8 Best Essential Oils for Headache: Always One For You.

This is the ultimate guide to choosing the Essential Oil that will help relieve you from headache. Here is a list of the best oils for headache.

The essential oil has medicinal effects on the body. Essential oil is processed from compounds extracted from plants.

It is inhaled or applied to the skin in its dilute form. The oil stimulates your smell and areas of the brain responsible for long-term memory.

Different essential oils serve distinct purposes. Some relieve stress, calm your nerves, improve digestion,  increase energy levels, or enhance relaxation. However, in this article, we will only focus on essential oils that can relieve headaches.

Essential Oils

Essential oil is a concentrated liquid extracted from plant compounds. The compounds are taken out of flowers, roots, stems, leaves, and barks.

Before being used, the essential oils are diluted in carrier oils. Examples of carrier oils include coconut oil, almond oil, or olive oil.

Essential oils are named that way because of their essence. The manufactures aim to capture the plant's scent and flavor. The essential oil can be applied to your skin or inhaled. When applied to your skin, some compounds of the oil are absorbed.

Inhaling the essential oil excites the brain and particularly the limbic system. The limbic system is the part of the brain which controls emotions and memory. It regulates some functions of the brain when stimulated.

The limbic system can also control other functions like heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.

Headache

Headache is a pain in any region of the head. It can occur on one or both sides of the head. It can occur on different parts of the head too. You may experience a throbbing pain, sharp or dull pain. The pain can last for a few minutes or may even go for several days.

Causes of Headache

Primary Headache

This headache results from problems involving the structures of the head. The headache is not caused by other underlying illnesses.

They result from problems in the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and chemicals imbalance in the brain.

• Causes of primary headache

Cranial Neuralgias, Facial Pain

This type of headache results from inflammation of the cranial nerves or nerve pain.

Symptoms of headaches include pain in different parts of the head with no regular pattern. It may cause pressure on the temples or over the eyebrows. The pain is not crippling and may allow you to continue with your daily routine.

Treatment methods may include over the counter medicine, home remedies. Essential oils can also treat headaches.

Essential Oils for Headache

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is extracted from the peppermint plant. Peppermint plant is a hybrid between water mint and spearmint.

The essential oil is extracted from the plant's leaves. It is concentrated. It is mostly used in aromatherapy. The dilute version of peppermint oil is applied to the skin.

Peppermint contains compounds called menthol and menthone. These compounds give it a cool and refreshing taste and smell.

The application of peppermint oil relieves headaches. The peppermint oil is diluted using a carrier oil like coconut oil. The diluted peppermint oil is applied in the head to relieve tension, headache, and migraine.

The experts at Kumi suggest applying diluted peppermint oil to the head to relieve headaches, tension, and migraine.

Rosemary Oil

The rosemary oil is extracted from the rosemary plant. This plant is commonly used as a food seasoning.

The oil is extracted from the leaves. It contains no fats. It has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It also aids in improving the circulation of blood in the body.

Rosemary oil can help people suffering from insomnia. It also eases depression and anxiety. Sleep deprivation could lead to headaches.

You can use it by applying it to your head. You can also inhale it or use it in your bath to ease the pain.

Lavender Oil

The lavender oil is extracted from the lavender plant. It can help ease the effects of insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Migraines are triggered by stress and anxiety. Therefore, lavender oil can help prevent migraines.

The application of the oil on the head can relieve headaches. Inhaling can help relieve you from migraines.

Eucalyptus Oil

The oil is extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree. The blue gum is the largest source of eucalyptus oil.

The oil has a woodsy scent. It contains compounds from the eucalyptus tree. The compounds include eucalyptols, flavonoids, antioxidants, and tannins.

Inhaling the oil may help to open up the nasal passage. It results in reduced sinus pressure that causes headaches.

The oil can also be used to relieve backaches, muscle aches, and sprains.

The oil is diluted to a carrier oil like castor or coconut oil. The diluted oil is applied to the chest or inhaled.

Chamomile Oil

The oil is extracted from the chamomile plant. It is extracted from the flower of the plant. There are two types of chamomile oil. They are German and Roman chamomile. The main compound found in the oil is called chamazulene.

It has anti-inflammatory effects that could help reduce headaches. It also eases the effects of anxiety, depression, and headaches. Chamomile tea has a relaxing effect on the body. Chamomile oil also has that same effect.

The oil is inhaled or added to your bath to relieve pain and headache. Pregnant women should not use it because it may lead to a miscarriage.

Ginger Oil

The part used to extract the oil is called the rhizome. The rhizome looks like a root. However, it is an underground stem. The oil is obtained after the distillation process is completed on the rhizome. Ginger oil is famous for having a strong warm scent.

Ginger oil has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce nausea. It is effective in the treatment of migraines.

It increases the pumping of blood throughout the body. It reduces the level of cholesterol in the body. Its anti-oxidant nature helps in preventing the abnormal growth of cells from causing cancer.

Frankincense Oil

The oil is extracted from a tree called Boswellia. Its anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve cluster headaches that are caused by pain in other muscles.

The oil has a spicy smell. It can either be inhaled or applied to ease the pain. It is an anti-oxidant. It prevents cells from being damaged.

It reduces depression, stress, and anxiety. It can help you relax when you inhale its aroma. The pleasant smell makes the heart rate to slow down and aligns the nervous system.

Geranium Oil

The oil is extracted from the leaves of a plant called the Pelargonium graveolens. The plant has different varieties. It can be used in aromatherapy to treat headaches and other conditions.

Geranium is a perfect remedy if you suspect your headache is caused by premenstrual syndrome; you can rub your tummy with geranium oil. Massage it in a circular motion to feel relief. You can add a few tablespoons to your bath. Geranium oil can be mixed with lavender to increase its effectiveness. It is a good remedy.

Conclusion

Different essential oils serve different purposes. Some help in relieving muscle pain while others calm the nerve. Some increase relaxation while others treat headaches.

A headache is pain felt in any region of the head. A primary headache is caused by a problem in the structure of the head. It is caused when there is a problem in any part of the head.

On the other hand, secondary headache is caused by other illnesses. These illnesses include infections, brain tumors, or pregnancy. A different type of headache is caused by nerve pain of inflammation in the cranial nerves.

A common remedy for these different types of headaches is the use of essential oils. These essential oils are applied to the skin or inhales. Their interaction with the body may result in a reduced heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure.