Essential oils for Headaches?

[ckret01]

I always get really bad headaches either caused by eyestrain, stress etc. I was just trying to find out any home remedies for headaches and came across people ising essential ois such as lavender and peppermint to cure headaches. Has anyone tried this and how does it work? I am desperate for anything.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I work for Bath and Body Works, and we, in the last 6 months, started carrying pure essential oils and the foundations that you can mix them with (lotion, soap, oil, etc). We carry a slew of them, and several are noted to be used for headaches.

ALSO - We have a premixed headache line of aromatherapy, including eye masks, massage cream, tea, and pulse point therapy. I don't struggle with headaches, but I work with several people who do there and they swear by the massage cream. They rub it into their temples and the back of their neck, and it helps get rid of violent headaches. I just bought it for a friend who had a car accident last week and is struggling with headaches.

I don't mean to sound like a salesperson, just know that most people aren't aware we've added the aromotherapy stuff and you might want to check it out, or try to make your own.

Good luck!

 

[PeterPanette]

I have a healing practice, and I adore using essential oils / aromatherapy as part of that. Lavender is very good at easing stress and sinus headaches. I have a special blend of lavender and spearmint that I use. However, in my personal experience, it doesn't seem to work quite as well for migraines.

As much as I'm *all about* holistic healing, I would like to suggest that you have a medical checkup, just to assure yourself that there isn't a more serious cause of your headaches.

Highest Healing,
Charlene

 

[PeterPanette]

Forgot to mention....but often, the first sign of dehydration is a headache. Are you drinking enough water? Even if you're drinking lots of coffee and tea, it doesn't count, because the caffeine makes you even more dehydrated. Next time you get a headache, try drinking two, nice cool glasses of water...and see if that makes any difference.

Charlene

 

[ckret01]

Thanks for the reponses. I do have a few more questions. What are the differnces between the oils (not neccesarily the scents) but arent there different kinds of oils that you are supposed to mix together? Can't I just buy a lavender oil and use it without mixing it with anything or no? Sorry for the questions but I have no idea how to use this stuff and I want to really badly

 

[PeterPanette]

Lavender is a very good "all purpose" oil. Some of its uses are: skin care (most skin types), acne, allergies, athlete's foot, boils, eczema, dandruff, psoriasis, ringworm, scabies, insect bites and stings, insect repellant, nausea, painful menstruation, depression, headache, insomnia, nervous tension, pre-menstrual syndrome, stress-related disorders....etc.

Lavender oil is almost always very safe to apply directly to your skin, unlike most other essential oils, which need to be mixed with a "carrier oil" like grapeseed oil or olive oil, in order to avoid skin irritation. The only cautions with lavender are to avoid using during first trimester of pregnancy or if you have a history of low blood pressure.

Peppermint is a great energy booster, and mental stimulator, and helps with headaches and muscular pains...but shouldn't be used at any stage of pregnancy, of if you have high blood pressure. Also, it can burn/ irritate sensitive skin....so be sure to always add a few drops of it into some carrier oil before applying. If you were to mix this with lavender...that would probably be dilution enough so that it wouldn't be irritating, unless your skin is extremely sensitive.

For headache, first just try inhaling the aroma of the oils. Hold the bottle below your nose and take three deep, slow inhalations. Then, dab a small amount on your fingertips, and lightly massage a little into your temples, between your eyebrows, and at the base of your skull. Relax and think about how good it feels and smells. Think of something that brings you joy.....a favorite pet, a great vacation from the past...anything that makes you feel good.

Never ingest essential oils. Although, there are a couple that can be dabbed on the back of the tongue for different purposes...but I won't get into all that, right now.

Hope this helped!

Charlene

 

[ckret01]

Thank you so very much Charlene for your response. I truly appreciate it I will be looking to buying them and trying it out. I'm glad you answered my question about applying the oils it really helped me to understand how to use them,

 

[Amberle3]

Several years ago I was in Las Vegas and had a horrid headache. I wandered into a drug store and found a product called Migrastick. It's a roll-on blend of lavender and mint. I find it pretty effective. I'd warn not to let it get too near your eyes though, because it will sting (a lot!).

 

[Shelle&Dave]

I used to get horrible headaches from tension and stress. I would usually wake up with them. They were mostly in the back of my head and sometimes also my forehead. My doctor recommended I sleep with a rolled up towel under my neck. I started doing that and have gotten very few headaches since.

It's worth a try.

 

[ckret01]

Shelle,

Thats exactly where I get my headaches on my forehead and the back of my head. I sleep with 2 pillows so Im not sure if a rolled up towel will be the right height of my pillows but I will certainly try that too. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Shelle&Dave]

I used to sleep with 2 pillows and Dr. said that was part of the problem. Now I sleep with one pillow and that rolled up towel. It took a while to get used to it, but I'm so glad I don't get those headaches like I used to. They would even make me nauseous (sp) they got so bad. Sometimes they would last for 3 days!

Part of my problem is also my posture. I slouch big time and it puts a ton of stress on the first couple of vertebrae. My Dr. sent me to physical therapy and they taught me how to strengthen the back muscles I need to stand up straight.

When I do get a headache now my Fiance helps me get rid of it. Every time I have a headache I get this big knot on the back of my neck along the right side. He massages it and pushes on it really hard (it brings tears to my eyes but I make him do it) until it relaxes. After a few minutes my headache starts going away too.

The doctor I was seeing when I first started getting them just kept giving me different prescriptions. Pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, you name it. One appointment I went to she told me that the headaches are God's sign I need a new job and I should just quit. Then she told me I need to go on an anti-depressant. I told her if she just wanted to hand out prescriptions instead of trying to solve this problem I would go somewhere else. I had been seeing her for 6 months for those headaches and she didn't help at all. I don't like taking any medicine (even tylenol ) unless I absolutely have to. I got a copy of my chart that day and made an appointment with the doctor I'm seeing now. He realized what the problem was on my first visit. He's wonderful.

Good luck.

Edited to add: They are called Tension Headaches. Do a search and read up on it. It's interesting. The only medication I've found that works for me is Excedrin for Tension Headaches. Nothing else helps at all. I take that when I have a bad one and I have to go to work.