprofen, is more active against tension headaches when combined with caffeine.

Corydalis For: Headaches, abdominal pain
Profile	In TCM, corydalis is a major pain reliever used particularly for menstrual cramping, gastric and abdominal pain, and headaches. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Feverfew For: Migraines
Profile	Its best documented use is in preventing and alleviating migraines. A phytochemical called pathenolide most likely is responsible, but don't discount the value of other natural compounds in the plant James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Feverfew For: Migraines, allergies
Profile	Feverfew herb is most likely to be helpful for migraine sufferers who also have allergies or asthma. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Feverfew For: Migraine
Profile	Sesquiterpene lactones in feverfew may inhibit prostaglandins and histamine released during the inflammatory process, so preventing spasms of blood vessels in the head that trigger migraine attacks..also important in the inflammation and pain of arthritis, promoting restful sleep, improving digestion, and relieving asthma attacks. Feverfew users involved in clinical studies reported that feverfew helped their depression. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Jamaican Dogwood For: Migraine and neuralgia
Profile	Jamaican Dogwood is considered a relatively powerful remedy for migraine and neuralgia.

Kava-Kava For: Tension headaches
Profile	Phytochemicals called kavaloactones provide kava's gentle stress-beating, muscle-relaxing influence. Great for tension headaches James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Lavender oil, rosemary oil For: Nervous headache
Profile	For headaches apply a few drops of lavender oil neat to the temples. A few drops of lavender rubbed on the temple will cure a nervous headache.. Combine with rosemary and juniper oils and apply to the back of the neck and shoulders, and massage until the muscles relax. Lavender herb teas should be used in combination with melissa (lemon balm) and skullcap.

Linden For: Nervous stomach,headaches
Profile	Linden is mildly sedating and was used by Native Americans for treating nervous stomach and headaches.

Oregano Leaf For: Nervous headache
Profile	An infusion made from the fresh plant will relieve nervous headache

Peppermint essential oil For: Headache
Profile	A few drops of peppermint essential oil in a cold compress across the forehead or over the back of the neck cools the body

Rue For: Sciatica
Profile	Externally, Rue is an active irritant, being employed as a rubefacient. If bruised and applied, the leaves will ease the severe pain of sciatica. The expressed juice, in small quantities, was a noted remedy for nervous nightmare, and the fresh leaves applied to the temples are said to relieve headache. Compresses saturated with a strong decoction of the plant, when applied to the chest, have been used beneficially for chronic bronchitis. If a leaf or two be chewed, a refreshing aromatic flavour will pervade the mouth and any nervous headache, giddiness, hysterical spasm, or palpitation will be quickly relieved. Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Vol 1 (1931)

Skullcap For: Irritability, or headache
Profile	Skullcap also treats the symptoms of emotional excess "rising" in the body to cause blushing, flushing, irritability, or headache.

Valerian For: Headaches, nerve tonic
Profile	Valerian is effective as an nerve tonic, and as a remedy for headaches and pain

Wood Betony For: Headache
Profile	The dried herb may also be smoked to relieve headache, and is a component of British Herb Tobacco

Migraine Headache Information

• Neuralgia :
  Herbal alternative treatments can bring some relief, but you may also wish to explore acupuncture and acupressure treatments.
• Toothache/Earache :
  Home remedies for tooth pain, earaches and tooth and gum problems. Learn what really works.
• Aches & Pains :
  Before you reach for over-the counter pain relievers, which have been shown to have negative side effects, try some of these natural solutions.