Once dismissed as just a headache, migraines have seen a surge in recent years. A study reported that from the 1990s to 2019, the global prevalence of migraines increased by 16%, with the highest prevalence in South Asia. While medications offer immediate relief, many are drawn to natural, effective solutions that treat the root cause of the problem. Aromatherapy has emerged as a promising treatment to address this crisis.
Migraines and their causes
Migraines are severe headaches accompanied by throbbing pain, neck stiffness, tunnel vision, nausea, loss of appetite, and even sensitivity to light and sound. These headaches can last from a few hours to a few days and significantly impact your daily life. Effective migraine management requires identifying and addressing the underlying causes that cause these severe headaches. Let us discuss some of the factors that can trigger migraines.
Hormonal Fluctuations: Changing hormone levels can sometimes trigger migraines, especially for women. Recognizing and managing hormone fluctuations can help minimize migraine attacks.
Food triggers: Certain foods and substances can trigger migraines. Being mindful of your dietary choices, such as avoiding aged cheeses and monitoring your caffeine and alcohol intake, can help improve migraine control.
stress: Stress is a major migraine trigger and can cause tension headaches that can worsen into migraines. Adopting stress management techniques plays an important role in reducing the chances of a migraine attack.
Sleep Pattern: Both lack of sleep and excessive sleep can lead to the onset of migraines, so establishing healthy sleep habits is recommended for managing migraines.
Environmental factors: Bright lights, loud noises and strong smells can trigger migraines in sensitive people. Recognizing these environmental triggers and making the necessary adjustments can be beneficial for many migraine sufferers.
How Aromatherapy Can Help Relieve MigrainesAromatherapy offers a promising solution to migraine relief. Essential oils used in aromatherapy can be inhaled, applied topically, or incorporated into a bath for therapeutic benefits, easing the debilitating effects of migraines. Here are some essential oils that can cure migraines:
Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil contains menthol, an expectorant, to help relieve stuffy noses, and its cooling properties have the natural power to soothe headaches, ease muscle pain, and relax the body and mind.
Lavender Oil: One of aromatherapy’s most beloved essential oils, lavender oil has anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help relieve pain, reduce stress and anxiety (common migraine triggers) and improve the quality of your sleep.
Eucalyptus Oil: If sinusitis is causing your headaches, you need eucalyptus oil, which helps open up your airways and relax you, relieving the cause of your migraine.
Rosemary Oil: Rich in antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, rosemary oil can boost memory, improve mood, relieve pain, reduce stress and increase alertness.
Chamomile Oil: This versatile oil can improve your health in a variety of ways, from improving sleep patterns and reducing anxiety to relaxing tense muscles and easing migraine symptoms, making it a widely used therapeutic adjunct.
How to Cure Migraines with Essential Oils
Now that we’ve looked at how aromatherapy can help relieve migraines, let’s look at some ways you can use essential oils.
1. Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Rosemary Oil Blend: Take two drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary oils. Mix the oils in a bowl of ice water, soak a face towel in the mixture, squeeze out the excess water, and apply it to the back of your neck just below your skull. Repeat until the migraine subsides.
2. Lavender, Marjoram and Basil Oil Blend: Take 5 drops of lavender oil, 2 drops of marjoram oil, and 2 drops of basil oil. Using the same method as above, place the blended towel on your neck area and wait until the pain subsides.
3. Peppermint and Lavender Blend: Take 3 drops of peppermint oil, 5 drops of lavender oil and 10ml of almond oil. Mix the ingredients and gently massage into the temples of the neck, forehead and back. This blend combines the cooling and analgesic properties of peppermint with the calming effects of lavender.
4. Lavender and rosemary blend: Mix 5 drops of lavender oil, 2 drops of rosemary oil and 10ml of almond oil and massage into your scalp and temples. This blend helps reduce stress, improve circulation and relieve pain.
While essential oils are generally considered safe, it is important to use them responsibly and with proper guidance. Consulting with a licensed aromatherapist or medical professional can ensure proper selection, dilution, and application of essential oils. By incorporating aromatherapy as an alternative approach to migraine management, a person can benefit from the healing powers of nature and reduce reliance on traditional medications. Aromatherapy offers a holistic way to relieve migraines, allowing health issues to be managed naturally.
(Rupal Shabnam Tyagi, Aromatherapy Specialist, Perfumer and Co-Founder, Wikka)
Migraines and their causes
Migraines are severe headaches accompanied by throbbing pain, neck stiffness, tunnel vision, nausea, loss of appetite, and even sensitivity to light and sound. These headaches can last from a few hours to a few days and significantly impact your daily life. Effective migraine management requires identifying and addressing the underlying causes that cause these severe headaches. Let us discuss some of the factors that can trigger migraines.
Hormonal Fluctuations: Changing hormone levels can sometimes trigger migraines, especially for women. Recognizing and managing hormone fluctuations can help minimize migraine attacks.
Food triggers: Certain foods and substances can trigger migraines. Being mindful of your dietary choices, such as avoiding aged cheeses and monitoring your caffeine and alcohol intake, can help improve migraine control.
stress: Stress is a major migraine trigger and can cause tension headaches that can worsen into migraines. Adopting stress management techniques plays an important role in reducing the chances of a migraine attack.
Sleep Pattern: Both lack of sleep and excessive sleep can lead to the onset of migraines, so establishing healthy sleep habits is recommended for managing migraines.
Environmental factors: Bright lights, loud noises and strong smells can trigger migraines in sensitive people. Recognizing these environmental triggers and making the necessary adjustments can be beneficial for many migraine sufferers.
How Aromatherapy Can Help Relieve MigrainesAromatherapy offers a promising solution to migraine relief. Essential oils used in aromatherapy can be inhaled, applied topically, or incorporated into a bath for therapeutic benefits, easing the debilitating effects of migraines. Here are some essential oils that can cure migraines:
Peppermint oil: Peppermint oil contains menthol, an expectorant, to help relieve stuffy noses, and its cooling properties have the natural power to soothe headaches, ease muscle pain, and relax the body and mind.
Lavender Oil: One of aromatherapy’s most beloved essential oils, lavender oil has anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help relieve pain, reduce stress and anxiety (common migraine triggers) and improve the quality of your sleep.
Eucalyptus Oil: If sinusitis is causing your headaches, you need eucalyptus oil, which helps open up your airways and relax you, relieving the cause of your migraine.
Rosemary Oil: Rich in antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, rosemary oil can boost memory, improve mood, relieve pain, reduce stress and increase alertness.
Chamomile Oil: This versatile oil can improve your health in a variety of ways, from improving sleep patterns and reducing anxiety to relaxing tense muscles and easing migraine symptoms, making it a widely used therapeutic adjunct.
How to Cure Migraines with Essential Oils
Now that we’ve looked at how aromatherapy can help relieve migraines, let’s look at some ways you can use essential oils.
1. Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Rosemary Oil Blend: Take two drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary oils. Mix the oils in a bowl of ice water, soak a face towel in the mixture, squeeze out the excess water, and apply it to the back of your neck just below your skull. Repeat until the migraine subsides.
2. Lavender, Marjoram and Basil Oil Blend: Take 5 drops of lavender oil, 2 drops of marjoram oil, and 2 drops of basil oil. Using the same method as above, place the blended towel on your neck area and wait until the pain subsides.
3. Peppermint and Lavender Blend: Take 3 drops of peppermint oil, 5 drops of lavender oil and 10ml of almond oil. Mix the ingredients and gently massage into the temples of the neck, forehead and back. This blend combines the cooling and analgesic properties of peppermint with the calming effects of lavender.
4. Lavender and rosemary blend: Mix 5 drops of lavender oil, 2 drops of rosemary oil and 10ml of almond oil and massage into your scalp and temples. This blend helps reduce stress, improve circulation and relieve pain.
While essential oils are generally considered safe, it is important to use them responsibly and with proper guidance. Consulting with a licensed aromatherapist or medical professional can ensure proper selection, dilution, and application of essential oils. By incorporating aromatherapy as an alternative approach to migraine management, a person can benefit from the healing powers of nature and reduce reliance on traditional medications. Aromatherapy offers a holistic way to relieve migraines, allowing health issues to be managed naturally.
(Rupal Shabnam Tyagi, Aromatherapy Specialist, Perfumer and Co-Founder, Wikka)
