Essential oils are highly-concentrated liquids made from the leaves, stems, flowers, bark, roots, or other elements of a plant. Aromatherapy frequently includes essential oils that can offer health advantages like reducing stress and improving blood circulation via sensory stimuli (scent).
Essential oils can even assist treat particular conditions, like headaches or migraines. Different oils use various advantages. They likewise supply advantages without the long lists of side effects that can accompany prescription headache and migraine medications. Some essential oils can lower stress, which can minimize stress headaches, or relieve pain.
To use essential oils, they should be diluted in a provider oil such as coconut oil, olive oil, or sweet almond oil Add 5 drops to 1 ounce of carrier oil. Essential oils should never ever be applied straight to the skin or ingested.
1. Peppermint oil
Peppermint oil is among the most frequently used essential oils to treat headaches or migraines. It contains menthol, which can assist muscles relax and ease pain. It’s believed that applying diluted peppermint oil straight to the temples can assist ease pain from both stress headaches and migraines.
How to use it
Water down the peppermint with another carrier oil, like coconut oil, and apply to temples.
2. Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil has effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain killing) properties. It’s been used in folk medicine for hundreds of years for stress reduction, pain relief, and enhanced circulation, which can all assist headaches. One research study even discovered that rosemary oil aided with withdrawal symptoms. It also helps reduce sleeping disorders and relax muscles, which can aid with headaches.
How to use it
To use rosemary oil, you can massage the afflicted area with a couple of drops of rosemary oil blended with a carrier oil like coconut oil It’s likewise thought that the scent of rosemary oil, like breathing in the fragrance from your skin or in a hot bath, can offer pain relief.
3. Lavender oil
Lavender essential oil is commonly used for stress relief and relaxation. There’s also strong proof that lavender can assist treat headaches and migraines.
Breathing in the scent from lavender essential oil can help acute management of migraine headaches. One study discovered that people reported a significant reduction in pain after just fifteen minutes of inhaling the lavender oil.
How to use it
You can use diluted lavender oil to the skin, use an oil diffuser, or add the oil to a warm bath to obtain its benefits.
4. Chamomile essential oil
The essential oil of chamomile relaxes the body and relieves muscles, and for this factor can be an excellent aid in dealing with stress headaches. It can likewise help treat stress and anxiety and sleeping disorders, which are common causes of headaches.
Pregnant women should not use chamomile essential oil as it carries a risk of miscarriage.
How to use it
You can include a few drops of chamomile essential oil watered down in a provider oil to a bath, or to warm water, and take in the steam.
5. Eucalyptus oil
If your headaches are brought on by sinus concerns, eucalyptus essential oils can become your new buddy. This oil will open up the nasal passages, clear the sinuses, and can help relieve sinus tension that causes the headaches.
One study also found that a mix of peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, and ethanol offered relaxing effects to both the muscles and the mind, which could help relieve headaches.
How to use it
You can use a drop of eucalyptus oil to a carrier oil and apply it to the chest to assist clear the sinuses, or include a couple of drops to warm water and breathe in the vapor.
Risks and complications
Essential oils are normally regarded as safe, and lots of have much fewer side effects compared with a lot of traditional migraine and headache medications — consisting of both non-prescription and prescription medicines.
The most significant risk related to essential oils is the risk of an allergic reaction or irritation. Applying oils to the skin can cause inflammation, consisting of a stinging, burning feeling, soreness, or a rash. You need to dilute all essential oils, consisting of peppermint and eucalyptus oils, with a carrier oil before using to the skin. To prevent widespread inflammation, do a little test spot on your skin prior to using a big quantity. If there is no reaction in 24 to 48 hours, it needs to be safe to use.
There are few essential oils advised for babies under 1 year, or for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Lavender and rosemary oils in particular can be dangerous.
Essential oils can likewise cause complications if you have pre-existing conditions like asthma or heart problems. Ask your doctor prior to using any essential oils to make sure they will not aggravate any existing health problems.
It is essential to keep in mind that essential oils are not monitored by the FDA for purity, quality, or safety. If purchasing essential oils, make certain to purchase from a reliable company.
Verdict
Essential oils can have many medical benefits when used correctly, and can assist to eliminate headaches and migraines. When it pertains to essential oils, remember that a little goes a long method (1-3 drops will suffice).
If your headaches or migraines are consistent and interfere with your life, make a visit to see your doctor. For severe or frequent headaches or migraines, essential oils may work best as a complementary treatment to prescription medications.
