Find relief from headaches with the soothing properties of essential oils. Discover the top oils for headaches and unlock natural remedies for lasting relief.
In the United States, an estimated 47% of adults suffer from headaches, spending billions of dollars in treatment costs yearly.
There are no specific statistics, but the number of sufferers is increasing more and more in many countries worldwide.
Climate changes and pressures in life and work are favourable conditions for recurrent headaches. However, abuse of drugs for headache relief is only considered an immediate measure because it can cause many unwanted side effects.
So, how should you treat headaches to ensure they are safe and efficient? Alternative herbal medicines, especially essential oils, will be the promising and persuasive answer for you.
Oils for Headaches and Migraine Attacks
Struggling with frequent headaches? Explore the benefits of using essential oils for headache relief. Discover which oils can help alleviate your pain.
In this article, let’s learn about six wonderful essential oils for headaches and how to use them to reduce headaches effectively.
Top 6 wonderful essential oils for headaches
Discover the aromatherapy benefits of essential oils for headaches. Our guide explores the best oils to relieve head pain and promote relaxation naturally.
#1. Basil
Basil essential oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Besides, it effectively reduces the narrowing of blood vessels and protects the body against harmful environmental attacks.
Thus, using basil essential oil will help keep your mind fresh, active and healthy.
Therefore, treating headaches, stress, insecurity related to psychological pressure, and headaches due to a common cold, allergic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis is beneficial.
#2. Peppermint
The main ingredients of peppermint essentials are menthol, methyl acetal, L-pinene, and flavonoid, which have an antiseptic effect, stimulate digestion, relieve headaches due to a common cold, stress, pressures and help the spirit more cheerful and excited.
To increase the effectiveness of peppermint essential oil, you can mix it with some others, such as almond or clove oil, for a massage or steam.
Nevertheless, pregnant women should limit the use of peppermint essential oil in this mixture to avoid ill effects on pregnancy.
#3. Lavender
Of all essential oils for headaches, lavender essential oil has many disease prevention and treatment features.
It is considered a natural tranquillizer, antidepressant, anti-anxiety and anti-convulsion, so it helps to relax and relieve stress and pressure. Furthermore, it also contributes to treating neurological disorders.
According to researchers, the aroma of lavender and its main ingredients, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, are quickly absorbed through the skin and affect the nervous system. For this reason, it can be used to treat headaches for many causes.
You can apply diluted lavender essential oil to the skin and use the oil diffuser or add some drops to a hot tube for the desired benefit.
#4. Rosemary
Rosemary essential oil has strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
It has been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years to relieve stress and pressure and improve blood circulation to support the treatment of headaches. Therefore, it is considered one of the most effective essential oils for an energy boost.
Mix some drops of rosemary essential oil with a base oil like coconut oil. Apply this mixture to the affected area and massage gently.
Besides, add a drop of rosemary essential oil to tea or soup when experiencing headaches or migraines.
Otherwise, you can mix two drops of rosemary essential oil with two drops of peppermint essential oil and a teaspoon of coconut oil and rub the mixture on the temples, the forehead and the neck.
#5. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oil helps to cleanse the body by promoting the excretion of toxins and killing harmful bacteria.
It also ventilates the respiratory system and reduces sinusitis, thereby relieving headaches. Moreover, eucalyptus essential oil promotes emotional balance and eases the mood.
A clinical trial published by Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine shows that inhaling the essential oil of eucalyptus can reduce headaches and regulate blood pressure.
Another use of eucalyptus essential oil is promoting emotional stability, reducing oedema and having an anti-inflammatory effect. All of these can be beneficial for people with tension headaches.
Eucalyptus essential oil can irritate the skin when applied directly to the skin. Thus, it would be best to choose the way of steaming with it to achieve the desired effect.
Another way is to dilute it with a base oil and apply it to the chest or add some drops of this oil to hot water to inhale it.
#6. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemum essential oil helps to relax the body and soothe the muscles. Therefore, it becomes a great support in treating tension headaches.
In addition, it can help relieve anxiety and insomnia, which are common causes of headaches.
Chrysanthemum essential oil should not be used in pregnant women because of the risk of miscarriage.
To treat headaches, mix chrysanthemum essential oil with a base oil and then add this mixture to the bathtub or hot water to inhale it.
How to use essential oils for headaches
In headache treatment with essential oil, there are two primary methods.
#1. Massage
Apply the essential oil directly to the scalp, then gently massage the acupuncture points.
It will quickly penetrate the skin to dilate the blood vessels narrowed and help you relieve stress and discomfort caused by headaches. When using this massage method, you should be careful if you have sensitive skin.
#2. Steam
This method is extremely helpful in treating headaches with other uncomfortable symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness, especially headaches due to upper respiratory tract infections.
You can easily implement this method by adding a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of 30-40 degrees Celsius hot water. Use a large cloth to cover your head and place the bowl near your face so you can easily breathe in the steam for 15-30 minutes.
Each person will be suitable for different types of essential oils and healing methods for headaches. Therefore, you must experience it to see which method is appropriate.
At the same time, you should combine the appropriate lifestyle and living conditions to control headaches most effectively.
