Posts Tagged ‘essential oils for headaches’

Aromatherapy Headache Relief

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009

Nothing beats a relaxing head massage, especially when you’ve got a pounding headache. Unfortunately, sometimes headaches can be so severe that even a good massage doesn’t help to alleviate the pain. This is where aromatherapy can help.

Aromatherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses the extracts from different plants to promote healing. Although the name suggests that aromatherapy works on smell alone, the truth is that most of the ingredients used in aromatherapy also have some intrinsic medicinal value. So, in effect, a cure is achieved by combining the medicinal property of these aromatic compounds along with the soothing or enlivening power of their smell.

The plant extracts that are used in aromatherapy are known as essential oils. These essential oils are extracted from various parts of the plant using different methods such as steam distillation and cold pressing. These essential oils are very potent in nature and must never be applied directly on the skin. However, when combined with a carrier oil, such as almond oil or jojoba oil, they may be massaged onto the skin. This form of massage therapy is known as aromatherapy massage and is particularly useful in getting rid of nasty lingering headaches that just refuse to go away.

Essential oils for Headache Treatment

The aromatherapy essential oils that can be used to provide relief from a headache are:

  • Peppermint essential oil: Peppermint is famous all over the world for its cooling effect and this property of peppermint essential oil can also be used to cool the head and alleviate headaches.
  • Lavender essential oil: It has a very soothing smell and aids in inducing a deep sense of relaxation. This is very useful in relieving stress induced headaches.
  • Sandalwood essential oil: It is well known for its medicinal properties. In addition to being a very good essential oil for curing depression and anxiety, it is also used in treating headaches caused by stress and anxiety.
  • Rosemary essential oil: It has a fresh smell and is very useful in alleviating muscular tension by increasing the circulation of blood. It can be used in a soothing aromatherapy massage to cure stiff and tense muscles and headaches.
  • Eucalyptus essential oil: Another, Fresh smelling oil, it is used in a number of massage lotions and ointments. This is due to its peculiar property, whereby it cools the surface of the skin while simultaneously warming the muscles below. This amazing property of this oil can be used to good effect in curing headaches and reducing muscular tension.

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Aromatherapy Headaches Treatment

Friday, April 24th, 2009

A headache is a simple thing that affects almost everybody, and yet, it can cause a lot of discomfort to people and can sometimes even be debilitating. Fortunately, aromatherapy is very good for treating headaches, and in this post we’ll talk about some aromatherapy based possible treatments. Keep in mind, though that headaches are often symptoms of some other illness in the body (for instance, dehydration) and it’s important to identify and correct whatever is causing the problem.

Some of the essential oils that are helpful in treating headaches are chamomile, cinnamon, clove, ginger, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, marjoram, and patchouli. Peppermint, eucalyptus, and lavender are especially useful in treating headaches. These essential oils can be applied in different ways, and it is important to remember that different methods and oils affect people differently. Different types of headaches also need different treatments.

Cold compresses work very well for most people, but some people also prefer hot compresses. You can experiment with both to find out which one suits you. You can make a cold compress with chamomile, eucalyptus, or lavender and apply this to your forehead. Change the compress when the towel reaches room temperature.

Migraines can be especially painful, and in some serious cases, can be debilitating. These headaches respond best to a blend of ginger and lavender. You can warm up some water with a few drop of oil in them, and dip your hands in the water for some quick relief.

Cluster headaches can often be very painful and difficult to treat. You can use a cold compress to treat these, but also apply a cream made from capsaicin, the substance that gives cayenne peppers their kick. Apply it on your temples (but away from eyes). This cream is available in aromatherapy stores.

An aromatherapy bath can often have wondrous effects. Fill up a tub with warm water, and add a few drops of an essential oil of your choice. Let it stand for a few minutes, and then get in the bath. Jasmine and chamomile have relaxing and healing powers effects, and can help relieve the stresses that cause the headache.

If you’re out at work, and don’t have the time to do any of these, then you can dab a few drops of essential oil onto a handkerchief. Keep taking whiffs from this handkerchief to help relieve the headache.

If you have the time, you can make perform an aromatherapy massage for your head. Use a carrier oil that suits you, and mix the essential oil into this and get someone to softly massage it into your temples or scalp. Remember that this may not suit some people.

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