Do you turn to prescription or over the counter drugs for headaches? That used to be me.
I suffered from headaches for many years – from terrible migraines where I could not function, to headaches that pounded all day long to a lesser degree.
I tried everything from prescription drugs including self-injections to heavy doses of Ibuprofen. Between the side effects and the fact that most of the time these drugs merely took the edge off, I turned to more natural methods to solve the problem.
I learned that many health problems can be treated and supported with self-care through eating clean, unprocessed foods, supplementing with vitamins and using essential oils.
Today I want to share with you my top five essential oils that I use for headaches. I don’t get them often anymore due to clean eating and a healthful lifestyle, but when I do, essential oils are a great support.
Why Essential Oils for Headaches?
When I was first introduced to essential oils at a get together few years ago, I got the impression that this was a fad or a trend that would pass. So, I never took them seriously.
Did you get that impression too?
I even had a few family members that used the oils consistently and although they had a lot of enthusiasm for the oils, the amazing qualities of the oils was not imparted to me in a way that made sense. So, again, I didn’t see oils as a worthy contribution to support my health.
It wasn’t until years later that, through intense research, I discovered the true power of essential oils to support a healthy lifestyle.
I could kick myself for waiting so long to find out – but I’m glad I finally did!
Essential oils go way beyond the beautiful fragrances they exude. They are aromatic compounds extracted (through a variety of methods) from many parts of plants such as seeds, bark, stems, roots, and flowers.
Essential oils have been used medicinally throughout history for a few thousand years for many types of health conditions ranging from emotional, mental and physical.
In my quest for natural solutions that are safe and have positive, healthful effects, essential oils truly had the qualities I was looking for.
Plus, they are simple to use.
Although they are called, “oils”, they are not oily at all.
I can tell you that after I did my research, I couldn’t wait to get started!
How to Use Essential Oils
There are three main ways to use essential oils:
Aromatic
Diffusing essential oils is my favorite method of use. Not only does the air smell wonderful and pure, but I’ve been enjoying the benefits. For example, diffusing Lavender at night helps me sleep soundly. Or I love diffusing Lemongrass during the day to help support mental fatigue.
Diffusers are a simple method to derive the benefits that essential oils have to offer.
Topical
You can apply essential oils topically as they are easily absorbed into your skin. Although some oils can be directly applied to skin, it’s recommended to use a carrier oil for many. My favorite carrior oil is fractionated coconut oil. It helps to “carry” the essential oil onto your skin.
Plus, essential oils go a lot further when using a carrier oil.
Internal
Used as a dietary supplement, essential oils can help support many health conditions.
My Favorite Essential Oils for Headaches
Many people are fortunate and don’t experience a lot of headaches. I am not so fortunate! My body is very sensitive to everything from the food I ingest to the environment around me.
Headaches usually start at the most inconvenient times, right? Bam! A headache shows up and my day is ruined.
I didn’t like the idea of taking ibuprofen or another pain medication every time a headache started so I sought out more natural methods to sooth my aching head!
Using essential oils for headaches was new to me. They may be new for you too! So today I want to share how I use them to sooth my headaches away!
One key thing about essential oils is that they are not a pain reliever. Instead, the oils can help support the underlying problem that causes the headache.
For example, some of my headaches are triggered by anxiety or stress related matters. In my personal experience, addressing the real issues helps to ease the headache.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil has many uses including as tension reliever. How many headaches are caused by tension?
A lot!
You can apply it topically to relieve tension by rubbing some on your temples.
It can also promote feelings of clear airways and easy breathing when diffused, which is helpful for headaches caused by allergy problems.
Lavender
Lavender is widely used for its calming and relaxing qualities and helps to ease feelings of tension. You can also take it internally to reduce anxious feelings.
Rubbing a little on my temples or the back of my neck is very helpful and calming.
I love diffusing Lavender essential oil at night. Another headache trigger for me is not getting enough sleep. Insomnia has made good sleep a real challenge for me and Lavender helps send me to sleepyland for the entire night. That makes a huge difference in whether I get a headache or not the next day.
So getting to the root of the problem is a way that essential oils can help.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus oils can help lessen those feelings of tension and promote feelings of relaxation. I find that tension type of headaches get worse as I stress more over having the headache.
Ever feel that way? Relieving my feelings of tension help ease up on the headache.
It can also promote feelings of clear breathing and open airways when plagued by those nasty sinus problems that cause headaches.
Rosemary
Rosemary is wonderful as a support for healthy respiratory function. For me, with all my allergies, keeping my respiratory function healthy has made a big difference in the number of headaches I get.
It also helps reduce nervous tension which is often the underlying cause of many of my headaches.
Have you ever gotten a headache due to a digestion problem? Yep, me too! Good news – Rosemary may help to support healthy digestion.
You can so mix equal parts Rosemary and Lavender for stress reduction.
Marjoram
Marjoram is valued for its calming properties and positive effect on the nervous system. It’s wonderful for emotional stress. Anyone with kids must know that type of stress. Am I right?
You can apply it to the back of your neck. It also mixes well with Lavender and Rosemary.
How to Purchase Essential Oils
When I discovered essential oils, I did months of research before I purchased any.
Self-education is the first key step to self-care. I hope that essential oils can help change your life in a positive way as they did mine!
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