You may not find a more common complaint than headache. There are many potential causes for headaches that include stress, dehydration, fatigue, hunger, environment, and sinus inflammation. Too much screen time can bring one on as well. To get the best results from the use of essential oils, and to select the right oils, it’s important to know, or at least suspect, the cause of the headache.
Note: Migraine is a more serious type of headache that causes throbbing pain, sensitivity, and nausea. For migraine remedies, turn here.
Alone or combined, some suggested essential oils for headaches are:
• Eucalyptus
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
Safety First
If you have frequent headaches and you’re not sure what’s causing them, it’s advisable to see a healthcare practitioner. Getting a professional diagnosis will help you to make more appropriate, and hopefully more effective, essential-oil choices.
When the pound and grip of a headache consumes you, try the following methods for relief.
• Temple massage. Due to its cooling and circulatory properties, peppermint is a common choice for headaches. Massage the oil onto your temples, forehead, jawline, and neck in slow circles (caution with the fumes around the eyes).
• Soothing soak. If stress is the problem, make time for a relaxing bath infused with soothing oils, such as geranium and lavender.
• In the air. Diffuse or inhale tranquil and fragrantly satisfying essential oils.
Natural Partners for Aromatherapy
For maximum results, combine your essential oils with these other natural remedies:
• Prioritize sleep. Even just one night of less-than-optimal sleep can leave you feeling sluggish and headachy.
• Hydrate. One of the top causes of everyday headaches is dehydration.
• Meditate. Keeping your stress levels low is key to preventing tension headaches.
When a headache hits, here are three of the easiest ways to treat it with aromatherapy.
Unwind in a bath enhanced with mood-balancing lavender and geranium oils to encourage circulation and sweep away stagnant energy. Relax and thoroughly enjoy the moment.
12 drops lavender oil
10 drops geranium oil
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup Epsom salts
½ cup coarse sea salt
½ cup baking soda
1 dark-glass pint jar
In a large glass bowl, combine the oils. Add in the Epsom salts, sea salt, and baking soda and whisk to combine. Pour the mixture into your jar. Add ¼ to ½ cup of the blend to a hot bath.
Peppermint has a way of releasing headaches that respond when this soothing salve is massaged on temples and breathed in deeply. This recipe makes four jars of salve, keeping you prepared.
2 tablespoons beeswax
½ cup coconut oil
20 drops peppermint oil
20 drops lavender oil
10 drops rosemary oil
4 4-ounce dark-glass jars
Use a double boiler to melt and combine the beeswax and coconut oil. Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool slightly before stirring in the essential oils. Divide the mixture into four 4-ounce glass jars and allow it to cool for 1 hour and set before use.
When you need relief on the go, this inhaler can be at the rescue with lavender to alleviate stress and eucalyptus to encourage deep breathing.
7 drops lavender oil
5 drops eucalyptus oil
3 drops geranium oil
1 nasal inhaler
Add all of the oils to your inhaler. To use, try slow, easy breaths through alternating nostrils.