Essential oils have long been considered an effective natural way of relieving headaches, as opposed to traditional painkillers which only temporarily relieve discomfort with side-effects and can even worsen headaches in some cases. Instead, essential oils get to the core cause of your migraines for long-term relief.
These oils may be inhaled from a diffuser or applied directly to your skin for topical application, so be sure to speak to your physician first before trying them for yourself.
1. Peppermint Oil + Lavender Oil
Peppermint oil is one of the most frequently recommended essential oils for treating headaches, containing menthol to soothe pain and tension while stimulating blood flow to the brain, studies have indicated it helps treat both migraines and regular tension headaches by lessening their intensity.
Eucalyptus oil can also help treat sinus headaches by opening up nasal passages and clearing away congestion that contributes to those throbbing headaches. Furthermore, its soothing aroma may even relieve stress related headaches, another major contributor.
Chamomile can be an effective remedy to relieve stress-related headaches (and insomnia, which may contribute further). With powerful anti-inflammatory properties and soothing qualities, chamomile is perfect for use as massage oil or inhalers or mixed with other oils like lavender.
Rosemary oil is an anti-inflammatory with strong pain relieving abilities, making it an ideal addition to massage or temple applications. Furthermore, its effects are especially helpful against hormonal and menopausal headaches which are notoriously hard to manage.
If you’re experiencing frequent headaches, consult your physician. He or she can identify their source and refer you to a neurologist for treatment if self-care methods don’t seem to help. They can even prescribe medication that will lessen both frequency and severity of headaches.
2. Peppermint Oil + Lemon
Peppermint oil (Mentha x piperita) has long been studied as an effective treatment for headaches and migraines, likely because its content of menthol helps relax muscles and soothe pain. Furthermore, studies have also demonstrated its effect in improving circulation and reducing inflammation – two components which contribute to headaches.
Peppermint oil offers many of the same therapeutic advantages of traditional over-the-counter and prescription medicines without their negative side effects. However, to ensure safe use and effectiveness it’s crucial that only high-quality, pure peppermint oil be used – organic cold pressed without chemical solvent extraction; free from alcohol, acetone and propane additives and sold in dark bottles so as to preserve therapeutic properties of oil.
Peppermint oil mixed with carrier oils such as coconut oil can be applied directly to temples and forehead during headaches to provide immediate pain relief. Apply this treatment for up to 30 minutes each time and reapply as necessary – perfect for stress, tension, hormonal or hangover headaches! Not recommended before bedtime due to its stimulating effects on nervous system.
3. Peppermint Oil + Rosemary
Peppermint oil has been shown to successfully treat migraine headaches and other forms of discomfort by relieving tension, relaxing tight muscles and soothing inflammation. Furthermore, its presence of menthol can alleviate nausea as well as unclog sinuses – providing an all-natural alternative for many over-the-counter and prescription medicines.
Rosemary oil has long been recognized for its ability to enhance mental clarity and increase energy levels, helping individuals maintain calmness during times of anxiety, which often leads to headaches. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties help relieve swelling and redness caused by headaches – it may even reduce swelling altogether! You can use rosemary oil topically, inhale or diffuse for best results.
Recent research demonstrated the benefits of applying diluted peppermint oil topically to temples and forehead can reduce tension headache severity, according to researchers. They discovered peppermint oil targets the pathophysiology behind tension headaches while providing similar pain relief as over-the-counter analgesics like acetylsalicylic acid or paracetamol – two widely available over-the-counter analgesics for migraine.
Before applying essential oils directly to the skin, it’s always wise to dilute them first with a carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil to prevent irritation from direct application. People with sensitive skin may experience stinging or burning sensations if these oils come in direct contact. Furthermore, organic options typically contain less synthetic additives.
4. Peppermint Oil + Chamomile
Chamomile tea can provide a natural sedative to relax both body and mind, offering relief for stress-induced headaches as well as hangover, period and hormonal headaches. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties help alleviate pain. Furthermore, chamomile oil has anti-nausea effects which make it an excellent choice for migraine sufferers, alleviating their nausea.
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which has long been used to relax muscles and ease discomfort. Applying it topically on foreheads and temples has proven particularly helpful – one study even concluded that applying diluted peppermint oil reduced both intensity and duration of headaches significantly!
If you suffer from headaches on a regular basis, essential oils should be your first stop when looking for relief. Essential oils are concentrated liquids derived from plants used as aromatherapy (an alternative medicine practice based on the belief that certain scents have health benefits when inhaled or applied topically), and using pure, high-quality essential oils must always be combined with carrier oils before being applied directly onto skin or applied directly via aromatherapy devices. While safe for home use they should always be checked out with your physician first and can be purchased either online or from local health stores locally
