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.

Using Aromatherapy for Migraine Headaches

Migraine headaches are excruciating and it seems that there is no way to get rid of them and it completely affects every aspect of the way a person functions. People often try over the counter remedies or spend dollars on prescription pills or other methods. Or other times, they enclose themselves into a completely dark room with a cold pack across their heads. Sometimes people overlook something quite so simple as aromatherapy for migraine headaches.

Aromatherapy for migraine headaches are often found in the form of lotions, shower gels and lotions, room mists and sprays, diffusers, candles, neck wraps, bath salts, essential oils and several other forms. The essential oils can even be added to a hot steamy sink of water while a person stands over and inhales the steam such as it were a humidifier (not recommended for people with asthma).

These products have been derived from various plants that have compounds of essential oils that are used for aromatherapy for migraine headaches. Sometimes a combination of these various aromatherapy herbs may also be useful.

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.

Lavender has analgesic and anti inflammatory properties so it can relieve migrain once it start

If a person's migraine stems from stress or depression, lemon can help aid in relief. It is also advised that when purchasing essential oils for migraine headaches, people should buy the purest form they can find.

Method of Application

A few recipes are available for people hoping to use essential oils for migraine headaches before they sneak up. However, some of these essential oils can be used to at least eliminate some of the pain. The recipes are varying and typically for migraines, the essential oils are used to be massaged to the temples of the head or to bathe in the essential oils.

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 with a cold compress on top and some massage to the neck and shoulder, this way 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.

Other way, you can dilute it with carrier oil, like jojoba or sesame oil (half ounce) with 5 drops of above oils, then message to your back, shoulder and temples

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.

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

Roman chamomile, sandalwood, rosemary and eucalyptus are all effective essential oils for migraines when used accordingly in recipes, using a recommended number of drops of the oils. However, they can also be used to a diffuser and used two to three times per day for aromatherapy. Once a person finds the right combination, they will soon find relief using aromatherapy for migraine headaches.

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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