Tea-Induced Migraine Explained: Ingredients That Trigger Migraine Attacks

Many people consider a cup of tea to be the remedy to virtually anything that ails you. Feel a cold coming on? Have a tummy ache? Stressed out? Tea is often the answer. Surely tea can do no wrong, right?

What Triggers Tea-Induced Migraine?

Common Tea Ingredients That May Worsen Migraine

Dr. Elliott says there are some specific ingredients commonly used in teas that are linked to causing migraine attacks. “Teas with ingredients such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and St. John’s wort have been shown in small studies to trigger or worsen migraine,” she says.

Additionally, “these herbs can interfere with the metabolism of certain migraine medicines, making them less effective,” she adds. In other words, if you popped a pill to help cure your migraine, and brewed yourself a hot cup of tea with one of the aforementioned herbs thinking that will help, it can backfire instead.

What Are Symptoms of Tea Intolerance?

Aside from migraine, some teas can also trigger intolerances or allergies, although rare. According to Rachelle Robinett, a New York–based holistic health practitioner, registered clinical herbalist, and founder of Supernatural, some herbs can cause a histamine reaction (an inflammatory response triggered by an allergen) in the body, which can in turn cause a headache, itchiness, or flushing (and in more serious cases, anaphylaxis).

“A histamine reaction is a natural and necessary reaction [from your immune system], but when overly severe or chronically triggered, can cause rashes or headaches, and especially migraine attacks,” Robinett says.

But this doesn’t mean you need to stop drinking tea cold turkey. “The approach for remedying that is usually to reduce high-histamine foods, including herbs [teas with citrus flavors in particular are considered high-histamine], but it’s important to consider what a ‘normal’ histamine reaction for most people is overactive for you. If your gut health is compromised, for example, that could cause a reaction since gut health and an immune response are directly linked,” Robinett says.

Can Tannins in Tea Cause Migraine Attacks?

Remember that how long you steep your tea also plays a role in the amount of tannins that make it into your mug. “You will certainly extract more benefits the longer you steep tea. You’ll get more flavonoids, polyphenols, and catechins, but you’ll also extract more caffeine and tannins, which can lead to a more bitter, unpalatable liquid the longer the leaves remain,” says award-winning tea blender Steve Schwartz, author of Art of Tea: A Journey of Ritual, Discovery, and Impact.

What Types of Teas Should You Drink?

Robinett says you shouldn’t give up on tea altogether. In fact, the herbalist says it’s still fine to drink tea throughout the day. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that moderation is key and choosing one that’s not caffeinated and low-histamine (if these are headache-inducing triggers for you) will likely yield the best outcomes.

She recommends some options to consider that likely won’t give you a tea-induced migraine: nettle, turmeric, chamomile, skullcap, and Moringa, to name a few. You can also opt for green tea (monitor your caffeine intake, if that’s a trigger for you), other herbal teas (made from rosemary, wild sage, and dandelion tea), or milk thistle tea, all of which contain a bevy of health benefits that promote healthy aging. Ultimately, however, a little trial and error will likely help you determine the best tea for your lifestyle (and, hopefully, it won’t trigger a headache either).

If migraine attacks persist after you’ve adjusted your tea drinking habits, speak with your doctor to rule out any other potential causes or to better pinpoint triggers.

When all of this advice is considered, it would seem that the solution to a tea-induced migraine is…tea (just a different variety). Hey, we’ll drink to that.

The Takeaway

• Tea-induced migraine can occur due to caffeine present in certain teas like black, yerba maté, or green tea. Caffeine withdrawal may also trigger migraine.
• Ingredients in some teas, such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and St. John’s wort, might worsen migraine by interfering with migraine medications.
• If you consistently experience migraine from tea, consider choosing low-caffeine and low-histamine options like nettle, turmeric, chamomile, or Moringa tea to help alleviate your symptoms.
• Consult your doctor if your migraine attacks persist after you’ve adjusted your tea drinking habits.