Two vegetables considered “natural remedies” for headaches—eat them and sleep soundly through the night

Besides their cooling properties, these two vegetables are also regarded as natural remedies that help relieve headaches and promote better sleep. For Vietnamese people, luffa (sponge gourd) and Rangoon creeper (Aglaia odorata / thiên lý) are very familiar. They are not only mild, sweet, and easy to eat, but also highly valued in traditional medicine for headache relief.

According to herbalist Bùi Đắc Sáng (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Hanoi Association of Traditional Medicine), luffa is a gentle, cooling food. Almost every part of the plant—luffa fiber, leaves, flowers, seeds, roots, and tendrils—can be used medicinally in traditional Eastern medicine to clear heat and detoxify the body.

Rangoon creeper has a sweet taste and neutral nature. It helps nourish the body, clear heat, detoxify, prevent heat rash, and improve overall health. It is especially known as a calming herb that supports better sleep and helps treat insomnia.

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How to use luffa to relieve headaches

Luffa flowers, leaves, and roots can all be used in remedies for headaches.

Method:
Use 20 g of luffa flowers and 100 g of whole mung beans (with skin). Simmer until soft, yielding about 400 ml of liquid. Remove the mung beans, add chopped luffa flowers, and boil for another 5–10 minutes. Let cool and drink the liquid 2–3 times a day.

Luffa is also beneficial for overall health.

• For nerve pain: heat luffa juice and drink about 100 ml per day, depending on symptom severity. Alternatively, blend fresh luffa leaves and apply the juice to the painful area.

• For migraines: decoct 15–30 g of luffa root and drink daily.

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How to use Rangoon creeper (thiên lý) for headaches and sleep

Pillow method:
Take about 5 kg of fresh Rangoon creeper leaves, remove impurities, wash, dry, and stuff them into a pillowcase. This herbal pillow helps improve blood circulation in the neck area and stimulates the release of sleep-inducing substances. It is especially suitable for people with dizziness, headaches, insomnia, or light sleep.

Dietary use:
Cooking and eating Rangoon creeper flowers in soup can help improve sleep quickly. Many people report waking up feeling refreshed and clear-headed.

Herbal drink:

• Use 30 g Rangoon creeper flowers, 10 g jasmine flowers, and 15 g lotus plumule. Decoction and drink throughout the day for one week to help treat insomnia and reduce headaches.

• Alternatively, steep 25 g of dried Rangoon creeper flowers in hot water and drink as tea. You can brew it twice a day. This tea helps calm the mind, reduce restlessness, improve alertness, and enhance sleep quality—especially beneficial for older adults.

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Precautions when using luffa and Rangoon creeper

Although luffa helps clear heat and unblock energy channels, people who frequently have abdominal pain, weak digestion, loose stools, sexual weakness, or erectile dysfunction should limit consumption. Those with allergies or who are currently ill should also avoid it to prevent discomfort.

Rangoon creeper should not be combined with iron-rich foods such as pork, liver, or organ meats, as this may reduce its effectiveness. After drinking Rangoon creeper tea, avoid consuming other herbal leaf teas, since organic compounds in those leaves may interfere with the absorption of its active ingredients.