Headache remedies using essential oils
Millions of people from all over the world suffer from migraine attacks, as a result of which many are on the lookout for effective headache remedies. Before we can discuss how essential oils can be considered as an effective solution, we need to understand the nature of the affliction first.
Migraine is an intense form of a headache. Migraine patients complain about a constant throbbing sensation. Roughly 60% of this pain is felt on one side of the head. The rest is evenly spread over the rest of the head.
There is no uniform consensus as to what causes a person to suffer from a migraine attack. The neurovascular theory attributes migraines to abnormal brain activity, which may lead to higher levels of adenosine in the blood. Studies have shown a direct link between increased levels of adenosine and migraine attacks. Others say that the cause for migraines can be attributed to genetic factors. They believe that certain traits passed from one generation to the next may cause certain malfunctions in the brain. These constrict blood vessels, which in turn results in a migraine attack.
Besides the dull and throbbing pain, migraines tend to have the following symptoms as well.
Sensitivity to light and sound.
Aversion from physical activities.
Are essential oils one of the more effective headache remedies?
Essential oils, derived from processing various parts of different plants have been proposed as a cure for a wide variety of ailments. Aromatherapists have been proposing their purported benefits for almost a century. A recent study has verified that aromatherapy is one of the more effective headache remedies!
Which essential oils can treat your migraine?
Lavender oil: Lavender oil is extracted from the flower of Lavendula officinalis. It contains a high percentage of esters such as linalyl acetate, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. There are a few ways you can use lavender oil to treat your migraine.
Aromatherapy: Simply take the cap off the bottle, hold it a few inches from your nostrils and take in the aroma. You can also pour two cups of boiling water in a wide bowl and add four drops of lavender oil to it. Take in the vapor for as long as you like!
Massage: Gently massaging your temple (the soft spot between the top of your ear and the corner of your eye) and your forehead with lavender oil will provide you with some relief as well. Pour a few drops of lavender oil in a cotton swab and gently dab your temples and your forehead. Now use the tip of your index and your middle fingers to gently massage your temples in a circular motion. Slowly move your fingers from your temple towards the middle of your forehead. To get proper relief, this should be repeated for at least five minutes.
Lavender oil is ideal for using at night because its sedative properties. Please note that lavender oil should not be ingested under any circumstance.
Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil is extracted from Mentha piperita. It contains menthol, which acts as a stimulant, but has soothing properties as well. Peppermint oil can be inhaled the same way that you would inhale lavender oil.
If used in an undiluted form, peppermint oil can be quite harsh on your skin. Hence, it is best to dilute it with a carrier such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. While massaging your temples and forehead, take special care so that none of the peppermint oil actually reaches your eye. In case of a mishap, it will significantly irritate your eyeballs, causing blurred vision accompanied by a stinging feeling.
Adding a drop of peppermint oil to a cup of herbal tea of your choice is highly recommended as well.
As peppermint oil is a stimulant, it may prove to be a deterrent if you are trying to get some sleep. Hence we would recommend that you use peppermint oil only during the day.
Roman Chamomile oil: Anyone who has ever had chamomile tea can attest to its soothing properties. The essential oil extracted from Chamaemelum nobile can cure migraines as well. Just like lavender oil, roman chamomile oil also has a high concentration of esters, however instead of linalyl acetate, the ester present here is isobutyl angelate. However, it works exactly the same way that lavender oil does and can be used similarly.
Another way roman chamomile oil can be used to treat your migraine is by incorporating it in either a hot or a cold compress. It is hard to say beforehand whether a hot or a cold compress will help you heal your migraine. If your migraines is being caused by increased levels of adenosine in your blood, using a cold compress may be the way to go. This is because the cold would constrict your blood vessels, decreasing the flow of adenosine in your cranium. On the other hand, if your migraine is being caused by an increase in blood pressure caused by constricted blood vessels, then you need to use a hot compress instead. A hot compress would dilate your blood vessels, easing the flow and decreasing your blood pressure.
Adding about 10 to 12 drops of roman chamomile oil to your hot or cold compress will help you get rid of the symptoms sooner. Just like lavender oil, it is recommended that you use this if you are planning to sleep off your migraine attack.
Besides those mentioned above, there are several other essential oils that you can use to treat your migraine. Some examples are eucalyptus oil, helichrysum oil and spearmint oil. Please note that aromatherapy is not an exact science. Feel free to experiment with the various essential oils mentioned above and you will find one of the most effective headache remedies that is perfect for you!
Headache remedies using essential oils was originally published on freshbeak.com
