Headache! – The word itself is enough to annoy us. You either experience it frequently or are pretty lucky to get affected by it once in a full moon, but one thing is pretty straightforward: you can’t escape it. Then, what is the most effective natural remedy? How do you get relief from intolerable headaches without depending on painkillers or other commercial drugs? Well, aromatherapy is your answer. With so many excellent essential oils in the market, you will never be out of a solution for your chronic headache problems. Let’s discuss more:
Causes Of Headaches
There are tons of reasons behind the onset of headaches. Some of the typical causes are stress, hormonal imbalances, low blood sugar, fatigue, constipation, allergies, poor posture, nutritional deficiencies, alcohol consumption, drug addiction, dental issues, head injury, neurological disorders, loud surroundings, etc. Sometimes, we might even suffer from the combined effects of one or more of these factors, which are certainly more acute and painful.
Why Essential Oils For Headaches?
The best thing about essential oils is that they target the triggers of headaches, such as hormonal imbalances, stress, physical exertions, sensory stimuli, sinus pressure, etc., in an aromatic way and minimize or sometimes even remove them altogether. This is not a case of temporary pain relief, which is offered by most of the pain medications. Here is what essential oils can offer: (1) (2)
- Eliminates the triggers of headaches, thereby solving the roots of the problems
- It gives relief from minor to significant headaches through better blood circulation, stress reduction, and improved mood
- More effective than commercial pain relievers
- A safer alternative to synthetic drugs with zero adverse effects
- Dosage can be adjusted as per the nature of headaches
- It makes the immune system more robust rather than affecting vital internal organs
- It comes with many other health benefits
Best Essential Oils For Headaches
Find below a list of the best essential oils to cure headaches:
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Extracted from the Eucalyptus Globulus and Eucalyptus Radiata plants, this essential oil is enriched with the anti-inflammatory oxide 1,8-Cineole. It works as an expectorant that detoxifies the body and opens nasal airways to reduce sinus pressure and headaches. These eventually help treat edema, cold & cough, runny nose, sore throat, anxiety, etc. At the same time, eucalyptus essential oil also boosts our mood by ensuring emotional stability.
Application: Mix 2-4 drops of eucalyptus oil with a carrier oil and apply the mixture to the forehead, temples, neck, and chest, respectively.
Lavender Essential Oil
Being rich in esters or linalyl acetate, lavender essential oil holds excellent anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, analgesic, and soothing properties. It works directly on our limbic system and alleviates stress, anxiety disorders, muscle tension, depression, restlessness, insomnia, and certain neurological conditions. This helps keep migraine and nighttime headaches at bay.
Application: Pour ten drops of lavender essential oil into a bathtub filled with warm water and take a relaxing bath. Otherwise, apply five drops of the oil with carrier oil to your temples, neck, and wrists.
Peppermint Essential Oil
The high percentage of menthol makes peppermint essential oil a fantastic reliever of pain and headaches. It slows muscle contraction and stimulates blood circulation throughout the forehead and temple areas while inducing long-lasting cooling and calming effects. As a result, we get rid of tension headaches and feel relaxed.
Application: Take 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil and dilute it by blending with coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your forehead, neck, and shoulders thoroughly.
Also Read – Why You Should Start Using Bergamot Essential Oil For Your Hair?
Rosemary Essential Oil
Regarding the most widely used essential oil in folk medicine, rosemary surely tops the list. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and stimulating agent that can keep triggers like stress, upset stomach, emotional turmoil, etc., away, thereby reducing headaches to a large extent. Rosemary essential oil also improves blood flow, sleeping patterns, and personal orientation.
Application: Add a single drop of rosemary essential oil to a glass of water, a bowl of soup, or simply a cup of your evening tea and consume.
Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
Roman chamomile essential oil’s anti-inflammatory and soothing properties are similar to lavender’s, as it contains esters or isobutyl angelate. It is mainly used as a therapy for evening or nighttime headaches and is critical in soothing our muscles and nerves.
Apart from these are helichrysum essential oil, spearmint essential oil, rose essential oil, Melissa essential oil, and marjoram essential oil, which are famous for their capacity to treat headaches effectively.
Lastly, here is a small word of caution for you. While using essential oils for headaches, it is always good to dilute them beforehand to avoid any sensitivity.
Summary
Headaches, a ubiquitous woe, can be alleviated through aromatherapy and essential oils. Addressing triggers like stress and hormonal imbalances, these oils provide relief with benefits surpassing synthetic drugs. Eucalyptus oil, rich in 1,8-Cineole, eases sinus pressure; Lavender, with linalyl acetate, combats stress; Peppermint, high in menthol, relieves tension; Rosemary, a natural anti-inflammatory, tackles various triggers. Caution: Dilute oils before use to prevent sensitivity.
