Have you ever suffered from a severe, throbbing headache that lasted for hours? You may have a migraine. A migraine is an intense headache accompanied by throbbing pain, stiff neck, tunnel vision, nausea, loss of appetite, and sensitivity to light and sound. Such severe headaches can seriously affect your daily life. While enduring this debilitating pain can be worrying, aromatherapy may be a ray of hope that can save you from migraines.
Before we explain how aromatherapy can help relieve migraines, let’s identify what causes them.
Migraines can be triggered by a variety of factors, including hormonal fluctuations. Recognizing and managing these changes, especially for women, can help minimize headaches. Dietary choices such as eating aged cheeses and excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol can be triggers. Developing conscious eating habits is important in controlling migraines. Stress is a major factor as it can cause tension headaches, which can develop into migraines. Adopting stress management techniques becomes important. Moreover, lack of sleep or excessive sleep also contributes to the development of migraines, so establishing healthy sleep patterns is essential.
How Aromatherapy Can Help Relieve Migraines
Aromatherapy is a natural remedy for fighting migraines. The essential oils used in aromatherapy can be inhaled, applied topically, or incorporated into a bath ritual to provide therapeutic benefits and combat the debilitating effects of migraines. Let’s take a look at some essential oils that can help relieve migraines.
Peppermint oil:
Peppermint oil has cooling and expectorant properties, can help clear stuffy nose, soothe headaches, ease muscle pain, and promote relaxation.
Lavender Oil:
Known for its anti-anxiety, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, lavender oil can relieve pain, reduce stress and anxiety (common migraine triggers) and improve sleep quality.
Eucalyptus Oil:
If blocked sinuses are causing your headaches, eucalyptus oil can help open your airways and relax you, relieving your migraine.
Rosemary Oil:
With antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, rosemary oil can enhance memory, relieve pain, reduce stress and improve mood.
Chamomile Oil: This versatile oil is a widely used therapeutic aid that can improve sleep patterns, reduce anxiety, relax tense muscles and ease migraine symptoms.
How to Use Essential Oils to Relieve Migraines
Eucalyptus, Peppermint and Rosemary Oil Blend:
1. Add 2 drops each of eucalyptus, peppermint, and rosemary oil to a bowl of ice water.
2. Dip a face towel into the mixture, squeeze out excess water, and place it on the back of your neck just below your skull.
3. Repeat until the migraine subsides.
Lavender, Marjoram and Basil Oil Blend:
1. Mix 5 drops of lavender oil, 2 drops of marjoram oil, and 2 drops of basil oil.
2. Place the blended towel on your neck until the pain subsides.
Peppermint & Lavender Blend:
1. Mix 3 drops of peppermint oil, 5 drops of lavender oil, and 10ml of almond oil.
2. Gently massage the temples, forehead and back of the neck for a cooling and soothing effect.
Lavender and Rosemary Blend:
1. Mix 5 drops of lavender oil, 2 drops of rosemary oil, and 10ml of almond oil.
2. Massage your scalp and temples to reduce stress, improve circulation and relieve pain.
While essential oils are generally considered safe, it is important to use them with proper guidance. Consulting with a licensed aromatherapist or medical professional can ensure proper selection, dilution, and application of essential oils. By incorporating aromatherapy and understanding the factors that trigger migraines, a person can benefit from the healing powers of nature.
Rupal Shabnam Tyagi, aromatherapy expert, perfumer and co-founder of Wikka
