If you are one of the nearly 20% of adults who suffer from frequent headaches, your options for relief may seem limited. Pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are the go-to for many people, but they don’t address the root cause of your pain. Instead, you might want to turn to alternative remedies, including essential oils, to help ease the pain and alleviate other symptoms of your headache.
Essential oils are highly concentrated chemical compounds extracted from plants, and they’ve been used for generations as natural home remedies for a variety of health conditions. Although more research is needed to determine how effective essential oils are at treating headaches, early studies suggest that certain oils can be helpful for soothing the symptoms of a headache and relieving other related ailments.
A few drops of a soothing essential oil can be applied to the forehead, temples, or back of neck for instant relief. Alternatively, the scent of these oils can be inhaled through a diffuser for a more generalized aromatherapy treatment. If you’re not quite ready to try applying a oil directly on your skin, you can add a few drops of the oil to a carrier oil such as coconut, jojoba, or olive oil to create a massage oil that can be applied to the scalp and neck.
Lavender is the most common essential oil for headaches because of its ability to reduce stress and promote relaxation. This calming oil also has mild anesthetic properties that can relieve localized pain, such as that caused by a headache or migraine. Peppermint is another popular option for pain relief because of its cooling effects and invigorating scent.
Other essential oils that can provide headache relief include rosemary, eucalyptus, and marjoram. Rosemary is known for its stimulant and energizing effects, so it’s best avoided if you are trying to sleep during a headache or migraine. However, it can be a great choice for people who experience headaches related to menstrual cramps or nausea.
Finally, eucalyptus is a natural anti-inflammatory and works to calm the nervous system. This oil has been found to be just as effective at reducing headaches and tension-related muscle spasms as over-the-counter pain medications.
In addition to using essential oils to treat a headache, you can also incorporate other lifestyle changes such as better eating habits, regular exercise, and restful sleep to prevent frequent and recurrent headaches. In many cases, a headache may be a sign of an underlying health condition, so it’s important to see a healthcare professional to diagnose and treat the cause of your pain. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of using essential oils as a natural treatment for headaches, talk to your doctor or a certified herbalist who specializes in botanical medicine. Then, choose an essential oil that is right for you and use it consistently to get the most benefit. Remember, though, that if you have any allergic reaction to an essential oil, it is a good idea to discontinue its use immediately.
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