The Power of Essential Oils: How They Help Relieve Headaches
If you’ve ever suffered from a headache, you know how debilitating it can be. But did you know essential oils may provide a natural and effective method to ease your discomfort? With roots in ancient cultures, the therapeutic use of essential oils is gaining popularity in modern times as a natural, complementary headache remedy.
Why Essential Oils Work:
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts that contain the natural aroma of the plant. These oils not only provide a pleasant scent, but also have various therapeutic benefits due to their chemical make-up. When inhaled or applied topically, certain oils can help reduce pain, inflammation and stress – all contributing factors to headaches.
Methods to Use Essential Oils:
There are multiple ways in which essential oils can be utilized for headache relief, each of them easy to incorporate into your daily life:
- Inhalation: The simplest way is to simply uncap the bottle and breathe in deeply. To create a more powerful effect, a few drops can be added to boiling water to create a steam.
- Topical Application: Other oils can be applied directly to the skin. This is especially effective for tension headaches¸ as the oils can be applied directly on the area of pain.
- Aromatherapy Massage: A few drops of the essential oil can be added to carrier oils, and used for a soothing head massage.
- Aromatherapy baths: Add a few drops to warm bath water for a nice soak.
Remember, essential oils are potent and should be used with care. Always dilute them with a carrier oil before applying to the skin to avoid any skin irritation or adverse reactions.
The Best Essential Oils For Headaches
1. Bergamot Essential Oil
Properties: Mood-lifting properties help relieve stress, fatigue, and headache by triggering the body to release hormones to alleviate pain.
Treatment: Apply a mixture of oil with 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil topically to the skin.
2. Birch Essential Oil
Properties: Sweet smell stimulates endocrine glands and rouses hormones to block pain.
Treatment: Mix oil with sandalwood or rosemary essential oils.
3. Chamomile Essential Oil
Properties: Relaxing scent and compounds of chamomile relieve pain and address anxiety or stress.
Treatment: Apply 10 drops diluted with coconut oil on forehead or neck.
4. Clary Sage Essential Oil
Properties: Offers immediate relief for cramps and reduces stress and anxiety.
Treatment: Mix 5-10 drops with a teaspoon of carrier oil and apply to affected area.
5. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Properties: Cleans the body of toxins and harmful microorganisms that irritate sinuses.
Treatment: Dilute 2-4 drops with a carrier oil and apply to neck, chest, or forehead
6. Ginger Essential Oil
Properties: Its anti-inflammatory effects relieve headaches and joint pains.
Treatment: Mix with a carrier oil and massage onto the affected region.
7. Helichrysum Essential Oil
Properties: Anti-inflammatory properties relieve headaches and migraines.
Treatment: Dilute oil with 5% solution of jojoba and massage onto the affected area.
Check out our video on 7 essential oils for headaches! Enjoy!
There are many things that trigger a headache. Natural essential oils have the capabilities to target these triggers while offering immediate relief. These essential oils for headaches may also address stress, tension, and even nausea, which are common after and side effects of a severe headache. However, it is important to dilute these pure essential oils for easy absorption and increased effectiveness prior to use.
Up Next: 7 Leading Essential Oils for Allergies
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