Essential Oils for Migraines

Essential Oils for Migraines
Find some guidelines on how to relieve it.

More than 28 million people in the United States suffer from migraine and women are 3 times more likely to have it than men.

What is migraine?

If you think that the headaches you get might be migraines but you're not really sure what the symptoms of a migraine are. Let me tell you, what actually is migraine?

Migraine is not just a headache, it is a neurological condition that research has shown is associated with a series of complex changes that occur within the brain and brainstem. These changes are a bit like a biochemical waterfall that, once started, is difficult to stop and they generate all the symptoms that make a migraine.

Essential oils for migraines

Some people can accurately predict when they will get a migraine, can try the following essential oils to avert an attack:

Peppermint
Lemon
Lavender
Basil

Peppermint, with its beneficial effect on pain and nausea and its sharp, fresh smell, would be the only oil I would recommend trying during a migraine-type headache.

Geranium works very well with the migraine type that has something to do with women hormones. If you're having migraine before your period then you can try geranium.

Marjoram and rosemary are used to dilate the capillaries and allowing easier blood to flow.

Method of Application

You can use undiluted peppermint on your head if you can tolerate the scent. Often a couple of drops of the oil on the temples will bring almost instant relief, or you can put 2-3 drops on the occiput with a cold compress on top and some massage to the neck and shoulder can avoid the attack

For some people in the middle of a migraine, the very thought of a smell can make them sick. Please don't use any of the above mentioned oils. This is not the right time for you to treat migraine with aromatherapy.

How to make a cold compress

Fill the bowl with ice water and add 3 drops of each lavender and peppermint. Apply to the temple and forehead and change as soon as they warm.

Tension Muscle Message

You can try to do aromatherapy massage to relieve the tension.

Blend 4 drops of rosemary and 3 drops of lavender to 1/2 ounce of carrier oils. Apply to the neck and shoulder and massage until they relax.

Click here to see how to do the massage

How to mix essential oils to relieve migraine

You can blends 2 drops of each Bay, peppermint and sweet marjoram essential oils.

To use:

You can mix to do an aromatherapy massage. You can mix it with 1/2 oz.carrier oil
You can use it as dry inhalation when you feel the attack has started
Steam inhalation to clear the head
Put it in a bathtub and soak

Reference "Essential oils for migraines"

I. Martin, Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners, (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006)

M. Fontebasso, Migraine and Other Headaches, (Class Publishing (London) Ltd, 2007)

M. Ericksen, Healing with Aromatherapy, (McGraw-Hill Professional, 2000)

V. Sibley, Aromatherapy Solutions, (Hamlyn, 2003).

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