The Mindful Migraine

A quick google search revealed there are MANY books on the healing power of tea. The tea itself has antioxidant benefits, can help with your digestion, and enhance your immune system. But as well as the physical services tea lends you, it also helps you emotionally. Many teas have a calming effect which reduces stress and aids mental clarity. Moreover…

The ritual of having a cuppa is itself healing.

For me, the process involves moving through some Tai Chi movements, or a Belly Dancing routine, while I wait for the kettle to boil. I fill my cup, find a restful place to sit, and practice some deep breathing, relaxing in anticipation as I wait for the cup to cool. Sometimes I have a magazine for company, sometimes my thoughts, always my two dogs.

I instantly thought of Japanese ‘tea ceremony’ for this post, but was surprised to find on Wikipedia that the Japanese don’t refer to it as such.  In Japanese, the term is Sadō or Chadō, which means “tea way”. Regardless of the terminology (without meaning to sound flippant), there are centuries of tradition around how to prepare, serve and accept tea, which include details right down to the setting and gestures… there are even changes made to reflect the seasons. Nice!

[Image source: Japan tea ceremony 1165 – Japanese tea ceremony – Wikipedia]

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While on the hunt for teas for healing, Medical News Today notes: “Anecdotal evidence suggests certain tea and natural remedies may provide relief for migraine symptoms such as headache and nausea. Herbal teas may provide relaxing effects or pain relief which may be beneficial for migraine.”

MigraineAgain lists these top 3 teas: Ginger, Peppermint and Chamomile, all of which I enjoy. They also include others which are less familiar; lemon balm, feverfew, willow bark, barley and turmeric (which I have written about before).

Over on Bezzy Migraine, they link to specific research papers to test out tea’s migraine-busting abilities. More often than not, the results were mixed or more research was required. Peppermint seemed to be the most useful, but often oils were sufficient rather than tea (see my post on aromatherapy).

Note – several websites state that whilst side effects from drinking tea are not common – caution still needs to be taken (especially if you are pregnant) – always consult a doctor for advice on how tea might influence your health or interact with your medications.

[Disclaimer – I am not a doctor, so this blog should not be used as a replacement for medical advice – please consult a professional when seeking feedback on your health and healing options]

Here’s a great post I came across recently from Greenwell Center for Holistic Health – the post, titled “Healing and the Quantum Body: When Spiritual Awareness Changes What’s Possible“, gets pretty deep into alternative healing methods (and is well worth a whole read), but I want to highlight a brief passage here that I especially liked:

In conversations about the quantum body and energetic healing, tea becomes more than a beverage. It becomes a ritual of coherence.

When we slow down to prepare and sip tea, the nervous system shifts. The body moves out of urgency and into receptivity. This subtle change creates the ideal internal environment for healing, awareness, and insight to arise.

[Michelle Greenwell also has a fabulous series of holistic healing podcasts you can listen to here: Be Well with Dr. Michelle Greenwell / Michelle Greenwell – YouTube]

Anecdotal evidence from my point of view is that NO, a cup of tea does not stop a migraine when it is in full flight, but that, YES, a cup of tea is a great alternative to coffee when you’re looking for some inner-warmth. It’s a nice way to take a moment for yourself, calm down your nervous system, drink slowly and mindfully, and potentially benefit from the boost of healing, natural, ingredients.

And with that said, I’m going to sign off (I have migraine-pain brewing behind my right eye (sigh)).

But – before I go put the kettle on – a quick reminder that THIS WEEKEND I’m holding two zoom parties (40mins each) to meet and greet anyone who’s interested – regardless of whether it’s for a migraines, a blogging connection or just curiosity – you’re welcome to attend!

• 9pm (Sydney Australia time) on Saturday the 21st of February
• 9am (Sydney Australia time) on Sunday the 22nd of February

Here’s the Zoom link (if it asks for a password, it is Lind@): https://us05web.zoom.us/j/7715158379?pwd=bSc1YBdziKPpjGMFQzqOunmoQRbb6u.1&omn=82961920345

Hope to see you there.

Take care taking care, Linda x

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PS – on a completely unrelated matter, I once posted about the similarities between “Ice-Curling and Chronic Pain“, so I had a little chuckle when a ‘double-touch’ scandal broke out in the Winter Olympics (with secret surveillance cameras and all)… amazing to think that it was also 2 years ago that I posted about the Summer Olympics: “Together Apart“… how time flies!

Ciao for now xx