Headaches are a huge problem for many people. If you’ve ruled out serious causes and your headaches are simply down to stress and lifestyle issues, there are many ways you can try and reduce attacks, with several natural options available to you.
Have you considered essential oils?
Considered ideal for a variety of different ailments, essential oils have been used for decades. The sheer number of oils around can make it difficult to know which are best for which particular issue, but in terms of headaches, there are a few which stand out. If you’d much prefer to go down the natural route, rather than taking painkillers when a headache strikes, let’s check out a few specific essential oils you can try, and how to use them.
Peppermint Oil
You’ll find peppermint oil often pops up first when searching into which oils are best for headaches and even migraines. Peppermint oil is ideal for relaxing the mind and body, and this is due to the menthol content. The best way to use peppermint oil for headaches is to dilute it with a carrier oil and add a couple of drops directly to the temples. Coconut oil works wonderfully well with peppermint oil as a carrier, giving you a wonderful scent on top of the anti-headache effects.
Rosemary Oil
Another useful oil is rosemary. This is ideal for getting rid of pain but also as an anti-inflammatory, which is useful in the case of headaches. Rosemary oil has a long history in alternative medicine and is also useful for stress relief; if your headaches are down to stress then rosemary oil could be a good double whammy oil to go for.
If you want to try rosemary oil you will need to mix it with another carrier oil, and again, coconut oil is a good choice. You can then rub a little into your temples or you can add a few drops to your bath.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is one of the most flexible of all the essential oils and is used for a wide variety of different ailments, including relaxation, insomnia, headaches, and stress reduction. If you’re having trouble sleeping, a few drops of lavender oil in your bath should be enough to relax your mind and body and help you nod off quite quickly. In terms of treating headaches with lavender oil, you can either use an oil diffuser and breathe it in, or you can mix it with a carrier oil and massage a little into the temples.
Eucalyptus Oil
Many people develop chronic headaches due to congestion, especially if they have problems with their sinuses. In that case, eucalyptus oil is a great option to go for, whilst also giving you relief from stuffy noses and blocked sinuses. Again, all you need to do is mix with a carrier oil and apply directly to the sinus area or on the chest. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of the oil to your bath instead.
Chamomile Oil
Finally, we have chamomile oil, which is ideal for relaxation and sore muscles, as well as headaches caused by stress and tension. There is a word of warning attached to this one, in that if you are pregnant then you should avoid using chamomile oil. If you’re not pregnant, however, you can mix chamomile oil with a carrier oil and add it to your bath for a totally relaxing treatment.
It’s important to use essential oils carefully and check for any allergies with patch tests before you apply directly to the skin. If you are at all concerned you should speak to your doctor first of all, before you decide to use any of the oils we have mentioned above. For most people, however, essential oils are a fantastic, natural way to reduce headaches without having to resort to powerful painkillers on a regular basis.
