Clematis

Virgin’s Bower, Traveler’s Joy,

Spanish: Barba de Chivo

The fresh leaves are applied to slow-healing skin sores and dully aching joints as a counterirritant; the dried leaves are made into a healing wash for infections and scratches. A tea made from the dried roots is sometimes used as a simple diuretic to relieve water retention. (Moore 1990)

A tablespoon of the plant in tea seems to have a vasoconstrictor effect on the brain lining but a dilating effect on the veins.  It is therefore a useful treatment for headaches in general and migraines and cluster headaches specifically.  Although not reliable, it has helped where narcotics and ergot alkaloids have not, and considering the debilitating nature of these two problems n it is worth trying.  Most effective in classic migraines where there are head flushes or visual disturbances in advance of the actual headache , and most effective when drunk at the first sign of these symptoms.  Some folks find the tea works better; some find the tincture more effective.  (Moore 2003)