Millions of people suffer from headaches every day. Many of them reach for over-the-counter medications to try and ease their pain. However, did you know that essential oils can also be used to treat headaches? In this blog post, we will discuss 5 essential oils that are known for their ability to help relieve headaches.
1. Peppermint oil
The oil of peppermint is a widely used essential oil for the treatment of headaches and migraine attacks. Menthol, which may help relax muscles and alleviate pain, is present in it.
It has long been used to treat tension headaches and migraines. It’s thought that applying diluted peppermint oil topically can help with pain from both tension headaches and migraine attacks.
How to use it
Dilute the peppermint with another carrier oil, such as coconut oil, and apply it to your temples.
2. Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) effects. It’s been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years to reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve circulation, all of which might aid headaches.
Rosemary oil has been shown to help with the symptoms of both opiate and alcohol withdrawal. It also helped to relieve anxiety and relax muscles, which can help with migraines.
How to use it
You may massage the afflicted region with a few drops of rosemary oil mixed with a carrier oil like coconut oil to utilize rosemary oil. It’s also been said that the scent of rosemary oil, such as smelling your skin or taking a hot bath, can help reduce pain.
3. Lavender oil
Lavender essential oil is commonly utilized for stress reduction and relaxation. Lavender has also been proved to help with migraines and headaches.
Breathing in the aroma of lavender essential oil can assist with the management of migraine attacks.
The researchers discovered that people who inhaled lavender oil for just 15 minutes reported a significant reduction in pain.
How to use it
You can either apply lavender oil to your skin, use an oil diffuser, or add the diluted oil to a bath.
4. Chamomile oil
Chamomile essential oil relaxes the body and soothes muscles, making it a useful tool in treating tension headaches. It can also aid in the treatment of anxiety and sleeplessness, which are common causes of headaches.
Chamomile essential oil should not be used by pregnant women because it has the potential to cause miscarriage.
How to use it
Breathe in the steam after adding a few drops of chamomile essential oil to a bath or hot water.
5. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus essential oils can become your new best friend if you have sinus headaches. This oil will open up the nasal passages, clean out the sinuses, and alleviate tension in the sinuses that causes headaches.
A 2010 study found that aromatherapy may help reduce migraine pain. Another study revealed that combining peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and ethanol provided relaxing effects to both the muscles and mind, which might assist with headaches.
How to use it
You may use a drop of eucalyptus oil as a natural decongestant by mixing it with a carrier oil and applying it to the chest. Alternatively, add several drops to boiling water and breathe in the steam.
Risks and complications
Essential oils are generally considered to be safe and, in comparison to most traditional migraine and headache medications, they have a much lower risk of side effects.
The greatest danger associated with essential oils is the possibility of an allergic response or irritation. Applying essential oils to the skin may induce discomfort, including a stinging or burning sensation, redness, or rashes.
Before applying to the skin, you should dilute all essential oils, including peppermint and eucalyptus oils, in a carrier oil.
Before applying a large amount, do a patch test: Apply a few droplets of diluted essential oil to a tiny region on your skin before applying a substantial quantity. If there is no irritation in 24 to 48 hours, it should be safe to use.
There are only a few essential oils that are advised for babies under one year old, as well as pregnant and nursing women. Lavender and rosemary oils, in particular, can be deadly.
Essential oils can also aggravate existing health issues, such as asthma or cardiac problems. Before using any essential oils, consult your doctor to ensure that they will not exacerbate any existing health issues.
Essential oils aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for purity, quality, or safety. When purchasing essential oils, make sure you’re buying from a reliable producer.
