Are you looking for a natural solution for frequent headaches, migraines, or sinus pain? If so, essential oils work exceptionally well to treat headaches and migraine attacks.
The common causes of headaches are constipation, allergies, fatigue, stress, infectious diseases, hormones, poor posture, nutritional deficiencies, low blood sugar, alcohol consumption, insomnia, and much more.
It is often the combination of two or more causes that gives you severe pain in the head.
Gulp down painkillers whenever you have a migraine or sinus pain is not healthy or safe.
Taking painkillers regularly can damage your liver and kidneys. Painkillers offer only a temporary solution to the problem but never address the root cause.
Do Essential Oils For Headache Work?
EOs are a safer and more effective alternative to prescription medicines and painkillers for tension headaches.
The soothing effects of the EOs reduce stress, improve blood circulation, and relieve pain.
Importantly, these oils have several other benefits that help improve the individual’s immune system and overall health.
Studies have shown the possibility of getting rid of stress by using aromatherapy with lavender and peppermint oil.
Lavender has a mild sedative effect that can help you fall asleep and eliminate the pain from not sleeping.
EOs are very efficient in alleviating the physical and mental stress that causes headaches.
These oils can help minimize or eliminate the causes of common head pain, like allergies, food poisoning, sensory stimuli, high blood pressure, sinus irritation, colds, and flu.
Oil therapy is suitable for a woman who often suffers from headaches triggered by fluctuations in estrogen hormones. There are specific EO treatments that can relieve pain.
4 Best Essential Oil For Migraines and Sinus
Almost all EOs have some medicinal benefits or others.
Instead of using a single oil, blends of different oils are the total solution to getting rid of the pain.
Now let us briefly analyze 4 of the effective essential oils for headaches, migraines, and sinuses.
1. Lavender essential oil
Lavender oil is the most versatile oil with several precious medicinal properties for treating many common diseases.
This oil is often used as a potential antidepressant, sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and anti-anxiety agent. Thus, this oil is excellent for curing headaches caused by stress, tension, and anxiety.
Another great benefit of this oil is its power to regulate serotonin levels, which is necessary for alleviating migraine pain.
This oil can calm the pain by relieving feelings of sleeplessness and restlessness.
Researchers have ascertained that when lavender oil is used in topical or aromatic treatments, the human body absorbs the linalool and linalyl acetate chemicals. These chemical properties help in the healthy functioning of the limbic system, which otherwise would cause depression in the central nervous system.
According to one of the studies published in the European Neurology Journal, lavender oil relieves migraine headaches.
This study had 47 participants for the placebo-controlled clinical trial of lavender oil. The participants were made to inhale lavender oil for 15 minutes during every migraine attack. The differences in the severity of the pain and associated symptoms were recorded in 30-minute intervals over two hours.
The result of the study was amazing, as most of the patients who inhaled lavender oil reported a considerable decrease in pain and other associated symptoms.
How to use:
Massage the oil on your neck, temples, wrists, and back.
Another method is to add 10 to 15 drops of lavender oil to a warm water bath and soak yourself in the water for 15 minutes.
2. Eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus oil is a well-known natural remedy for several common ailments.
According to Medline Plus, this oil in diluted form is taken orally for pain, inflammation of respiratory tract mucous membranes, respiratory infections, bronchitis, and head pain caused by sinuses.
It’s an excellent expectorant for expelling toxins from the body, especially harmful microorganisms.
It works well for sinus pain by opening the nasal airways and removing sinus pressure.
Inhaling this oil can improve emotional balance, elevate moods, reduce pain and inflammation, and relax the person.
One of the studies that appeared in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that inhaling eucalyptus oil helps to reduce pain. When the patients inhaled the oil a few times a day, they achieved emotional stability and reduced edema formation.
This oil contains antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Thus, it is good for reducing sinus pressure caused by nasal inflammation.
How to use: Â
Topical application and inhalation are the best ways to use this oil.
Take 5 drops of the oil and dilute it with one ounce of carrier oil. Apply this oil mixture to the chest, back of the neck, and temples.
You can also inhale the oil to relieve sinus pressure that causes headaches or migraines.
3. Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint oil is a traditional medicine used for treating some of the most common diseases since ancient times. It is best known for its effectiveness in treating digestive disorders.
The potent organic compounds in this oil help treat health issues like headaches, migraines, respiratory problems, nausea, fever, muscle spasms, and pain relief.
You can apply peppermint essential oil topically across the forehead and temples to relieve pain.
In one of the 1996 studies, 41 patients were put on a peppermint oil placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study. These patients with headaches were made to apply peppermint oil 15 to 30 minutes after a headache began.
Compared to the placebo-controlled group, the patients who used the oil reported a significant reduction in pain. None of the patients reported any side effects after using this oil.
Another study was carried out in 1995 and published in the International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology. The study reported the effectiveness of peppermint oil and an ethanol mixture in reducing sensitivity during a headache. It also soothes the muscles and brings about mental relaxation.
How to use:
Dilute two to three drops of peppermint oil with 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (or other carrier oil) and rub it on the forehead, temples, and back of the neck.
4. Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary essential oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps treat poor blood circulation and headaches. It makes the person feel relaxed and improves mental alertness.
This oil helps to lessen headaches by reducing stress and anxiety. It enhances digestion and helps eliminate indigestion, which often causes headaches.
According to one of the 2013 studies, rosemary oil treatment was administered to patients suffering from withdrawal symptoms caused by opium abuse. After four weeks of using the oil, the patients significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms. The treatment also proved to be effective in reducing tension and muscle jerks. Also, it helped with healthy sleep patterns and calming pains.
How to use:
Add 1 or 2 drops of rosemary oil to water, tea, or soup, and drink it while you have a migraine attack or any other form of headache.
For topical application, take two drops each of rosemary and peppermint oils and add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil. You can rub this oil mixture on the forehead, temples, and back of your neck.
Other Essential Oils for Headaches
A few other oils also work efficiently in migraines and headaches treatment.
Let us now have a brief examination of a few other oils that work for calming down pain and other symptoms.
Rose oil
It helps soothe the nervous system and eliminates the stress that usually causes headaches in most people. Rose oil is also good for calming emotional upset, depression, and insomnia.
Melissa oil
This oil can reduce headaches through its antidepressant, sedative, nervine, carminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge, hypotensive, and sudorific properties. It relaxes the nerves in the brain, which causes headaches. Melissa oil is also useful for lessening the symptoms of colds and flu.
Chamomile essential oil
Chamomile oil calms the nerves, muscles, and mind. It helps calm mental irritability and tension, reducing migraines and headaches. It helps to soothe and relax the body.
Marjoram oil
This oil can improve brain functions by strengthening the nervous system. Topical application and internal consumption of the oil relieve anxiety and stress, which eventually help in reducing headaches.
Essential oil blends
Essential oil remedies for headaches are most effective and powerful when a few of the oils are blended. Pain relief is better when different essential oils with different healing properties are used together.
You can prepare essential oil blends by mixing a combination of essential oils. The mixture could include chamomile, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, frankincense, marjoram, and wintergreen oils.
How To Use Essential Oils For Migraine Relief?
Use the oils correctly and consistently to achieve the best results from essential oil therapy. Here are a few useful tips to follow:
Topical application
Always use essential oils for headaches in diluted form; use carrier oils like coconut oil or olive oil for diluting.
Massaging the oil mixture on the forehead, temples, and back of your neck works best for the reduction in migraine headache severity.
EOs should not come into direct contact with the eyes.
Apply the oil or blend of oils three times a day and continue until the symptoms are gone.
Oil inhalation
Inhaling essential oils is an excellent method for relieving headaches, migraines, and sinus congestion. Add a few drops of essential oil to 2 cups of boiling water in a bowl; then drape your head with a towel and breathe in the steam.
Another method of inhaling is to apply 2 drops of EO to your palms; use the palms to cover your nose and inhale the scent of the oil a few times.
You can also wet a cotton ball with the oil and inhale the scent of the oil from the cotton ball.
Diffuse oil
In your closed-up bedroom, use a diffuser to diffuse the oil throughout the night to relieve migraines.
Aroma therapeutic bath
Fill your bathtub with warm water and add 5 drops of essential oil, then soak yourself in the water for 15 minutes. Or else, you can add a few drops of essential oil to a bucket of warm water and use this water to wash your body.
Cold compress
Take a mug of icy water and add to it 5 drops of your choice of essential oil. Apply a compress to your forehead, temples, and back of the neck using a clean cotton cloth soaked in the EO diluted in cold water.
Specific Essential Oils For Different Headaches
Let us now discuss a few of the best essential oils and the types of treatment that are right for each type of headache.
Sinus
Usually, sinusitis is caused by the membranes in the sinus cavity becoming inflamed and swollen. The best oil for the sinuses is eucalyptus oil. Apply the diluted eucalyptus oil on the chest, forehead, top of the nose, and temples.
Eucalyptus is a decongestant oil that helps relieve inflammation and congestion in the nose and sinuses.
It is usually caused by the membranes in the sinus cavity becoming inflamed and swollen. The most effective essential oil for the sinuses is eucalyptus oil. Apply the diluted eucalyptus oil on the chest, forehead, top of the nose, and temples. Eucalyptus is a decongestant oil that helps relieve inflammation and congestion in the nose and sinuses.
It is usually caused when the membranes in the sinus cavity become inflamed and swollen. Useful essential oil for the sinuses is eucalyptus oil. Apply the diluted eucalyptus oil on the chest, forehead, top of the nose, and temples. Eucalyptus is a decongestant oil that helps relieve inflammation and congestion in the nose and sinuses.
Migraine
A migraine is an excruciating headache with symptoms like nausea, throbbing pain, and high sensitivity to light. The most common causes of migraine are stress, hormonal changes, insomnia, and heightened anxiety. Lavender or peppermint oils are the best for the treatment of migraine headache pain.
Massage any of these oils or a mixture of both in diluted form on the neck’s forehead, shoulders, temples, and back.
Headaches from tension and stress
It is caused by constant mental pressure and stress. There is lingering pain in the sides and back of the head. Using peppermint or eucalyptus oil is found to be most effective for relieving headaches caused by tension. Massage the forehead and back of the neck with diluted peppermint oil. It is also good to inhale lavender oil or have an EO therapeutic bath with lavender oil.
Headaches from infections
Fever and headache are common symptoms that accompany most viral and bacterial infections. Using essential oils like lavender, peppermint, and rosemary oil is best for temporary relief from headaches caused by infections. You can massage the essential oil externally on the forehead and in the back of the neck and have the rosemary or peppermint oil taken internally.
Possible Side Effects of Essential Oils
Essential oils have numerous health benefits and contain effective therapeutic properties in particular.
Pure essential oils contain powerful natural properties in a condensed form and can be harsh on the skin if applied without diluting. The skin on the nose and forehead is very delicate and sensitive; do not risk applying undiluted essential oil anywhere on the face.
Some might have a skin allergy to one particular essential oil. It is best to perform a quick patch test on a small skin area before using it on a wider part of the skin.
If you consume the oil internally, do not take more than 2 drops at a time. Do not consume EOs for more than 4 weeks at a stretch.
Everyone’s body does not accept the scents of different essential oils. For some people, the scents of certain essential oils may be unbearable, which might increase headaches instead of reducing them. You should test the scent before you go for full-fledged aromatherapy.
Conclusion
I hope you have found some valuable information in this post for getting rid of headaches with natural oil remedies.
Please share your opinion in the comment section below if you have any doubts or personal experience with the EO treatment for headaches.
To get the best result out of EO remedies, you must obtain therapeutic-grade essential oils, which do not contain any added chemicals or preservatives.
It would be best if you tried any of the essential oils for headaches discussed in this article. There is no treatment more beneficial to you if there is a possibility of getting headache relief.
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