562407 Sat Oct 04 22:52:01 -0700 2008 30 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 4082492 Any ideas? Looking for actual food, not drinks (e.g. tea, water, etc.). Thanks. Sat Oct 04 22:52:02 -0700 2008 11583 ipsedixit 1 4082543 The only thing I can eat when I have a headache, migraine (TGI been a long time) or sinus headache, is a plate of cottage cheese and some canned peaches. Nothing else. Since you said "not drinks" I won't bore you with my tea ceremony method of headache prevention. Feel better. Sun Oct 05 00:08:49 -0700 2008 4082492 196419 Kate is always hungry 1 4082556 Here are a few results from http://www.foodsnherbs.com/search1.htm (enter headache as the search term) Spinach: Healing Effects : Cool and clean the blood; treat hypertension, constipation, headache and dizziness; relieve hangover; treat hot skin diseases. Sword Bean: Healing Effects : Warm the middle region; push energy downnward; relieve hiccup, cough, asthma, headache and pain. Celery: Healing Effects : Clear internal heat and dampness especially in liver and bladder; expel wind; prevent kidney disorder; relieve hypertension and headache; relieve heavy menstruation. Sun Oct 05 00:34:50 -0700 2008 4082492 93805 hannaone 2 4085261 hannaone, if anything relieved "internal dampness" it would kill you. My insides are definitely supposed to be wet. (OP) Regarding headaches, I think a lot depends on what kind of headache you have. If you have a headache from congestion, seasonal allergies or cold/flu, then spicy hot food may help a lot. When I lived in Tallahassee and got colds in the very rainy winters I would eat hot Thai curry and it always made me feel better. But eat alone because your nose may start running so you may not be the best dinner companion. :P Mon Oct 06 09:42:54 -0700 2008 4082556 130229 glowworm 3 4086368 "hannaone, if anything relieved "internal dampness" it would kill you. My insides are definitely supposed to be wet." ROFL!! I believe the internal dampness refers to either excessive liquid production or "impure" liquid production. (Diarrhea and incontinance/toxins) Celery and Spinach would treat headache caused by hypertension. Sword bean would treat headache associated with coughing disorders and possibly just general pain. Mon Oct 06 16:31:06 -0700 2008 4085261 93805 hannaone 1 4082711 turkey and other poultry contain tryptophans which are the ingredients of triptan meds for migraines. Sun Oct 05 05:43:36 -0700 2008 4082492 22559 smartie 1 4082828 It does depend on the type of headache I think. If we're talking migraines here, I know myself that I don't want anything to eat, not just because of nausea, but also because it's like my system shuts down (my stomach doesn't growl for an entire day of not eating for example). Also with migraines, I think I read it somewhere that migraine sufferers tend to crave the very thing that will accelerate the headache. With that said, there seems to be more of a list of things to NOT eat than things we should. For migraine sufferers, a regular diet with magnesium and b vitamin sources is recommended. Food sources of magnesium here: http://www.hoptechno.com/bookfoodsourcemg.htm I just pulled out my Herb and Spice companion, and two things were mentioned, nutmeg, and sesame seeds. So who knows, maybe a bit of halvah, tahini or spiced oatmeal might do the trick. Some headaches seems to stem from digestive troubles , and sometimes if you take care of that, the headache will follow. So i'd recommend ginger in any form (i've had candied ginger do wonders on occasion). Alternately, something hot and spicy can clear the sinuses, if that's the problem. I know when i'm on the side of recovering from a migraine and the belly seems to be working again, I always want simple carbs. Usually salty simple carbs. Sun Oct 05 07:40:02 -0700 2008 4082492 153184 im_nomad 2 4088389 Yes, salty carbs are usually my first post-migraine food. Tue Oct 07 12:20:32 -0700 2008 4082828 208547 archstreet 1 4082837 For migraines, I like canned tomato soup- the salt seems to get my electrolytes back in order (exercise in overly hot weather is a migraine trigger for me) and the tomato's got some nutritional value. Sun Oct 05 07:45:19 -0700 2008 4082492 11781 beachmouse 1 4082847 For a migraine, if you can stomach anything try candied ginger. The ginger calms your stomach and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Sun Oct 05 07:52:53 -0700 2008 4082492 16828 Judith 1 4082858 coffee and if you don't want to drink it eat the beans ;) Sun Oct 05 07:59:55 -0700 2008 4082492 89493 scubadoo97 1 4083052 My best friend always says eat a banana when I say I have a headache. I'm not sure why, maybe the potassium? Sun Oct 05 09:52:21 -0700 2008 4082492 139219 Sooeygun 1 4083078 Anything spicy. Capsicum cures every pain by introducing its own pain. Sun Oct 05 10:09:22 -0700 2008 4082492 180418 takadi 1 4083112 a big bowl of mac n'cheese with serrano chiles, fresh garlic and a handful of fresh spinach.. I like to chase it with a big glass of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Sun Oct 05 10:27:15 -0700 2008 4082492 97452 Beach Chick 2 4087572 beach chick, is that after the captain morgan? {;^D that dish of yours sound so comforting and tasty! would scallions on top be a good fit? Tue Oct 07 07:38:12 -0700 2008 4083112 105717 alkapal 3 4087753 The Captain and a bowl of mac n'cheese and yes, scallions would be a good fit. I fold in the spinach right when plating..this dish really kicks ass.. Thank's for thinking of me alkapal! Tue Oct 07 08:48:11 -0700 2008 4087572 97452 Beach Chick 1 4083251 My headaches tend to be allergy-driven, so spicy soup helps. Bun bo hue, menudo, homemade chicken soup with minced fresh serrano pepper, whatever - they all seem to clear out my head. Sun Oct 05 11:48:07 -0700 2008 4082492 58743 alanbarnes 2 4084886 Like alanbarnes, when I have a sinus headache, spicy soups are good. I love to get a bowl of hot and sour soup. It seems I get immediate relief. Also wasabi clears my head quickly. When I have a migraine, I don't want anything to eat. Sometimes, I get a headache that signals I need to eat something. Almost anything goes then and the headache is gone in minutes. That pain is usually accompanied by a dizzy and shaky feeling. Mon Oct 06 07:26:29 -0700 2008 4083251 78897 alliedawn_98 1 4085027 Garlic, lots and lots of chile, an aspirin and a beer. I understand that you don't want drink recommendations, but for the amount of chile I'm talking about, you need a drink that will cut the heat. After that, I'm feeling no pain. Mon Oct 06 08:14:29 -0700 2008 4082492 177724 tmso 2 4085227 During one lengthy and very spicy Thai meal (I'm a Kasma groupie) I swear all our brains went on endorphin overload in response. Talk about feeling lightheaded and goofy. Mon Oct 06 09:32:02 -0700 2008 4085027 13445 Louise 1 4086207 A small bowl of steamed rice has worked the best for easing minor headaches. A little teriyaki chicken or Korean short ribs makes the dish complete, but it is the quick carbo load which the steamed rice provides that helps my head. Mon Oct 06 15:14:46 -0700 2008 4082492 140436 fresnohotspot 1 4087035 Fruit (esp. citrus and watermelon) seems to do it for me, prob at least in part b/c of water content. Mon Oct 06 21:45:42 -0700 2008 4082492 64215 cimui 1 4087411 For the first time ever, I got a migraine that lasted for about a week. It was horrible! The only foods I craved were carbs (mostly cereal, oatmeal or pasta) and roasted chicken or turkey. Tue Oct 07 06:24:36 -0700 2008 4082492 134710 taboo 1 4087549 There are many different types of headaches. But a lot of headaches are caused by some sort of "cold." (ever heard of brain freeze?) So eating warmer foods is more advantageous than eating colder ones. And there can be a dampness (what Hannaone was referring to) component in many headaches as well. Headaches with a dampness component tend to be like there's a band around your head. So foods that help engender dampness (sweets, fried foods, extremely spicy foods) should be avoided and foods that can drain dampness will be good (job's tears, bitter greens). In general, bitter things drain dampness. That's why a lot of people find their headaches relieved with coffee. However, drinking too much coffee can cause dampness. So it's all about finding the right balance. Tue Oct 07 07:30:51 -0700 2008 4082492 10763 Miss Needle 2 4087587 Oh, and those sinus/allergy headaches are usually issues of "wind." Mild chili peppers, ginger, onion help resolve that issue. Tue Oct 07 07:43:22 -0700 2008 4087549 10763 Miss Needle 1 4087965 I used to work for a neurologist and also suffer from migraines myself. Habanero peppers have been known to help migraines (medical studies have shown this). I tried it myself and it works. It has to be habanero tho and I only know that this works on migraines for sure, I don't know about other headaches. I keep a few different habanero sauces in the fridge and make salsa if I feel a headache coming on. the sooner you catch it the better. don't let it get worse. Tue Oct 07 10:00:27 -0700 2008 4082492 136169 carey24 2 4088627 i read a article recently that referenced studies showing that the habanero effect may be mostly a result of distraction. you're distracted from the headache by pain in your mouth. but whatever works!! Tue Oct 07 13:34:09 -0700 2008 4087965 64215 cimui 3 4096693 I actually read an article saying that doctors add capsaicin solutions to wounds as a potent painkiller Fri Oct 10 17:36:32 -0700 2008 4088627 180418 takadi 4 4096741 you're right that capsaicin has been used successfully as a *topical* painkiller (actually capsaicin has been around in this form for a long time) and it is true that peppers have been used as a folk remedy for hangover headaches in south america. but i don't think laboratory studies have established a clear relationship between *eating* peppers and headache relief. at least some studies seem to indicate that the benefits primarily come from the distraction value. in support of carey24's point, studies like this one reported in the BBC do seem to show that capsaicin can help treat certain kinds of pain (no mention of headaches in this particular study) when *injected* (rather than eaten): http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7026443.stm Fri Oct 10 18:02:37 -0700 2008 4096693 64215 cimui 5 4096840 Yup that's the article I read Fri Oct 10 18:51:02 -0700 2008 4096741 180418 takadi 1 4088413 I agree with other posters that it depends on what kind of headache you have and what triggers your headaches. Usually when I get a headache, I want sugar asap and usally drink gingerale. Food-wise, I'd eat candy - depending on the type of headache either with or without caffiene. Fruit also helps sometimes, esp. oranges and lemons. Sometimes cinnamon or mint can help with tension headaches. Generally, though, I stay away from anything salty or fried. Also, for me it helps if the food is room-temp, not hot and not cold, if possible. Nothing shocking to the system. For allergy/sinus headaches ditto the hot foods and soups. I make chicken soup or jook, or eat tom yum or pho. Also kimchee. yum. Tue Oct 07 12:29:18 -0700 2008 4082492 156153 akq