Headaches can have different triggers. Sometimes it is muscle tension or it can be emotional stress. For others it might be food related. The one thing all headaches have in common is that we want the pain to leave as soon as possible. Essential oils can offer immediate relief as an approach for this issue.
Using an inhaler, diffuser or various recipe blends can offer the key to unlocking this fragile health dilemma. Relief can be experienced through careful and methodical use of top oils.
Headaches can often be debilitating for those who suffer from them chronically. Unfortunately, it seems that there is no way sometimes to stop the headache cycle. These headaches can affect every aspect of daily living. Many people search tirelessly for a perfect way to find relief. They spend small fortunes seeing doctors, using prescription and over the counter medications. Often their only relief is to lie down in a dark room and try to sleep to alleviate some of the pain. Aromatherapy is often overlooked as a way to alleviate some of the pain and suffering. The right essential oil recipes for headaches can be used as a form of aromatherapy by any individual dealing with unbearable discomfort.
Aromatherapy for migraine headaches is found through essential oils. The essential oils can even be added to a hot steamy sink of water while a person stands over and inhales the steam such as it were a humidifier. A diffuser is another way to administer these oils and deliver all of their healing properties.
A headache can appear as if out of nowhere. Often there is no warning sign, and it can show up at the worst possible time. Often a blend or recipe combining these various aromatherapy herbs can be very useful in helping to deal with the pain.
Gentle Massage or Headache Relief
Rubbing the oils into your forehead, back of your neck and or temples is an ideal method for administering aromatherapy. You can directly rub it into those areas or you can create a blend using a recipe.
The recommendation below is from Aromaweb.com. This is a very simple recipe and it will take no time at all to assemble these ingredients.
Basic Aromatherapy Headache Massage Recipe:
1 oz Carrier Oil (example: Jojoba or Sweet Almond Oil)
10-12 drops of your chosen essential oils
1 oz amber of cobalt glass bottle with orifice reducer insert
Directions: Combine your chosen carrier oil and essential oils into the bottle, and gently roll the bottle between your hands to mix the essential oils into the carrier oil.
To Use: Drop 1-4 drops onto your fingers and massage into your forehead, back of your neck and/or temples. Avoid getting the oils near your eyes.
Headaches can also vary in type. Many types of headaches can be helped with natural headache relief methods. Since the causes vary, the aromatherapy remedy will also vary. The symptoms need to be treated accordingly.
Sinus Headaches
Many individuals have indicated that combining different essential oil recipes for headaches has proven to be a very good choice for easing the pain of a sinus headache. These are most often caused by extreme congestion.
At Naturesgiftaromatherapy.com this comprehensive list breaks down the oils that are most highly recommended:
- Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus radiate, if available, since it is most useful for sinus ailments; however Euc. Globulous or Smithii will do if that is all that’s available.
- Peppermint: Clearing, decongesting.
- Lavender or Lavandin: for pain relief, relaxation, and antibacterial properties.
- Sweet Basil: for mental clarity, to prevent “brain fog”, as well as a decongestant.
Either inhale directly from a tissue, cotton ball, or, better yet, nasal inhaler, or dilute in carrier oil of your choice and massage onto sinus areas (ie, the ridge of bone beneath your eyes, and the ridges at your eyebrows.)
It is important to experiment to see which combination would work best for you. Once you know which oils are most helpful they can be your go-to solutions. The same solution might also work better in different ways. A direct application versus a diffuser can have a varying effect. It is best to try both and see if one works better than the other.
Tension Headaches
Starting to draw a warm bath, lying down with a cold pack on your forehead and other forms of relaxation will help ease the condition. However, it does not really help with the issues of stress at hand. Lavender is known as the top essential oil for relieving tension.
In “Living Well with Migraine Disease” author Teri Robert recommends a blend of diluted Peppermint and Lavender oils massaged lightly into the temples.
On her website, Helpforheadaches.com she also indicated Chamomile Clary Sage, Jasmine, Rosemary, and Melissa.
The first three on this list are all relaxants, while most Rosemary oils are stimulants. Melissa Essential Oil is best known as an anti-viral, but many sources say it is helpful for migraine relief.
Nourishingtreasures.com suggests this simple recipe:
Combine three drops of Lavender and 1 drop of Peppermint. From this mixture take one drop combine with one drop carrier oil. Massage over the area of your head that aches.
If this recipe works for you, it would be beneficial to carry around a small dropper of the oil for when you feel a headache starting to develop. This way you can apply it to your wrists and temples for relief. It is always best to be prepared for any situation. If you are out and have no plans to return home immediately, having relief on hand is necessary. This way the headache is not controlling your life. You are in the driver seat.
Migraines
Aromatherapy with essential oils can be a great complimentary therapy for migraine relief. It cannot get rid of this severe of a headache, but it can provide relief and comfort from some of the symptoms and side effects. Some essential oil recipes for headaches can also ward off nausea and aid in relaxation with migraines. It can help make the time more restful until a headache medication is able to take full effect and ease the pain.
Many migraine suffers have issues with any type of perfume or fragrance. Through trial and error you can find essential oils that you can wear on a daily basis without taking any chances. Since this is a chronic condition, it is important to stay alert for whatever may trigger your particular cycle. If fragrance is one of them, this could be a simple and easy fix. Plus, lavender and other oils have lovely and relaxing scent.
Humblebeeandme.com offers this recipe that they term “Essential Oil Headache Eraser” for relief.
20 drops Peppermint essential oil
17 drops Eucalyptus globulus essential oil
15 drops Cajeput essential oil
10 drops Rosemary essential oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil
5 drops Roman Chamomile essential oil (optional)
1 drop Helichrysum essential oil (optional)
1 toothpick swirl Vetiver essential oil (optional)
~2mL Perfumery alcohol (or vodka) or carrier oil, to fill
Start with a 5mL roll on bottle or glass bottle (5mL= 1 tsp). An empty 5mL essential oil bottle will work beautifully if you don’t have the roll on bottle.
Add the essential oils to the bottle—they will add up to about 3mL.
Top off with perfumery alcohol or a light carrier oil of your choice. It’s really up to you what you use here. I used perfumery alcohol because I had it on hand, and it evaporates faster than the carrier oil will. If you don’t have perfumery alcohol, just go ahead and use a carrier oil like grapeseed or safflower.
Summary:
If you suffer from any form of headache, then it will take a little bit of experimentation to find your perfect “recipe” for healing. No doubt it is difficult to deal with any reoccurring condition. However, essential oils and their powers when combined offer a myriad of relief solutions. It is also amazing that they can be experienced through the use of electric essential oils diffusers and inhaling the various blends. Make sure to purchase quality oils and take the time to find the right essential oil recipes for headaches that work for you. You’ll be glad that you did.
