Essential oils are an excellent, natural alternative to many modern healthcare options, from boosting your immune system right through to aiding with weight loss, these plant derived oils have a wealth of uses. One of the great advantages of using essential oils is that they can be extremely handy when it comes to relieving the pain and tension of headaches and migraines.
That being said, there are certain essential oils for headaches and migraines which work very well. In this article, we are going to explore some of the best options for essential oils for headaches and how they might benefit you.
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Why Are Essential Oils Good For Heachaches And Migraines?
One of the most obvious reasons that essential oils might soothe pain in the head is their beautiful aroma. It has been seen in research that inhaling scents can have a real impact on our brains. This extends to the relief of pain.
Essential oils are also able to bring down stress levels, which can often be one of the main causes of headache in our modern lifestyles, the release of stress may be enough to soothe a bad head.
It is important to remember, however that different essential oils will provide different effects so it is wise to choose carefully.
Essential Oils For Headaches And Migraines
Whilst there are many essential oils which can help to combat a headache, we are going to focus on what we believe to be six of the best. Let’s take a closer look at these,
Peppermint Oil
The highly intense fragrance of peppermint oil is refreshing and soothing, but how does it work in curing a headache? Quite simply, the menthol which is found in the oil is excellent when it comes to relieving tension in the muscles. This can be a cause of headaches, so relaxing these muscles can bring relief from the pain.
When using peppermint oil, you can apply it directly to your temples where it can be absorbed into the skin. It is important to apply the oil along with a carrier oil to prevent skin irritation. This applies to any essential oil being used as a topical treatment.
Lavender Oil
Lavender is probably the oil that most people associate with headache and migraine relief due to its wide use in relaxation and stress-relieving products. This idea is not unwarranted. The extreme relaxing properties of lavender can have a positive effect on a throbbing headache.
If you want to reap the benefits of lavender essential oil for a headache, there are options for how you might use it. It can be applied directly to the skin but can also be used, diluted in your bathwater. If you prefer, you can simply inhale the oil too.
Chamomile Oil
Another essential oil which is closely associated with relaxation is chamomile. This soothing oil is often used in teas, especially those designed to aid sleep and promote lower stress levels. For this reason, chamomile is an excellent choice for those who suffer from migraines and headaches.
Not only do the relaxing properties of this oil aid in releasing tension in the muscles but it is also known to treat underlying conditions which may be responsible for the onset of a headache such as anxiety.
Adding chamomile oil to your bath or inhaling the oil directly can bring quick and effective relief from a painful headache.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary isn’t just a plant that is excellent for flavouring food, its oil also has a wide range of health benefits, one of these being the ability to relieve a sore head.
The reason that this particular oil is so powerful when it comes to pain relief is that it has high anti-inflammatory properties, reducing pain and swelling and therefore providing relief from your headache.
On top of this, rosemary is great for helping those who suffer with insomnia, which can often lead to migraines due to the lack of sleep. If that wasn’t enough, rosemary essential oil is also thought to promote healthy circulation, for many people this is a common cause of a headache.
Simply inhaling the aroma of the oil can be enough to bring relief from a headache or migraine. However, some people opt to use the oil in massage which can provide quick relief.
Frankincense Oil
Frankincense essential oil carries an incredible aroma and this alone might be enough to relax you enough into completely forgetting that you ever had a headache. But if we are to look at this from a scientific view, we would see that frankincense has the ability to reduce inflammation which is key in providing relief from a migraine or headache.
What’s more, the particular essential oil is excellent at relaxing the muscles and therefore reducing tension which, as we have mentioned is a leading cause where the headache is concerned.
The oil can be applied either as a topical treatment or can be used for inhalation purposes in a diffuser.
Eucalyptus Oil
One of the most common causes of headaches is a blockage of the sinuses, thisc an bring great pressure and tension in the head but is often easily resolved through the use of eucalyptus oil.
The oil has the ability of eases nasal conjestion and relieving tension, making it one of the most popular choices for this cause of headache. Most commonly, the essential oil is inhaled through steam – for example, in your bath but it is also possible to apply it as a topical treatment to the chest area.
Safe Use Of Essential Oils For Headaches And Migraines
There are some instances in which it is not advisable to use essential oils as a treatment for headaches and some situations which warrant a little extra care and attention. In order to gain the best experience from these oils, it is important to take notice of the following safety information.
- Pregnant women are not advised to use chamomile oil since it can induce miscarriage.
- A skin patch test is recommended to ensure no allergic reactions may occur.
- Rosemary and lanvender oils should also be avoided by pregnant women or those who are breastfeeding.
- If you have an existing medical condition, you should always speak with your doctor before using essential oils as an alternative treatment.
Summary
Using essential oils to to treat headaches and migraines is a much more natural alternative to modern medicine or it can be used alongside it as a complimentary treatment. These oils are very effective and there are certain ones which can bring great relief for those suffering from headaches and migraines.
It is always advisable to take precautions when using essential oils and whilst they do not carry anywhere near as many side effects as pharmaceutical medications, there are some small risks which should be observed.