Essential oils have all sorts of awesome health benefits. Not only do they have an amazing smell (and maybe they take you mentally to the spa),Guest Posting but when used as aromatherapy, they can reduce anxiety, increase your mood, help you sleep, and reduce inflammation in the body.
The plant-extracted, highly concentrated liquids can be rubbed on the skin and inhaled, put in a diffuser, and breathed in from the air, or placed on a pendant so you can smell them throughout the day. No matter how you choose to use them, one of the coolest benefits of essential oils is getting rid of headaches. Yup, if you have a headache or a severe migraine, inhaling essential oils may be the solution you need, says Nancy Rodgers, a massage therapist and certified aromatherapist at the Mayo Clinic’s integrated medical department.
How exactly does smelling an essential oil relieve a headache?
They work as follows: “Essential oils are rapidly absorbed by smell receptors linked to the limbic system, which regulates heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, and stress.” 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.
In fact, some small studies have found that people had lower back pain after applying peppermint and lavender essential oils to their skin. One study even found that there was no significant difference between using peppermint oil to reduce pain and taking acetaminophen (aka Tylenol).
8 essential oils for headache relief
Peppermint:
This is probably the most important essential oil for headache relief, and there’s the reason for that, Peppermint oil contains menthol, which helps your muscles relax and reduce pain. And there is a good cooling effect on your skin that helps prevent muscle processing in the head and neck while promoting blood flow to that area.
This type of EO is great for tension headaches. Some studies have found that using diluted peppermint oil to your temples can relieve headaches.
Great for soothing: Tension headaches
Lavender:
Another popular alternative is lavender essential oil. This alluring aroma is known to be very relaxing (you may have heard of it being used as a sleep aid).
Studies have shown that it relieves stress that, when combined with exfoliation or soft pressure, can reduce the stress that can cause tension in the back and neck muscles that eventually cause headaches.
There is also evidence that lavender may be effective enough to treat migraine pain. Another clinical trial found that inhaling lavender for 15 minutes could reduce the severity of symptoms.
Great for soothing: Tension headaches and migraines
Rosemary:
Studies support the fact that the essential oil of rosemary can be a powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving agent. It is often used to improve blood circulation and headaches.
Some studies have found that rosemary EO may be helpful in opioid withdrawal symptoms because it can reduce pain and eliminate insomnia – factors that can contribute to headaches.
Some studies have found that rosemary can reduce anxiety and depression, two other conditions that can cause headaches.
Great for soothing: Tension headaches
Chamomile:
A cup of chamomile tea is one way to help relax after a long day, so is it any wonder that chamomile essential oil is also soothing? Studies have shown that chamomile EO can help reduce anxiety and depression, which can also cause headaches.
This is one that has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce pain, such as headaches.
Great for soothing: Tension headaches
Eucalyptus:
When a headache is not caused by stress or anxiety, and it is not a migraine, then it may be due to congestion or irritating sinus problems.
If this is the case, grab the eucalyptus essential oil ASAP. This substance has been shown to have the ability to open the nasal passages and clear the nasal passages, relieving some of the tension that causes such headaches.
A 2013 study found that inhaling eucalyptus EO may help lower blood pressure and relieve pain.
It can even help with migraine headaches: research has found that eucalyptus is relaxing and cooling, creating stress that can cause headaches.
Combine with peppermint EO and you have a promising solution to headaches.
Good to help: Sinus headache/congestion headaches, headaches
Geranium:
This essential oil is more than just a good ingredient in natural perfumes. Some studies have shown that this floral EO can help with hormonal and menopausal problems – and headaches can be caused by things like PMS.
If you mix geranium and lavender and give yourself a little massage (especially near your temples), it can be very effective.
Great for soothing: Hormonal, menopausal, or menstruation headaches
Frankincense:
Studies have shown that the scent of incense may be effective in relieving cluster head pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Cluster headaches often start with pain in your muscles, neck, and back, which is why anti-inflammatory can help reduce that discomfort.
A 2019 study found that essential oils reduced the effects of stress and improved sleep in rats. Incense also appears to act as an antioxidant, reducing stress damage to cells.
Incense can also be a soothing, soothing balm, reducing stress and reducing stress, which can prevent headaches.
Great for soothing: Cluster headaches, tension headaches
Ginger:
You probably already know that ginger can be very effective in combating nausea and vomiting. But ginger essential oil also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with all kinds of pain.
A review of 2018 studies has shown that ginger not only works as a treatment for migraine but also increases blood pressure, can protect against bad cholesterol, has an anti-oxidant effect that can play a role in cancer prevention, and its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.
There may be a role of ginger essential oil in the fight against diabetes. Ginger has been a respected means of treating headaches and nausea for thousands of years.
Great for soothing: Migraines
