Not everybody is a fan of taking pills for a headache. Some of us would prefer to use a more natural method of relieving a headache, so which essential oils are good for headaches?
Headaches are caused by various things, lack of sleep stress, low blood sugar, dehydration. The good news is there are multiple ways to naturally relieve a headache rather than reaching for the pills.
Essential oils are great alternative therapies for treating headaches. Essential oils can be applied topically, but many experts recommend using a diffuser when possible for the best results.
Essential oils are useful because they generally go to the source of the problem due to the unique ability to stimulate chemical releases in the brain that can generate feelings of calm, reduce stress address pain, regulate hormonal surges and improve circulation.
Best essential oils for headaches
Finding the best oil to suit your needs will vary from person to person, take some time to discover which essential oil works best for you. There are several essential oils that will relieve the symptoms associated with headaches. Here are five essential oils that are known to provide headache relief.
Lavender oil
Lavender oil is calming and relaxing, it soothes our senses and enables us to release pent-up tension and stress which is often the course of a throbbing headache. Lavender oil functions as an anti-anxiety, antidepressant, sedative, and calming agent.
Lavender or can be used diluted with a carrier oil and massaged into the temples and the back of the neck to treat migraine headaches symptoms.
Rosemary oil
Rosemary is an excellent natural stress-reducing oil and helps reduce pain and relieve tension. Studies have shown that Rosemary oil acts as a natural analgesic which helps to treat pain, it also helps combat other symptoms that accompany headaches such as nausea and insomnia.
Peppermint oil
You can apply peppermint oil to your wrists forehead and temples. When applied to the forehead, peppermint oil delivers a cooling sensation, stimulating circulation, and reducing muscle contractions. Peppermint oil is very useful at treating tension headaches.
Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil is great at relieving sinus tension and also at opening the nasal passages. You can apply eucalyptus oil to the tip of your nose, chest and temples. Eucalyptus has a long history and a good reputation for getting results and helps to reduce inflammation and eliminates blockages that accompany sinus problems.
Oregano oil
As well as mild headaches, oregano essential oil can help with migraines as well. It contains the chemical ingredient carvacrol which acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and provides rapid relief. Oregano oil can be taken orally by placing a few drops beneath your tongue, or you can apply topically. Please always make sure that when consuming any essential oil that it is intended for oral consumption. For best results apply this oil topically to the forehead and temples.
Diluting Essential Oils
When using oils on the skin, dilute them using a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil before applying to the skin to avoid any irritation to the skin.
You can inhale essential oils using a diffuser, a spray or add a few drops to a tissue and hold beneath your nose taking a deep breath. Be careful to avoid contact with the oil around your lips and areas of skin around the mouth.
Research has shown that each of these oils is useful and provides inflammatory and analgesic properties that can help you take control from mild or chronic headache, next time you have a headache why not try one of these essential oils?
Shop for Tisserand essential oils here at *Planet Organic.
