Best essential oils for headaches and migraines

In this fast-paced world that causes us tension and stress, aromatherapy gives us essential oils for headaches . This disorder, whose origin is often unknown, manifests itself in the scalp and neck area.

Many times, this type of pain disappears with a small massage or changing some daily habits. The most common headache is known as tension headache ; It does not recognize age, but it is common in adolescents and adults.

It happens when the muscles in the neck area contract as a result of daily tensions and stress . Another cause may be depression or some trauma suffered in the past.

Migraine and essential oils for headaches

The popular migraine, clinically called migraine , is also treated with essential oils. Sometimes it is of such strong intensity that it can incapacitate the individual, even causing nausea .

Migraine has a genetic origin, it affects almost 16% of people and women suffer the most. While a tension headache covers the entire area of ​​the head, a migraine is like a heartbeat and occurs on only one side.

According to specialists, migraines and headaches are more common than is believed and are the main reason for neurology consultations. Statistics show that 90% of adults have suffered from some of these pains in their lives.

So what is good for a severe headache? Thanks to aromatherapy for headaches we can have the most suitable fragrances to relieve this condition.

There is an essential oil for every symptom.

What essential oil works for migraines?

Let's go with a list of those essential oils that you should have on hand.

1. Mint

It is perhaps most popularly used in the treatment of migraine and tension headaches. Its menthol content helps relax the muscles that become tense and cause pain.

One way to apply it is in a dilution to use it topically.

See Peppermint essential oil

Way of use:

• Use coconut oil as a base , dilute the mint oil there and apply it to your temples. The beneficial effect is felt almost immediately.

2. Rosemary

This oil exhibits a centuries-old history of successful use as an anti-inflammatory. It has analgesic properties and is good for reducing episodes of stress.

It helps better circulation , a key point to relieve and eliminate a headache. Some research suggests that rosemary , accompanied by other medications, provides muscle relaxation and helps combat insomnia. These two factors are determining factors in the treatment of headaches and migraines.

Applications:

• Use coconut essence as a base, mix a few drops of rosemary essential oil and apply it by massaging the pain area. Its particular and relaxing aroma helps to reduce pain.

See Rosemary essential oil

3. Lavender

This is one of the star essential oils to relieve different ailments, including headaches. In addition, it is indicated as relaxing, so it cannot be missing from this list.

Migraine aromatherapy includes inhaling the fragrance of lavender essential oil to control this type of headache. In various studies it was shown that, after inhaling lavender fragrance , the pain decreased in a matter of 15 minutes .

Use it like this:

• Apply it to your skin diluted in base oil
• Put it in a diffuser when you are in your room
• Take a warm bath with a diluted lavender solution

See Lavender essential oil

4. Chamomile

It is an excellent essential oil for headaches because it causes relaxation of the body and prevents contraction of the neck muscle . These contractions cause tension due to daily stress and are the cause of tension headaches.

Among the essential oils that we recommend, this one is very suitable for sleep deficit disorders, also responsible for migraines and headaches.

Way to use it:

• To bathe you . Dilute chamomile oil with base oil in warm water
• To inhale . Make the same dilution, but in hot (not warm) water and inhale its vapors.

See Chamomile in drops

5. Eucalyptus

One of the causes of certain headaches is the obstruction of the paranasal sinuses , and at this point eucalyptus is unbeatable. It helps clear the nasal cavity and relieves tension caused by obstruction.

Studies have been done combining eucalyptus essential oil with mentha x piperita and ethanol and the results were positive. It caused muscle and mental relaxation, which promises that a combination of these essential oils is quite effective.

This is how it is used:

• For the paranasal sinuses . In hot water add a few drops of eucalyptus and inhale those vapors.

See Eucalyptus essential oil

Possible risks

The essential oils used for migraines and headaches are quite safe and due to their natural condition they are more recommended than synthetic ones. The most recurring risk may be an allergy or irritation.

To minimize this risk, the ideal is to dilute these oils in a base such as coconut or olive oil. You can check this by applying diluted drops to a small area of ​​your body.

If you do not see a reaction between 24 and 48 hours, you can use it with confidence. It is not recommended in a patient with asthma.

It is good to know that the US FDA has no control over the purity and quality of these oils. So buy them from companies that are trustworthy and sell well-known brands, not generics.

Conclusion

Treatment with essential oils for these conditions has shown incredible effectiveness, it is a great ally of traditional medicine. It is not a substitute for a good medication, but it is a good option for relief.

They constitute an optimal set of relaxants that relieve the muscle tensions that cause tension headaches. The pressure of everyday life subjects us to a lot of fatigue and we must control that.

Leading a healthy life, without so many pressures, sleeping well and being at peace with yourself are the keys to avoiding headaches associated with stress.