May Help Relieve Tension Headaches and Migraines

Peppermint, which serves as a muscle relaxant and pain reliever, may alleviate certain forms of headaches. Peppermint oil contains menthol, which improves blood flow and creates a cooling feeling, perhaps alleviating pain. Peppermint oil applied to the forehead and temples significantly decreased pain after two hours in one randomized clinical investigation of 35 migraine sufferers compared to a placebo oil.

In another trial of 41 persons, peppermint oil applied to the forehead was shown to be as helpful as 1,000 mg of acetaminophen for headaches. While the scent of peppermint tea may help relax muscles and alleviate headache discomfort, there is no scientific proof to back this claim. Applying peppermint oil to your temples, on the other hand, may assist.