HEADACHE? Essential oils that can help

The causes of a headache, whether it is mild to excruciatingly painful, can be due to dehydration, dieting, sinusitis, a lack of sleep, migraine disorder or just stress. To prevent headaches from reoccurring, the root cause must be determined however the initial reaction when a headache strikes is to stop the pain. Most people will resort to medication but there are other ways to reduce or eradicate the pounding.

Unlike painkillers, essential oils do not numb the pain, but target the triggers that will assist in alleviating the symptoms that are causing the headache.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are extracted from a variety of plants & sold as highly concentrated liquids. Depending on the specific oil, they can provide a wide range of health benefits including boosting energy levels, strengthening the immune system & speeding up the body’s healing processes. Some oils are said to improve sleep patterns as they aid relaxation, soothe pain & help the user deal with anxiety. Some have been documented as alleviating headaches, 5 of which are listed below including suggestions for their application:

3 points to remember before using these oils:
• Whichever oil you choose, it must be diluted before application onto the skin. One drop of essential oil in 2 teaspoons of carrier oil such as olive oil, jojoba or coconut is sufficient.
• When purchasing an essential oil ensure that it is a pure extraction & not a variety of scented oil as the benefits associated with that oil will be substantially reduced.
• It is advisable to do a “patch test” of any essential oil that you have not previously used; therefore this should be done before you are desperate for some pain relief! Apply the mixture onto a small area of skin & wait for 2-3 hours for any adverse reaction to occur. If all is well then that preparation is safe to use on larger areas around your body. Should any adverse reaction occur, immediately wash the area using warm soapy water to cleanse & finish with plain cool water to soothe.

1 – PEPPERMINT OIL.

As Peppermint oil contains menthol, it provides a cooling effect to ease & relax your muscles. It assists in alleviating discomfort as it stimulates blood flow. My favourite method of application is to apply a little to the temples & gently massage in using your fingertips in a circular motion. As essential oils have a positive effect on the olfactory system of the body (your sense of smell) & your temples are relatively close to your nose – well they are on most people I know anyway; slow deep breathing will enhance the effects of the Peppermint oil.
Another excellent method of utilising Peppermint oil & to receive its benefits is to add a couple of drops to a humidifier, remembering to close the windows & door first to allow the fragrance to fill the room.

2 – EUCALYPTUS OIL.

Should the cause of your headache be sinusitis, this oil should be the most effective as it assists in opening the nasal passages & relieving any sinus tension. Mixing with your carrier oil of choice & massaging onto the chest area or inhaling the vapours after pouring a few drops in a bowl of hot water are both “old fashioned” remedies but still work in this modern world.

3 – LAVENDER OIL.

A well-known oil & a favourite of many to aid relaxation thus addressing many of the symptoms related to stress. Lavender has been tested under scientific protocol in order to prove its effectiveness in reducing the effects of headache. In 2012, a placebo-controlled study compared the effects of inhaling lavender oil scents with all participants declaring a symptom reduction after 15 minutes inhalation.
Adding lavender oil to a bath or placing a few neat drops onto hanky or pillowcase when preparing for bed can be beneficial in reducing anxiety, improving sleep disruption & aiding stress relief.

4 – ROMAN CHAMOMILE.

Chamomile essential oil is frequently used in the treatment of anxiety or insomnia, both of which can be a root cause of headaches. Those who remember “The Tale of Peter Rabbit”, in which Peter has a very close call with Mr McGregor, the gardener who was intent on keeping hungry rabbits out of his vegetable garden & sometimes caught them in order to put them in a pie, Beatrix Potter writes:
“Peter was not very well during the evening. His mother put him to bed and made him some chamomile tea. One table-spoonful to be taken at bedtime.”
Peter was obviously suffering with considerable anxiety & stress & understandably so! Chamomile has been documented through Egyptian, Greek & Roman history for its soothing, calming properties but it is inadvisable to ingest it. Bathing or applying with a carrier oil as previously described are all valid methods of utilising this oil.
Roman Chamomile is more frequently used in Aromatherapy, rather than German Chamomile which has many similar properties but is bright blue in colour due to the presence of the sesquiterpene chamazulene & as such is a powerful anti-inflammatory essential oil.

5- ROSEMARY OIL.

Although often used to aid concentration (Rosemary for remembrance), it can aid mental clarity thus calming the body. This essential oil is particularly useful in assisting in pain relief as it reduces inflammation & improves circulation so aiding muscle relaxation, hence its effectiveness in treating headaches.
Massaging Rosemary blended with your chosen carrier oil or blended with other essential oils is an ideal method of application – or alternatively let a professional therapist address your specific requirements by blending the correct oils to suit your needs.

Please follow the link to our aromatherapy page or contact WENDY for a massage, with or without essential oils in order to relieve the symptoms of headaches or simply for the enjoyment of pure relaxation. Please click here for testimonials about our massage service.

Remember to visit your GP if headaches / migraines persist. In this case essential oils may still be beneficial complementary treatment to prescribed medication in managing your symptoms.