Eucalyptus May Help Relieve Pain
The leaves and oil of the eucalyptus tree are used for many medicinal purposes. Eucalyptus oil is said to help reduce swelling, clear nasal congestion, and relieve pain.
According to a review published in August 2015 in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, eucalyptus oil has been used to regulate and activate the nervous system for nerve pain, headache, and debility.
Full-strength essential oil of eucalyptus should not be taken by mouth or rubbed on the skin it should be diluted first.
A case report published in January 2020 in Cephalalgia Reports suggested that daily use might be too much: A teenage boy with migraine initially found relief by applying a mixture of camphor and eucalyptus to his forehead. As his headaches went from occasional to daily, however, he began to apply the essential oil mixture every day. Only when he stopped using the essential oils did his headache subside.
Essential Oils For Migraines And Headaches
We’ll outline the 8 essential oils and give you science-backed reasons and studies that support how they can help you on migraines and headaches.
Lavender
Lavender has a very light and floral scent. It’s a very popular essential oil due to the calming and relaxing properties associated with it, and it has a long history of medicinal use among cultures around the world. There is a strong belief that lavender essential oil can go a long way at alleviating headaches.
Breathing in the scent of lavender oil can help you acutely manage the symptoms that come with migraines. One study showed that people could get relief in just fifteen short minutes of continuous inhalation of lavender essential oil. You can diffuse this into the room or apply it topically for the best results.
Peppermint
Peppermint has a very strong and sharp scent. The ancient Egyptians used peppermint extract and leaves to help with abdominal pain, nausea, aches and pains and other digestive issues. There are over 25 species of peppermint, and you can create a solution with a few drops of peppermint oil and a carrier oil. Dilute the peppermint and massage it into your temples.
Peppermint contains menthol, and menthol can help release any tension you may have in your muscles. If this is a trigger for your migraines, releasing the tension can help reduce your pain levels. It can work to improve your circulation as well, and this is a common cause of migraines.
Rosemary
Eucalyptus
Chamomile
Frankincense
Citrus
What Are The Potential Side Effects Of Using Essential Oils For Headaches
Some people who suffer from headaches and migraines are sensitive to strong scents, so its best to start slowly when using essential oils and use only very small amounts, so as not to create an overwhelming smell.
Some of the above oils do come with risks and contraindications. Peppermint oil, for example, should never be given to children or people with heart disease because of its chemical makeup. Rosemary oil shouldnt be used by pregnant people, or people with high blood pressure or epilepsy, because it comes in three different species that can have different effects on the body. Finally, lemon oil is phototoxic, so you should be careful when going outside if youve applied it to your face or other exposed skin, as it could lead to a bad sunburn, says Rodgers.
In order to ensure the oil you’re using is safe for you, check with your doctor before turning to it as a headache remedy.
The bottom line: Multiple essential oils, particularly lavender and peppermint oil, can be used as a headache remedy when inhaled from a diffuser or applied to the skin with a carrier oil. But check with your doctor beforehand to find out if the oil you’d like to use may cause any adverse side effects for you.
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Make Sure The Latin Name Is There
Many plants all over the world have similar common names, but that doesnt mean that they were all created exactly the same. If you look for the Latin name and the common name, youll be assured that youre buying the correct oil and not just something that has been generically named.
For example: if you want to buy lavender, look for the name Lavandula angustifolia, as thats the correct Latin name. This might require a little research on your part, but its worth it in the end.
How To Select Essential Oils
Although theyre plant-based, its important to understand how to select and use essential oils correctly. Quality is the most important place to start. Its critical when youre talking about using essential oils for therapeutic purposes. One may think that all essential oils are the same, but unfortunately, many oils on the market are diluted and adulterated to make their price tag more appealing.
I personally only use and recommend certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils.
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Be Careful Of Fillers
You want to be careful about your sources for essential oils. For many migraineurs, artificial scents are a big trigger. Look for 100% pure essential oil without fillers instead of a synthetic fragrance oil you might find in the supermarket, which are usually full of artificial stuff.
Since essential oils arent drugs, there is no FDA regulation or grading certification to look for. However, you can check the label for the latin names of the oil. For example, the Latin name for lavender is lavandula angustifolia. Do a little research to make sure you can recognize those Latin names. If thats the only ingredient, it should be a pretty good sign.
How Do Essential Oils Treat Headaches
Unlike pain relievers that are commonly used to treat headaches and migraines today, essential oils serve as a more effective and safer alternative. Essential oils provide relief, aid circulation and reduce stress. They also have a ton of other health benefits and boost your immune system instead of wreaking havoc on your vital organs.
Really, there are few safer, more beneficial ways to soothe headaches than by using essential oils for headaches. It should come as no surprise considering aromatherapy has long been used to treat pain and headaches.
Every headache has a trigger. One major cause of headachesis hormonal changes in women. Fluctuations in estrogen can trigger headaches in many women, especially immediately before or during their periods when estrogen levels drop.
Some women develop migraines during pregnancy or menopause due to hormonal imbalances. Hormonal medications can even worsen headaches, so using essential oils as a gentle and natural treatment is recommended. Lavender and rosemary oils, for instance, are soothing oils that relieve pain and ease tension. Both oils are used to treat PMS symptoms and hormonal imbalances, including headaches and migraine attacks.
Another major headache trigger is stress, which can be reduced by using lavender and peppermint oil aromatically. Changes in sleeping patterns can also lead to a headache luckily, lavender works as a mild sedative that helps people suffering from insomnia or a lack of sleep.
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How Essential Oils Can Help Migraine Headaches
A growing body of evidence suggests that herbal migraine remedies are safe and effective. One such study in European Neurology promotes lavender oil for migraine headaches. Forty-seven participants with previous migraine diagnoses were divided into two groups. One group received a placebo while the other was asked to inhale lavender essential oil for 15 minutes. The study revealed the group inhaling lavender essential oil experienced a reduction in the frequency and severity of their migraines. A separate study published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine also indicated participants who used lavender essential oil for three months reported similar results.
Lavender is not the only essential oil that can relieve migraine pain. Here are some other options:
- Peppermint oil is just as popular and effective as lavender for treating headache pain.
- Rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help combat migraine pain.
- Chamomile oil is known for relaxing the body and soothing muscles, which is effective against migraines caused by stress.
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How To Use Essential Oils To Manage Migraine
I remember my reaction when someone would suggest a natural remedy for my debilitating migraine disease.
They were one of those people who thought a migraine is just a headache, I would quickly assume. They clearly had no idea on just how debilitating migraine can be the sensitivity to every light and sound, nausea and vomiting, and the pain.
Like many others, migraine often landed me in the emergency room. But I got to a place of realization that despite my doctors best efforts, I was still experiencing debilitating migraine attacks. I was still on board with his plan for care, but I realized I needed to be proactive in preventing migraine attacks.
Thats when my eyes were opened to a world of holistic care and natural remedies yup, the ones that I had been dismissing. To my surprise, food, yoga, and essential oils ultimately became my best strategies for reducing both the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.
Essential oils seem to be the least understood, but can be extremely effective remedies, in the context of holistic care. So Id love to shed some light on them for the migraine community.
What Are The Best Essential Oils For Migraine Headaches
The American Migraine Foundation recommends lavender, peppermint, and tangerine essential oils for migraine treatment, but the organization notes that these headache therapies are not ârigorously proven.â As we mentioned above, researchers have reported some relief for study participants who used rose, peppermint, and lavender oils, but these findings are not as definitive as we would like. And like so much else when it comes to migraine treatments, the question of which essential oil is best for migraine relief can be completely different from person to person. Still, the oils we listed are a good place to start.
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So Uh How Exactly Does Smelling An Essential Oil Relieve A Headache
They work like this: Essential oils are quickly absorbed by smell receptors that are linked to the limbic system, which controls heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and stress, Elizabeth Ko, MD, medical director of the UCLA Health Integrative Medicine Collaborative and assistant clinical professor of medicine of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, previously told WH. Basically, certain oils can trigger responses in the body that relieve anxiety and tension and promote relaxation, all things that can trigger headaches and migraines.
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In fact, some smaller studies have found that people had less headache pain after they applied peppermint and lavender essential oil to their skin. One study even found that there wasnt a significant difference between using peppermint oil for reducing pain and taking acetaminophen . Pretty cool.
Recipe #: Eucalyptus Energy Spritz Recipe
Ingredients:
- 5 drops of spearmint essential oil
- 5 drops of Petitgrain essential oil
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil
- 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
- 20 drops of lavender essential oil
Directions: Mix all the essential oils for headache relief, and then add the mixture to distilled water in a spray bottle. This blend treats a migraine headache, uplifts your spirits and invigorates your mind. The combination of spearmint, eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon essential oils have a calming effect.
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Recipe #: Diffuser Blend For Balancing & Calming
Ingredients:
- 4 drops of myrrh essential oil
- 2 drops of Rose Otto essential oil
- 6 drops of clary sage essential oil
- 2 drops of patchouli essential oil
- 2 drops of clove essential oil
- 10 drops of frankincense essential oil
- 6 drops of sandalwood essential oil
Directions: Combine all essential oils in a dark-colored glass bottle and shake well. Add 6 to 10 drops of the blend to an aromatherapy diffuser.
Suggested Essential Oils And Blends For Use In The Recipe
- Blend #1: 4 Drops Lavender, 2 Drops Roman Chamomile, 1 oz. Carrier Oil
- Blend #2: 3 Drops , 3 Drops Eucalyptus Radiata, 1 oz. Carrier Oil
- Blend #3: 2 Drops Helichrysum, 4 Drops Roman Chamomile, 1 oz. Carrier Oil
- Blend #4: 3 Drops , 3 Drops Lavender, 1 oz. Carrier Oil
Headaches can feel powerfully strong. It might feel that you need to use a lot of essential oil to remedy your painful headache. With essential oils, using less is safer and can often be more effective than using more. Even for headaches, remember to always dilute essential oils adequately in a carrier oil before applying them to your skin or scalp.
Read the Guide to Diluting Essential Oils to learn how to properly and easily dilute essential oils.
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So Which Essential Oils Are Best For Headaches In Particular
These are the oils that Rogers recommends for relief.
Essential Oils For Migraines Doterra #1 Migraine Relievernot Available
The above oils are a great choice, but if youre looking for a one stop shop, consider our number one pick.
Its no secret here that we are big fans of doTerra and their diffuers. The reason is because their oils work, and work for a number of situations, including migraines.
If you need something that works fast, is easy to apply, and small enough to carry around wherever you go, doTerras PastTense roll on is what youre looking for.
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Using Essential Oils In A Diffuser Or Humidifier
‘Dry air can irritate sinuses and cause headaches and dehydration, so keeping your indoor air moist with a humidifier is a great place to start if you suffer from headaches,’ advises de Block.
‘You can purchase oil diffusing humidifiers which allow you to add a few drops of essential oil to the water that will infuse your home, alternatively, you can use an electric diffuser or ceramic candle burning diffuser.’
For best results, you’ll want to make sure your appliance is squeaky clean, so make sure you know how to clean a diffuser first
My Favorite Essential Oils
Different oils offer different benefits and I use them based on the desired outcome I want or the specific issue Im dealing with at the time.. Some essential oils can reduce stress, which can alleviate tension headaches, or soothe pain. As I stated earlier, Ive struggled with headaches and migraines for years. So I have gone through my fair share of testing out different oils. Here are my favorite oils to use for each specific kind of headache.
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What Are Essential Oils
Essential Oils are oils found in various parts of plants bark, stem, flowers, rind, resin, etc. that have the ability to support our bodys overall health. We already know that plants in nature produce food that supports our overall health. Well, these same plants also produce essential oils that can support our physical, mental and emotional health.
The biggest difference in the food that a plant produces versus the oil is that the oil is produced in such microscopic amounts, so its not seen by the naked eye. Thats where a sophisticated process called distillation comes into play. It gently extracts the oils from the plants often through steam or cold pressing and bottles it up for use. Because essential oils are so highly concentrated, one drop goes a long way. Thats why bottles of essential oils are rather small.
Did you now that essential oils are 50-70% more concentrated than their herbal counterparts?
A single drop of peppermint essential oil is equivalent to 28 cups of peppermint tea.
And essential oils, like foods, have unique properties to support health.
Continuing on with peppermint, we know a cup of peppermint tea is often suggested to support digestive health, boost energy and even alleviate migraine pain. Peppermint essential oil has the same properties, just in a more concentrated form. So, a drop of peppermint oil can deliver those same benefits and perhaps in a faster and more powerful way.