Autumn is hear and it’s already easy to see that winter isn’t far behind. When the weather starts to change many people start to get sick. It’s not just the wind and rain that does it. It’s also the fact that holiday stress can weaken your immune system, making you vulnerable to diseases like colds and flu.

For many people, the months between back-to-school and New Year’s Eve are a busy time of running from event to event with never enough time to relax. What should be a pleasant time, leads to very unpleasant headaches. Stress-induced colds can also cause a snowball of symptoms such as sinusitis, which again leads to headaches.

Although, over-the-counter medications may help alleviate some of the symptoms, they have side effects of their own. You shouldn’t have to choose between feeling groggy and a splitting headache! If medication leaves you fuzzy headed, then you might want to consider using herbs to heal your headache.

Herbs are an all-natural remedy that have been used to heal headaches for centuries. Here is a list of herbs for headaches that many cultures around the world have found useful.

Passionflower

This type of plant is not merely grown for its beauty but for its wonderful uses too. Aside from the herb’s natural calming effect, passionflower work like natural sedative. Research has shown that the herb passionflower can lower anxiety levels of the brain.

Skullcap

Another useful herb for headaches is skullcap. It works as tension reliever, relaxing the muscles and blood vessels. Skullcap is also an effective preventative measure because it can help relieve allergies and inflammation, two common causes of chronic headaches.

Lavender

Another tension reliever, lavender is commonly used in aromatherapy because of its relaxing smell. The herb’s essence can be mixed with oil and warmed to release the aroma. Soon, it will fill the room with a soothing scent that heals migraines and cluster attacks.

Thyme

Most people don’t think of thyme as one of the herbs for headaches because they are commonly known as herbs for cooking. This plant is found to be effective in removing the mucus from the head and lungs to relieve sinus congestion which, in turn, prevents headaches.

Peppermint

Peppermint has long been used as treatment for headaches. It has a minty aroma and is a natural pain reliever. Its cooling properties provide soothing effects, which makes it one of the best herbs for headaches.

Feverfew

Feverfew has been widely used for years as a remedy for migraine. Like peppermint, the herb releases a minty scent which has a calming effect. Drink feverfew tea and it works as a natural anti-inflammatory too.

Ginger

If you have headaches accompanied by nausea – like many migraine sufferers do, then ginger at the first sign that a headache is coming on. Ginger is often used to treat headaches and upset stomach , but is much more effective when taken early. You can consume ginger as a tea or buy a supplement at most health food stores.

Cayenne

Not really an herb, but a spice, cayenne contains capsaicin a nutrient that improves circulation, reduces inflammation and relieves pain. It’s one spice that really does triple duty. In fact, many chronic headache sufferers now take capsaicin supplements on a regular basis to prevent attacks.