Navigating the Tea Aisle for Migraine Relief

By Alene Brennan

1 min read

Last updated: November 2022

There are a lot of health benefits to enjoying a cup of tea – especially if you’re in the migraine community. My favorite benefit is helping me to relax for a restful night's sleep!

However, navigating the tea aisle can be overwhelming. There are so many options – how do you know which is best?

Should I drink herbal or caffeinated tea?

If you’re like me, caffeine can be a big trigger of migraines, so I choose herbal tea. It’s naturally caffeine-free, unlike decaffeinated tea, which still has a low level of caffeine. I also like to choose calming teas like chamomile to enjoy at night or ginger to tea to settle any feelings of nausea if/when I do get a migraine.

During a migraine attack is one of the few times that caffeine may actually help. This can potentially help bring some relief. So, having one box of regular tea can be helpful to have on hand.

Are you a tea drinker? What’s your favorite tea?

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April.Sluder Moderator
I'm a big fan of green tea and chai tea <inline-mention user-id="3663804" username="Alene Brennan" class="bp-suggestions-mention"/> . I've never tried ginger tea but I think I need to get some to try for nausea. Wishing you a pain-free weekend. April - <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>Migraine.com</a> Team
1. mcadwell
 <inline-mention username="Alene Brennan" user-id="3663804"/>If you try the iced ginger tea remember you can add some mint to it. I like sweetening it with maple syrup. lol 
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="mcadwell" user-id="3825366"/> adding mint is a great idea! Thanks for sharing 😀
Melissa Arnold Admin
I tend to only drink hot teas if I've got a sore throat or are feeling especially anxious. I'm most anxious in the morning, so a warm cup of tea can be really soothing! Sleepytime Tea is my go-to because it's decaf and made with relaxation in mind ... although I did see a new product from Arizona yesterday when I went shopping. It's an iced tea, I believe it's called Rx Stress Tea (or similar) ... the label said it had valerian root in it, which I know from experience is a powerful calming herb. The only thing is that it came in a giant jug and I'm not ready to make that kind of commitment without trying it first! Haha.
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 Yes a warm cup of tea is very calming and a beautiful way to start or end your day - or perhaps both! In fact, I'm going to make a cup now 😀
MrCJF
I drink a pot of tea for breakfast every morning - regular black tea with milk. It gets rid of any mild headache. I have this tea throughout the morning. I switch to Rooibos (aka Redbush) after lunch, again with milk. Its a naturally cafiene free tea with a distinct taste. Its much easier to tolerate the lower caffeine in regular tea when I have a migraine, and it does help. Coffee tends to make me worse.
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 Thanks so much for sharing. Yes roobios is naturally caffeine free and can serve as a great alternative. Glad you're enjoying a tea that you enjoy and makes you feel good.
mcadwell
I loooove tea and drink all different kinds constantly - I just counted and have 18 different ones. lol My favorite is Earl Grey breakfast tea. I have some decaf brown tea and I bought some bergamot oil to use with that when my Earl Grey is gone. However, I've found coffee to help calm down my migraines, so I drink that too.
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 Wow you have quite the selection! That's fantastic. That's interesting that you add the bergamot oil in there too. I love bergamot oil but never tried it in tea. Thanks for the idea. We're grateful to have you part of this community. 😀
meshel71
I love tea. I drink it hot and iced, caffeinated or herbal. I probably have more than 2 dozen flavors... Earl Grey with lavender is my favorite, but I also love vanilla and other soothing flavors. I use peppermint and green to help calm a migraine and ginger for nausea. I can't drink teas containing camomile as it triggers a histamine response. It took some time for me to discover the reason why. Camomile is a cousin to ragweed, so having an allergy to ragweed, as I do, will also trigger a response from camomile.
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="ladymet117" user-id="3826287"/> that's awesome that you have a tea connoisseur in the family! Sounds like a fun tea date to have. Let us know how it goes and if you come up with any favorite teas that work best for you!
2. ladymet117
 <inline-mention username="Alene Brennan" user-id="3663804"/> I will! 👍😁
Overit
camomille and green
Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
Sounds delicious!
konditoralex
I tried the elimination & food allergy tests and I have no issues with tea, I've been drinking it my whole life. I usually have a cup or small pot of tea every morning and I've noticed that without it I actually get my daily migraine earlier in the day. When I'm having an attack I find that black tea with honey is helpful, I have a few dozen varieties of teas including: black (mostly), white, a few green some herbal and some oddities that friends from different countries have given to me. Chai is also at the top of the afternoon list and sometimes I'll drop some chocolate in there as well. I do find with nausea if I drink one of the mint tea varieties with honey it helps settle my stomach, is good for the throat and is relaxing. @
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="konditoralex" user-id="3793805"/> wow what an incredible opportunity to learn so much! It certainly was an early hour to wake, but it really sounds like you look back on it with gratitude for all that you learned and experienced! 
2. scottygs
 <inline-mention username="konditoralex" user-id="3793805"/> oh, I forgot to mention Chai! While having extensive therapy post-orthopedic surgery, a large cup of chai tea would be just the right thing to relax me entirely (including helping stave off my incipient migraine) on the way home in the car - with someone else driving of course. 😀
konditoralex
 My wife heard from someone at work that she's + and it turns out we are too! We've been lucky to not get sick since the start of the Pandemic, we still mask up whenever we are near people and I don't get out much anyway. We know that she brought it from work where she's a sonographer in a Free Pregnancy Clinic. We've taken so much grief about wearing masks (it's Florida) and We've explained that between Covid & Flu we are still staying safe. Lots of masks & hand sanitizer every time we go out the door. 
1. Melissa Arnold Admin
 <inline-mention username="konditoralex" user-id="3793805"/> How are you and your wife feeling? I too have been knocked flat for a week now and I am very ready to feel like myself again! Not sure if it's covid as I've already had it twice, but there are so many nasty bugs getting around this season. I hope you're well on your way to recovery by now! -Melissa, <a href='http://migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>migraine.com</a> team
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="Melissa Arnold" user-id="3827796"/> I hope you're feeling better to enjoy the holidays!
Alex55
You mention caffeine can be a trigger for migraine and yet write that caffeine can help migraine's. I’m confused.
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="Alex55" user-id="4785653"/> thanks for asking for clarification. If you have the questions, others likely do as well! Yes, as Holly shared different people can respond to it differently. What seems to be a commonality is regular consumption of caffeine may be more likely to trigger migraine; however, if taken at the "right time" which is often right at the onset of migraine, it can help some people to eliminate migraine. The experience is different for each person. I personally, don't do especially well with caffeine on any level, but for other's it's helpful when they feel one coming on. Do you know how caffeine affects you? 
2. CommunityMember1595
 <inline-mention username="Alex55" user-id="4785653"/> I get migraines from stress and weather conditions and when I feel it coming on I take Excedrin or some aspirin with caffeine in it. This usually helps for the exact amount of time until the next dosage is recommended (24 hours) and the headache returns. If I take the aspirin again I risk getting rebound headaches. I don't drink coffee, but do like tea. I enjoy Earl Grey and have tried many different varieties including white tea which is supposed to help with high blood pressure. I too was hoping that the caffeine at the right moment would ward off the migraine, but it hasn't helped for me. The pills are the only thing that helps me early on, and I have to be selective when I take them in order not to get the rebounding headaches.
Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
I'm having a cup of honey lavender tea right now! Thanks for sharing, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>Migraine.com</a> Team 
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="Nancy Harris Bonk" user-id="3845796"/> that sounds delightful! 
2. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Alene Brennan" user-id="3663804"/> It really was! How are you today? Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>Migraine.com</a> Team
carlb
Hey folks, I was given a tip at a health food store here in the south suburbs of Chicago that Feverfew & Lemongrass tea works...& it does I added it to my Migraine prevention diet...along with my Magnesium role from the same store.
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="carlb" user-id="3693786"/> that's great to hear that you found effective relief. Thanks for sharing with the community here too. I took a supplement form of feverfew and got some great relief from it myself. It came recommended from my headache specialist, so the buzz it getting around about feverfew! I haven't tried the tea version, but it sounds good too.
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="carlb" user-id="3693786"/> thank you for sharing your experience with diet, lifestyle and migrazap. It sounds like you've been very proactive in discovering how you can best manage your health and reduce both the frequency and urgency of the migraines. And the fact that you've been able to maintain it for Learning what works for one helps us to grow as a community too, so thanks again for sharing.
scottygs
For me, caffeine (not a coffee drinker normally) is a lifesaver when I feel a bad migraine coming on. A cup of black coffee with just a dash of brown sugar to sip slowly, tends to help. I'm an inveterate tea drinker (originally from Scotland where it's our drink of choice), so for many years now, it's Earl Grey for me. I have one big mug in the morning with coffee-mate (or cremora) and the same brown sugar, and it has to be very hot. No more for the rest of the day. I couldn't live without my tea which for me is calming and relaxing. There's also caffeine in my generic Fioricet as well, none of which seems to affect me adversely. I know this makes me 'lucky' compared to other migraineurs. A lot of my worst migraines are brought on by storms/heavy rain/changes in the barometer. 
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="scottygs" user-id="3729294"/> that's tricky to be triggered by the weather because we have no control over it. I'm sure that's been hard for you. It's encouraging to hear however, that you've found good relief in a cup of coffee at just the right time. Thanks for sharing.
Cody Leach Admin
I'm also a huge fan of drinking tea after switching away from drinking coffee full-time. I tend to drink anything herbal (not caffeinated), and enjoy whatever tastes good at the time. I don't worry too much about what's in it, or think about what will help with my migraines. Just having a warm cup of something that tastes good is enough for me! Sometimes I'm in the mood for mint chocolate tea, and other times something like a blueberry tea is all I want. - Cody (Team Member)
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="Cody Leach" user-id="4536970"/> a blueberry tea sounds delightful! I might have to give that a try. Is that one you buy in the stores or do you make it yourself?
rosecolouredglasses
Don't get me started on tea! 😀 I have an enormous amount of herbal tea. I don't like black or green teas as they upset my stomach, but rooibos is good. My daughter lives in France & every time I visit I come home with half a suitcase full - much nicer than the teas in my Canadian supermarket. My favourites now have verbena, lavender, camomile and orange leaves. I have 1 coffee in the morning & then 2-3 big cups of tea per day. I also have a Libre cup with a strainer in the lid, so can take advantage of the mint & lemon balm I dry from our garden. That mix, plus a slice of ginger and a sprinkle of turmeric can help me during a migraine. Tetley used to make a similar blend but they discontinued it.
1. Cody Leach Admin
 <inline-mention username="rosecolouredglasses" user-id="3784462"/> So jealous of your tea collection. I will have to try verbena, that is one I've never had before. I also don't blame you for coming home with half a suitcase full of tea every time you go to France. Might as well stock up on the good stuff while you're there! 😉 Wishing you well, and thanks for sharing what you enjoy with us all. Warmly, - Cody (Team Member)
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="rosecolouredglasses" user-id="3784462"/> I love the thought of a suitcase filled with delicious tea! What a treat to come home with 😀 Thanks for sharing the tea that you especially enjoy. I haven't tried verbena, but do enjoy lavender, chamomile and orange.
Maki
I can only drink teas that are made from leaves. Herbal teas that have fruits or flowers, most commonly hibiscus and rose hip trigger migraines for me. 
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Maki" user-id="3676429"/> Thank you for sharing this with us. So many things can trigger attacks. How are you doing today? Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>Migraine.com</a> Team 
2. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="Maki" user-id="3676429"/> that's interesting and I'm sure a really helpful discovery for you. Thanks so much for sharing, as I'm sure it can help many others in the community here.
ShellyM
Yumeric/ginger tea helps with my nauseau when I have a migraine. 
1. Cody Leach Admin
 <inline-mention username="ShellyM" user-id="6219193"/> I have heard many others say similar things as well! Glad to hear it works so well for you. Nausea truly can be the worst when a migraine hits. - Cody (Team Member)
greyghost
I have found that I get a migraine from drinking tea because of the tannins in it. Since herbal tea is not made from tea leaves, do you think that it contains tannins? I would love to be able to drink tea.
1. Nancy Harris Bonk Moderator
 <inline-mention username="greyghost" user-id="3918225"/> That's a great question, one I don't know the answer to. After TINY bit of digging it I found this article that has information sourced, which is good to know; <a href='https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/tannins-in-tea' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/tannins-in-tea</a>. Let me know what you think and I'm wishing you a low pain day, Nancy Harris Bonk, Patient Leader/Moderator <a href='http://Migraine.com' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>Migraine.com</a> Team
greyghost
Interesting read. It doesn't really mention herbal teas. I'm going to have to dig a little more, but this was definitely a start. Thank you so much. 
1. Alene L. Brennan, RYT Healthcare Professional
 <inline-mention username="greyghost" user-id="3918225"/> there's a video at the end of the article where I highlight different herbal teas. If you haven't checked that out yet, hopefully that can shed some more light for you. Here's a link to another herbal tea article in our community here <a href='https://migraine.com/living-migraine/herbal-tea' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer ugc'>https://migraine.com/living-migraine/herbal-tea</a>. I hope these help and would love to know, do you have a personal preference when it comes to herbal teas?
greyghost
I love Chamomile. I haven't tried it with lavender yet, but that will be my next purchase.