Did you know that nature possesses its own healing elements? If you care to look, you’ll often find an invaluable treasure trove: essential oils. Derived from plants, these special liquids not only emit pleasant aromas but also offer a multitude of benefits to our bodies.
Today, we’ll dive into the realm of essential oils for migraine headaches. We'll explore how they may help with headaches and migraine attacks. If you or someone you know frequently experiences headaches, read on to discover more!
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5 Best Essential Oils for Headaches and Migraines
1. Peppermint Oil
Experience the invigorating sensation of indulging in a peppermint candy. Now imagine that same cooling effect for your mind, courtesy of peppermint oil. This aromatic oil soothes the muscles surrounding your head, increases blood circulation, and may help you deal with your headache or migraine.
For topical applications, you can use peppermint oil diluted in a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil. However, there are easier ways! The Migrastil Migraine Stick is a great option. To apply this natural tool, gently glide the metal roller ball across your temples, forehead, and the back of your neck at the first signs of pain. Enjoy the benefits of this convenient, mess-free solution!
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2. Lavender Oil
Lavender is a purple flower that smells really good, and it’s often used to promote sleep and relaxation. But did you know it may also help with headaches?
Scientists found that breathing in lavender oil may reduce migraine pain and tension. You can put a few drops of this oil in a bowl of hot water and breathe in the steam. Or, you can mix it with a carrier oil and rub it on your temples. Even easier - grab a lavender roll-on.
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3. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil, extracted from the eucalyptus tree, offers effective relief for nasal congestion and headaches. If you're experiencing a stuffy nose or sinus-related headache, eucalyptus oil could be your trusted companion in finding much-needed relief. You could use this oil by diffusion or diluted in a carrier oil for topical applications.
4. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary is not limited to culinary uses. The oil derived from this remarkable herb possesses potential pain-relieving properties and promotes relaxation. There is even anecdotal evidence suggesting its potential in reducing the frequency of headaches. Choose one of two ways to use this oil - by diffusion or topically (diluted in a carrier oil).
5. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile provides a soothing embrace for your mind, bringing calmness and aiding stress reduction (think chamomile tea!). If you suspect that stress triggers your headaches, consider giving chamomile oil a try.
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For those looking for a ready-to-use solution, the Migrastil Migraine Stick® Roll-on is a popular choice. It combines the power of peppermint with other essential oils to provide fast cooling comfort for your head. This roll-on is designed for easy application, making it a handy tool for those sudden headache moments. It's a blend of aromatherapy and convenience, all in one!
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What are Essential Oils?
Now that I've given you the best, it is crucial to grasp the concept of essential oils. Picture this: when you gently exert pressure on an orange peel, small droplets emerge. These droplets are akin to essential oils. They are derived from the finest components of plants, such as leaves or flowers, by extracting their juices.
Essential oils can often be potent, so it is common practice to dilute them with other carrier oils or water prior to utilization. Oils can be used in a few different ways - by diffusing them into the air, topically, and sometimes orally.
Why Use Essential Oils for Headaches?
Headaches can be bothersome, often occurring due to stress, fatigue or even the condition known as a migraine. Migraines, characterized by their intensity, can induce significant discomfort for those who suffer from them.
While some individuals opt for medication to alleviate headaches, others are more inclined to explore natural tools. This is where essential oils come into play. Several studies have indicated that specific essential oils exhibit potential in reducing headache pain.
Using Essential Oils for Headaches
1. Migraine Headache
A migraine is a severe and painful type of headache associated with throbbing pain, nausea, and heightened sensitivity to light. Migraines can be triggered by stress, anxiety, sleep deprivation, and hormonal changes.
Massage lavender or peppermint oil into the temples and back of the neck to ease feelings of nausea and anxiety.
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2. Tension Headache
These are called “stress headaches,” and they’re characterized by dull, constant pressure or pain. Tension headaches typically bring on feelings of pressure. Use eucalyptus or peppermint oil topically on the temples, forehead and wrists to alleviate stress and reduce tension. To ease the mind, add five to 10 drops of lavender oil to a warm-water bath works wonders.
3. Sinus Headache
When the membranes of the sinus cavities become inflamed and swollen, you may experience pressure in the forehead area where these cavities are located, resulting in a sinus headache. Use eucalyptus oil topically on the chest, top of the nose and on temples to open up the nasal passages and help with sinus tension.
4. Sugar Headache
This is pain that’s caused by low blood sugar levels. Combine equal parts lavender, rosemary, and coconut oil, and apply topically to the back of the neck, temples, and forehead. You could take one drop of rosemary internally with a smoothie or cup of soup as well. If you’re having issues with blood sugar regulation, make sure to discuss this with your doctor.
Always remember that essential oils are strong! Mix them with a carrier oil, like jojoba or almond oil, before putting them on your skin. Also, never ingest them unless you’ve discussed this with your doctor. If you're pregnant or have health problems, talk to a doctor before using essential oils.
Related article: 21 Signs and Symptoms of Migraines
Common Migraine Triggers
Migraine attacks can be triggered by a variety of factors, and you'll want to keep a journal and be aware of what triggers them for you. Common triggers include:
- Emotional stress. Emotional stress is one of the most common triggers of migraine headaches. During stressful events, certain chemicals in the brain are released to combat the situation (known as the "flight or fight" response). The release of these chemicals can bring on a migraine. Other emotions like anxiety, worry, and excitement can increase muscle tension and dilate blood vessels. That can make your migraine more severe.
- Missing a meal. Delaying a meal might also trigger your migraine headache.
- Sensitivity to specific chemicals and preservatives in foods. Certain foods and beverages such as aged cheese, beverages containing alcohol, chocolate and food additives such as nitrates (found in pepperoni, hot dogs and luncheon meats) and fermented or pickled foods may be responsible for triggering up to 30% of migraines.
- Caffeine. Having too much caffeine or withdrawal from caffeine can cause headaches when the caffeine level abruptly drops. Your blood vessels seem to become sensitized to caffeine and when you don't get it, a headache may occur. Caffeine is sometimes recommended by healthcare providers to help with treating acute migraine attacks but should not be used frequently.
- Daily use of pain-relieving medications. If you use medicine meant to relieve headache pain too often, that can cause a rebound headache.
- Hormonal changes in women. Migraines in women are more common around the time of their menstrual periods. The abrupt drop in estrogen that triggers menses can also trigger migraines. Hormonal changes can also be brought on by birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy. Migraines are generally worse between puberty and menopause since these estrogen fluctuations generally don’t occur in young girls and post-menopausal women. If your hormones are a strong factor in your migraines, you may have fewer headaches after menopause. Hormonal changes do not appear to trigger migraines in men.
- Light. Flashing lights, fluorescent lights, light from the TV or computer and sunlight can trigger you.
In conclusion, nature has given us many gifts, and essential oils are one of them. They can be a natural way to help with headaches and migraines. Always remember to use them safely. And if your headaches don't go away or get worse, it's essential to see a doctor.
We hope you learned something new today about essential oils for headaches. The next time you have a headache, maybe you'll think of these special plant oils!
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