Next time your head begins to throb, reach for a drink for headache relief instead of a pill bottle. Try these drinks for tension headaches and migraine attacks for a more delicious way to feel better.
All headaches are not created equal. With tension headaches, caffeine headaches, sinus headaches, hangover headaches, and full-blown migraine attacks, the causes and symptoms vary from headache to headache and person to person. If you are one of the millions of people who are prone to headaches or migraine attacks, these drinks for headaches may help stop the pain and nausea.
The symptoms of a migraine or headache can be wide-ranging and debilitating. Sensitivity to light, sound, and smell; nausea, vomiting, and constipation; brain fog and head pain are all ways migraine attacks bring you down and ruin your day. Luckily, you may not need to treat milder headaches with an expensive medication or a prescription. Often, you can find relief right in your own kitchen with these drinks for headaches.
Most migraine attacks are severe enough that doctors will recommend migraine-specific prescription medication, such as a triptan, to abort an attack. Triptans are highly effective, but people are often reluctant to take them. If you are one of the many people who get frequent migraine attacks or headaches, taking more pills than the recommended amount can actually make them worse. Natural alternatives, like these 11 drinks for headaches, can bring you relief and help you save money and medication.
These drinks are safe with few or no side effects, too, so you do not have to worry about feeling worse before you feel better. Staying hydrated during a headache or migraine is crucial, and these drinks all help with hydration while treating symptoms.
If you do get migraine attacks, keep your food triggers in mind. Certain ingredients like almonds, citrus, and bananas (marked with an asterisk below) can be triggers for some people occasionally.
Good Old-Fashioned Water
Dehydration leads to a world of hurt for those of us with headaches. Headaches and migraine attacks thrive on dehydration, so drinking enough water every single day is super important to prevent them.
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Drinking water during a headache or migraine attack can help it from worsening, and can make it go away if it was caused by dehydration. If you have a hard time drinking that much plain water, try infusing it with fruit like mango or strawberries. (Editor's note: there has been a lot of hype on Tik Tok that drinking salt water will cure your migraine. It won't. And consuming a lot of salt isn't healthy. However, if you're especially dehydrated, perhaps due to vomiting, you can consider a sports drink to replace electrolytes.) Migraine Again has even more tips for staying hydrated and headache free.
Almond Milk
Almonds* are high in magnesium, one of the most important minerals for people with migraine. A 2011 study showed that magnesium can help prevent migraine attacks and may help treat them as well. A handful of almonds is another good choice, but drinking a glass of almond milk is an even easier way to get a dose of magnesium to stop an attack. Almond milk doubles as a dehydration fighter, and it tastes great in fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies.
Feverfew Tea
Steep feverfew leaves in hot water to create your own tea. For even more headache relief and a dose of prevention, add some almond milk and a spoonful of honey. Feverfew has anti-inflammatory properties that can help relieve a headache, and feverfew can also prevent migraine attacks.
In studies, 50 milligrams (mg) of feverfew taken daily was shown to prevent migraine attacks, although it may take months to see the full effects, according to the National Headache Foundation.
Cayenne Pepper in Warm Water
The compound in cayenne that makes it spicy, called capsaicin, dulls one of the neurotransmitters responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. Some studies show that it can relieve cluster headaches or migraine attacks, especially when applied directly to the skin. Drinking cayenne may help, too, so try sprinkling a little bit in warm water next time you feel a migraine coming on.
Liquid Fish Oil
Fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids, powerful anti-inflammatories that deliver a powerhouse of strength to your heart and brain. A study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that those who consume fish oil are less likely to suffer from heart attacks and strokes. Fish oil can even help preserve memory and prevent decline in brain function. Omega-3s for migraine pain are backed by science.
Warm Lemon Water
Drinking warm lemon* water after waking up is an ancient health custom. The lemon is high in vitamin C and helps the body cleanse itself from the inside out. The citric acid kick-starts the digestive system, which can slow down during a migraine attack. Add a spoonful of honey for an even more delicious and nourishing drink.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is another ancient remedy. It has been used to soothe an upset or nauseous stomach, as it can relax nerves and muscle spasm in the gut. Because the gut and brain are intimately connected, an upset stomach is common during a migraine attack. Calming the stomach with peppermint tea, delicious both iced and hot, can help soothe an aching head, too.
Ginger Tea
Ginger is another ancient remedy for an upset stomach and is one of the most popular drinks for headaches and migraine attacks. It can be easily brewed into a tea, delicious on its own or with honey.
In 2014, Phytotherapy Research published an article exploring ginger for migraine relief. They found ginger to be as effective as sumatriptan, a commonly prescribed triptan, when it comes to reducing migraine pain. Ginger is safe to use in reasonable amounts and is worth a try for inexpensive and simple migraine relief. If you don't want a hot drink, try this pear ginger smoothie to settle an upset stomach.
Green Juice
A green juice is a fantastic way to give your body a large dose of all the vitamins and minerals it needs to fight a migraine. From calcium to magnesium to B vitamins, juices are loaded with vitamins that are known to tame headaches. For our Migraine Again Founder Paula's Potent Migraine Pain Relief Shake recipe, click here.
Healing Homemade Ginger Ale
You can make your own, healthier version of ginger ale at home to help you stay hydrated and find migraine relief. Ginger does double duty for nausea and headache relief. Homemade sodas do not have the additives or sweeteners that store-bought ones do that might trigger migraine attacks in some people. Making soda at home gives you complete control of the ingredients and the flavor.
Watermelon and Cucumber Smoothie With Honey and Mint
The ingredients in this smoothie are full of vitamins and minerals. Watermelons are rich in water, magnesium, and potassium, which help reduce brain fog and increase focus. Honey contains many minerals that aid in blood vessel relaxation, which promotes the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.
Final Thoughts
The next time you’re trying to stay hydrated to help a headache or a migraine attack, reach for one of these drinks. They help bust dehydration and may come with an added benefit of headache or nausea relief. Stock up on your favorites so you don’t have to travel farther than your kitchen to help your headache.
Do you have a sure fire drink that helps ease your headache or migraine attack? Share it with others in our Tippi community!
Please Note: Certain ingredients identified with an asterisk (*) are reported as migraine triggers by some patients. Migraine food triggers are a very personal thing — learn more here. If you think you're sensitive, please make a substitution.
