Every day, millions of people suffer from headaches due to various causes like allergies, stress, hormonal imbalances, insomnia, poor posture, fatigue, substance abuse, and nutritional deficiencies. While the easiest option is to pop a pill, it comes with its own set of disadvantages like kidney and liver damage, while providing temporary pain relief. Essential oils come as a savior. They effectively troubleshoot the root cause of a headache without causing any side effects. Here’s a list:
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is an active stress reliever and relaxing agent. Having anti-anxiety, antidepressant, anticonvulsant, and sedative properties, it treats headaches by calming down your nervous system. These properties make it an ideal remedy for anxiety headaches. It also regulates the serotonin levels in the body thereby helping migraine headaches. The anti-inflammatory properties further alleviate a headache caused due to sinus and other allergies. It is also effective in treating headaches caused during pregnancy.
Ways To Use It
The lavender essential oil can be used either topically or aromatically in the following ways.
- To 2–3 cups of boiling water, add 3 drops of lavender oil and inhale the vapors. As the sedative property begins to work, you will find relief from migraine and tension headaches.
- You can alternatively diffuse around 5 drops of essential oils in your room using a diffuser.
- Apply 2–3 drops of lavender oil on your temples, back of the neck, and wrists to relieve a headache induced due to stress.
2. Peppermint Essential Oil
The first thing that crosses our mind when we think of peppermint is its cooling effect. Peppermint oil is no different. This is due to the presence of menthol. Apart from this, its abilities to enhance blood circulation and soothe and relax muscles make it a perfect therapeutic for tension headaches. During pregnancy, the immune system of the woman becomes weak, leading to allergies like common cold or sinus. Peppermint oil effectively reduces a headache caused due to these allergies and also rectifies the underlying cause. It is equally effective in treating nausea caused during pregnancy.
Ways To Use It
- Apply peppermint oil topically to your forehead and temples to get an instant relief from tension headaches.
- Mix 2–3 drops of peppermint oil in coconut oil and massage your shoulders and neck to relieve stress and improve blood circulation.
3. Rosemary Essential Oil
Due to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary oil has been used since ages in treating headache, stress, and anxiety. The soothing effect of rosemary oil ensures proper circulation. It also relieves headaches caused in women due to hormonal changes during PMS and menopause. It is strictly not recommended for usage during pregnancy since it could elevate the blood pressure and cause other complications like pre-term contraction and labor.
Ways To Use It
- To 1 tsp of coconut oil, add 1 drop of rosemary oil and 1 drop of peppermint oil. Gently rub your forehead, temples, and back of the neck to get relief from a stress-induced headache.
- For migraine attacks, you can consume 1 drop of rosemary oil by adding it to your soup, tea, or warm water.
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Studies conducted on eucalyptus oil show that this oil can reduce pain and blood pressure by promoting emotional and mental balance in a person. It flushes out the harmful toxins from the body. The reasons for a sinus headache could be a blockage/irritation/swelling of nasal passages. Eucalyptus oil is good for these imbalances. The anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties are further harnessed in treating other respiratory disorders.
Ways To Use It
- Dip a cotton ball in 3–4 drops of eucalyptus oil and place it near your pillow while sleeping. This not just treats headaches but also helps you keep any seasonal infections at bay.
- Add 2–3 drops of eucalyptus oil to 1 tsp of coconut or olive oil and rub it on your temples and back of the neck.
5. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile oil is an effective remedy for headaches if used at night, due to its sedative and muscle-relaxing properties. Research indicates that chamomile oil can relieve symptoms of a migraine headache and headaches induced due to stress and depression. It is a diuretic and enhances urination, thereby flushing the toxins out of the body.
Ways To Use It
- Add 10 drops of chamomile oil to your bathwater and relax yourself, while seeing your headache wear off.
- Dip your cold compress or towel in a cold water after adding chamomile hydrosol to it.
6. Helichrysum Essential Oil
The excellent analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of helichrysum essential oil make it an effective therapeutic agent for headaches. This oil has the ability to soothe the nerve endings.
Ways To Use It
- Mix a few drops of helichrysum essential oil in a carrier oil and apply it on your forehead.
7. Geranium Oil
The uplifting, comforting, and nurturing properties of geranium oil are just what are needed to soothe a headache. It improves circulation and soothes the nerves. The rosy aroma further relieves depression and adrenal fatigue. It is highly effective in treating headaches caused due to hormonal imbalances.
Ways to Use It
- Mix equal proportions of geranium oil and lavender oil in a carrier oil and rub it on your temples and back of the neck.
Apart from these, various other essential oils like grapefruit, lemon, melissa, bergamot, and spearmint oils have also been effective in treating headaches. It is important to note that some essential oils can cause irritation in their undiluted forms. Therefore it is best to blend them with a carrier oil, especially during topical application.
