Headaches happen for multiple reasons. From stress to hormonal changes to allergies to dehydration to low blood sugar, headaches can make an appearance when we least expect it and make life miserable. Can essential oils be good for headache relief? The short answer is yes, and in this post, we will list some of the best essential oils good for headache relief.
Identifying a safe and effective way to treat a headache may seem difficult. Some of us are not fans of taking pills and would prefer to pursue a more natural approach to relieve a headache.
If you do not like taking pills to combat your headache or the pills are not effective anymore, there are other ways to naturally cure a headache.
Enter essential oils…
Are Essential Oils Good for Headache Relief?
Can you use essential oils for headaches? Aromatherapy is the art of using essential oils. It has been practiced for thousands of years. The liquids are distilled from plant materials to encourage better health and a feeling of well-being. Essential oils can be used while performing a soothing massage or by simply inhaling them.
These natural oils are excellent alternative therapy for treating a headache and rank highly among those who prefer to lead a naturalist life. Also, if you are one who prefers to leverage a combination therapy approach, essential oils are a fantastic augmentation or supplemental treatment.
Essential oils can treat various types of headaches including migraine headaches, tension headaches, and sinus headaches. These natural agents are particularly useful because they go to the source of the problem. This is due to their unique ability to stimulate chemical releases in the brain that can generate feelings of calm, address pain, reduce stress, regulate hormonal surges, and improve circulation.
You can apply many of these oils topically, but many experts recommend using a diffuser when possible for the best results. However, if you have a respiratory condition like asthma, proceed with caution.
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5 Best Essential Oils Good for Headache
There are several essential oils good for headache relief. These oils relieve symptoms associated with headaches. The essential oils include lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, oregano, and peppermint. Finding the best oil for your needs will vary from person to person, but do not be afraid to spend time discovering the essential oil that works best for you. Here are five essential oils good for headache relief.
1. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil promotes relaxation and soothes our senses, enabling us to release pent-up tension, stress, and all symptoms that can contribute to a throbbing headache. It functions as an anti-anxiety, antidepressant, sedative, and calming agent.
You can use this oil as a component of aromatherapy, or you may use it as a topical oil after diluting with a carrier oil. Lavender oil is one of the best oils for relieving migraine headaches.
How to Use: Put two drops of lavender on each temple and rest. Many people find that after about twenty minutes, their headache is gone. Another method of using lavender oil for migraines is to take a facecloth and make it into a compress that is first dipped in hot or cold water that contains at least five drops of lavender. The compress is placed on either the neck or forehead while resting.
2. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil aids in the reduction of pain and helps to relieve tension. Rosemary oil is an excellent natural stress-reducing agent. Studies show that rosemary oil not only reduces tension but acts as a natural analgesic which helps to treat pain. Also, it can reduce other symptoms that may accompany headaches such as nausea and insomnia.
3. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the best choices among the essential oils good for headache relief. When applied to the forehead, peppermint oil delivers a cooling sensation, stimulating circulation, and reducing muscle contractions. Peppermint oil is especially useful in treating tension headaches. You can apply peppermint oil to your wrists, forehead, or temples.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Apply eucalyptus oil to the tip of your nose, chest, and temples to aid in relieving sinus tension while also opening your nasal passages. Eucalyptus has a rich history and reputation for reducing inflammation and eliminating blockage that accompanies sinus problems.
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5. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil can help to cure mild headaches as well as migraines. Its chemical ingredient, carvacrol, acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent which aids in providing rapid relief. You can take this oil orally by placing a few drops beneath your tongue or you can apply it topically. Of course, when consuming any essential oil, make sure it is intended for oral consumption.
When using oregano oil topically, apply it to your forehead and temples for the best results.
Using Essential Oils for Headaches
Should you choose to use the essential oils topically, dilute the oil. This, you can do by using a carrier oil such as coconut oil before applying it directly to your skin. Your goal is to avoid any damage to your skin. Remember to test a small portion of your skin first to check for adverse reactions.
You can inhale essential oils using a diffuser, spray, or even by adding a few drops to a tissue, holding it beneath your nose, and taking a deep breath. Just remember to be careful that the oil does not touch your lips or areas of the skin near or around the mouth.
Conclusion
There is substantial research to show that each of these essential oils is useful for headache relief. Each of these oils provides strong inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help you to take control of a mild or a chronic headache. You can either use each of these oils topically or orally.
Essential oils are an inexpensive method of dealing with headache pain. They can be purchased at a local health store. Next time you have a headache, try one of these oils for relief.
References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22517298/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23196150/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32877718/
