Is Sativa Or Indica Better For Migraines
According to The Journal of Headache and Pain:
When comparing headache and migraine to non-headache groups, Indica strains were preferred in insomnia/sleep disorders group, Sativa strains in the mental health condition/PTSD group, and Hybrid strains were still preferred in the gastrointestinal disorder/Crohns Disease group.
Geranium Essential Oil For Migraine
Geranium essential oil is far more than a pleasant accent to natural fragrances. Some study suggests that this floral Essential Oil may aid with hormonal and menopausal difficulties â and headaches may certainly be triggered by things like premenstrual syndrome .
Geranium oil is quite beneficial if you rub it, particularly near your temples, on your forehead, and behind your neck. Inhaling Geranium oil is also beneficial in the management of stress and anxiety and relieving headaches.
When To See A Doctor
A headache isnt usually why you need to go to a doctor. But, when it comes to a migraine, its not only a headache. In addition, you may feel dizzy, have nausea, and have blurry vision.
You may also have a sudden loss of balance, numbness, and weakness which you should not take lightly. Visit your doctor and tell them about these symptoms. The doctor may prescribe you some medications based on your symptoms.
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Your Guide To Essential Oils For Headaches And Migraines
Whether its the all-too-familiar hangover headache or the debilitating, throbbing pain of migraines, you know you have to do something about the pain and discomfort youre experiencing.
Headaches are a common problem 50-75% of adults aged 18 to 65 years old have experienced headaches in the past year. Headaches are triggered by various factors, ranging from stress to blue light exposure to hormones. An underlying medical condition can also send you into a quiet agony.
For most people, avoiding triggers isnt enough to steer clear of the pain, and other solutions are necessary. While over-the-counter medications are available for headache relief, natural remedies might be your preference.
However, you cant just opt for the first bottle of essential oil you see online and use it to keep your headaches at bay. Not all essential oils are effective for migraine and headache relief.
Keep reading to understand how essential oils work, the best essential oils for headaches, and how to get the right mix to reap their holistic benefits and help make you feel better. Youll also learn to develop a discerning eye when buying essential oils for headaches.
Are There Any Potential Risks Or Side Effects I Should Know About
Yes, but as we mentioned above, theyâre relatively minor and easy to avoid for the most part. First, you always want to make sure youâre checking the labels of the oils youâre buying, to be sure theyâre pure and donât include any additives.
Some essential oils also come with strict warnings for children, pregnant people, and people with different preconditions, like heart disease, high blood pressure, or epilepsy. Other essential oils are phototoxic, which means that if youâve applied them to your skin you should avoid direct sunlight since it could lead to a bad sunburn.
And finally, if your migraine headaches are scent-triggered, essential oils could bring one onâsome migraine sufferers say essential oils are an exception for them, but they wonât be for everyone.
So, again, thereâs not a ton of evidence that essential oils make a significant difference for people suffering from migraine headaches, but they still have the potential to soothe your attacks in combination with a complementary therapy, or help with some of the other symptoms that accompany your attacks. The worst thing that will happen is that nothing happens.
If youâre interested in incorporating oils into your treatment plan, make sure to loop your healthcare provider in and ask if thatâs the right call for you.
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How Long Do Essential Oils Stay Fresh
Keep essential oils in a cool, dry place to ensure they stay fresh for as long as possible. Eighteen to 24 months is the average amount of time an essential oil stays fresh.
Essential oils are wonderful partners in your health routine. Using them daily is a safe and easy way to feel better and get back to whats important in life.
How To Use It
Rosemary oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Its been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years for stress reduction, pain relief, and improved circulation, which can all help headaches.
A even found that rosemary oil used along with other medications helped with withdrawal symptoms. It also helped reduce insomnia and relax muscles, which can help with headaches.
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Potential Side Effects And Risks
Overall, studies show that the side effects of CBD and CBD oil are minimal. This is one of the main reasons why people are opting out of over-the-counter or addictive prescription pain medications.
Still, fatigue, drowsiness, and upset stomach are possible, as well as changes in appetite and weight. Liver toxicity has also been observed in mice whove been force-fed extremely large doses of CBD-rich cannabis extract.
Your risk for side effects may depend on the way you use the CBD oil. For example, vaping may cause lung irritation. This can lead to:
- breathing difficulties
If you have asthma or another type of lung disease, your doctor may advise against vaping CBD oil.
If youre unsure about the potential side effects or how your body might handle them, talk with your doctor.
If youre also taking other medications or dietary supplements, be mindful of drug interactions. CBD may interact with a variety of drugs, including:
CBD oils are made from cannabis, but they dont always contain THC. THC is the cannabinoid that makes users feel high or stoned when smoking cannabis.
Two types of CBD strains are widely available on the market:
The CBD-dominant strain has little to no THC, while the CBD-rich strain contains both cannabinoids.
The Basics Of Essential Oils For Headaches
The use of essential oils, for aromatherapy or massage, is based on the premise that the body has the potential to heal itself, and that by carefully choosing the right oils, people can harness those innate healing powers to alleviate a variety of ailments, including headaches. Research is sparse, however several studies have revealed benefits of the more popular scents. Headache benefits of other, less-studied scents are based on knowledge accumulated during this centuries-old tradition.
The practice of using essential oils is thought to stretch back to ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese, with each society contributing to the discipline. Several oils specifically have shown promise in alleviating headache pain. These oils work by:
- Reducing inflammation
- Managing hormone levels
- Minimizing sinus pressure or allergies
For a brief overview of types of headaches, their causes, and other treatment options, check out the video below.
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How Do I Use Essential Oils For Migraine Attacks
Essential oils can be inhaled or used topically. There are a few different ways to safely inhale essential oils: One way is by using a diffuser. Some diffusers are waterlessâmeaning you fill the diffuser with pure essential oilsâwhile some come with a water tank that you drop the essential oils into.
If youâre not using a diffuser you can gently waft the essential oil right from the bottle, or use the steam method, which is sort of like creating your own water diffuser. This method involves placing a few drops of essential oil into a bowl of hot water and putting a towel over your head and the bowl, while breathing deeply for several minutesâthink of it as your personal spa.
If youâre interested in applying essential oils directly to the skin, never do this without first diluting the oil of your choice in whatâs called a carrier oil. Because essential oils are concentrated, they can result in severe irritation and burns if theyâre not diluted. Carrier oils make them safe to âcarryâ to your skin.
Fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and olive oil are all kinds of carrier oilsâand you may already have one of these in your kitchen cupboard. Try dabbing some of this mixture onto a cold compress for your forehead and temples, or onto a warm one for the base of your neck. Whatever feels right!
How To Use Essential Oils For Headaches & Migraines
The most popular way to use essential oils for headaches and migraines is to apply a few drops to your temples and forehead – or wherever you are experiencing pain.
Because they are so concentrated and can cause skin sensitivity, its best to dilute them in a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba or almond oil. Just one to three drops for every tablespoon of carrier oil is all thats needed.
Inhaling the oil directly from the bottle or on a cotton ball will also provide quick relief. Otherwise you can use a diffuser , or burn essential oil infused candles.
For immediate headache relief, add a few drops of essential oil to a wet wash cloth to use as a warm or cold compress on your forehead or neck. Or for the ultimate in convenience, use an essential oil infused neck pillow and spa mask which can be either heated in the microwave or cooled in the freezer depending on whether you need hot or cold therapy for your pain.
Finally, you can add 10-15 drops of a calming essential oil like lavender to a hot bath and indulge in a soothing 15-minute soak before you go to sleep.
While you can use an essential oil on its own, you can also or blend two or three together. For example, peppermint and lavender essential oils are often combined to treat migraines. Experiment with different options to find out which works the best for you.
16 Remarkable Benefits of Lavender Essential Oil for Your Skin, Hair, Body and Mind Read More
IMPORTANT NOTES:
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Do You Have Migraines Learn How To Use Essential Oils For Headaches
According to Harvard Medical School, every year nearly 95% of women and 90% of men experience at least one headache. Of these, 95% are caused by normal conditions like caffeine withdrawal, changes in barometric pressure, hunger, lack of sleep, stress, fatigue, anxiety, changes in hormone levels, or dehydration. In rare cases, headaches can be caused by a serious underlying medical condition such as high blood pressure, an infection, a tumor, an aneurysm, or something even more severe.
Relieving the pain of a headache or a migraine and the accompanying symptoms may require multiple treatments. In conventional medicine, over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen are often recommended. If you have chronic headaches or experience migraines often, your doctor may prescribe more aggressive treatments including prescription painkillers and preventative treatment drugs.
If you prefer a more natural approach to treating migraines and headaches, essential oils may provide relief. Understanding the type of headache you are experiencing can help you choose which essential oil is suitable for your pain.
Warm Essential Oils Bath
Head into the bathroom to draw up this next headache remedy. Soaking in bath water mixed with essential oils can help reduce the effects of stress or tension headaches and is one of the most enjoyable home headache remedies.
The combination of the above essential oil ingredients creates a relaxing and enticing aroma of citrus, floral and spicy scents that make this once-a-day headache remedy quite divine.
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Are There Risks Associated With Essential Oils
There may be risks associated with any product that isnt made to high standards of quality. Make sure any essential oil you use is certified as pure and natural. There may also be a risk if youre allergic to the oil or the carrier. Some oils, like lavender, chamomile, and rosemary, can be dangerous for pregnant women.
Can Cbd Make Headaches Worse
CBD oil is typically helpful in reducing headaches and migraine prevention. THC is a cannabinoid that can sometimes enhance migraine attacks. An exception can be vaping CBD oil because smoking as a consumption method can irritate blood vessels, and trigger allergies and sinus issues which can cause a migraine attack.
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Soothe Pain With A Cold Compress
Using a cold compress may help reduce your headache symptoms.
Applying cold or frozen compresses to the neck or head area decreases inflammation, slows nerve conduction and constricts blood vessels, all of which help reduce headache pain .
In one study in 28 women, applying a cold gel pack to the head significantly reduced migraine pain .
To make a cold compress, fill a waterproof bag with ice and wrap it in a soft towel. Apply the compress to the back of the neck, head or temples for headache relief.
Coenzyme Q10 is a substance produced naturally by the body that helps turn food into energy and functions as a powerful antioxidant .
Studies have shown that taking CoQ10 supplements may be an effective and natural way to treat headaches.
For example, one study in 80 people demonstrated that taking 100 mg of CoQ10 supplements per day reduced migraine frequency, severity and length .
Another study including 42 people who experienced frequent migraines found that three 100-mg doses of CoQ10 throughout the day helped decrease migraine frequency and migraine-related symptoms like nausea (
Best Essential Oils For Migraines And Headaches
A migraine headache affects up to 12 percent of the population in the United States .
It causes throbbing pain, usually in one area of the head, lasting a few hours to a few days .
The researchers believe that you can inherit migraine pain from your parents. The triggers may activate the trigeminal nerve in your head and face.
This nerve releases some chemicals and neurotransmitters. Those chemicals swell up the blood vessels in your head, which causes a migraine headache.
But, headache is one part of it. It usually comes with other unpleasant symptoms such as vomiting and nausea. You may also have light and sound sensitivity .
Scientific research and medical experiment confirm some essential oils effectiveness in relieving migraines and their symptoms.
This article reviews the efficacy and uses of essential oils for migraines, plus the triggers and symptoms of migraine pain.
Efficacy of Essential Oils for Headache and Migraine Relief
A migraine can last more than 3-4 days. Its natural to grab painkiller tablets whenever you get migraine pain. But these over-the-counter drugs consist of aspirin and acetaminophen.
These chemical ingredients have adverse consequences on your health in the long run. So its time you chose a natural remedy for migraines and headaches using essential oils.
Essential oils are necessary ingredients in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and perfumes. These oils are also vital in the medical industry.
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How Essential Oils Work
Essential oils have been used for thousands of years by native cultures to relieve pain, fight infections, improve mood, boost the immune system, improve circulation, heal respiratory conditions, reduce inflammation, and much more. Today, aromatherapy is used by natural health practitioners and in hospitals across the globe.
More and more clinical research is being conducted on individual essential oils and their roles in modern medicine. Currently, there are over 200 clinical trials listed in the National Institute of Healths U.S. National Library of Medicine database. A quick glance shows that clinical trials are being done the world over to determine their effectiveness for conditions including:
| Hypothyroidism |
Essential oils can be diffused and their aromas inhaled, or they can be applied topically. In aromatherapy, it is believed that all organs in the body are related in some way to the olfactory system. And when we inhale molecules in the essential oils immediately travel to the brain and then through the respiratory system.
In some cases, the application of essential oils can help to relieve pain, including headaches. However, some essential oils for headaches can cause irritation when applied directly to the skin. Before application, mix essential oils with a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil to avoid irritation or a rash.
What Essential Oils Help With Headaches
- person Gary Tramer
Whether were the ones experiencing a headache or our kids are feeling discomfort, we want these painful symptoms to go away fast. However, we also want to use natural, sustainable sources of pain relief that are free of harsh chemicals. Essential oils provide the perfect resource when striking this delicate balance.
These are a few of the best essential oils that can help make your headache a thing of the past:
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Basil And Lavender Compress
A headache-soothing compress with essential oils can be just what you need to relieve the pangs in your head. Basil essential oil is one of the most commonly used home remedies for headache and is especially useful for easing symptoms when combined with Lavender.
These steps can be repeated up to three times a day as needed for relief of your symptoms.
Lavender May Reduce The Severity Of Migraine Pain
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Lavender oil comes from the plants blue-violet flowers, and aromatherapists often use it to help treat headache. Just place a few drops of lavender oil into boiling water and inhale the vapors. Lavender oil can also be rubbed into the skin for pain relief. But keep it away from your mouth and eyes its toxic if ingested.
There is research to show that lavender has benefits for anxiety and stress as well as in reducing the severity and frequency of migraines, says Lin.
A study published in European Neurology showed that people with diagnosed migraine who inhaled the scent of lavender essential oil for 15 minutes while they had a headache experienced a greater reduction in headache severity than people in a control group who did not inhale lavender.
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