Goodness of essential oils & headache

Those discomforting bouts of headaches could ruin your day. There could be a number of reasons leading to headaches. These could include, stress, fatigue, allergies, change in sleeping patterns, hormonal fluctuations or imbalances, nutritional deficiencies, constipation, etc. But the essential oils could bring you back to the word of sanity and goodness within no time. They are a safe alternative to medicines that usually leave an impact on the vital organs.

These below listed oils have therapeutic and curative properties and help relieve minor headaches, improve your mood.

Check out some of these essential oils that could aid reduce the need to ingest pain medication.

Peppermint oil: An extraction of the peppermint plant, the oil is primarily edible and used in cosmetics. It is a cross between water mint and spear mint and has significant amount of menthol – the cooling agent. It contracts the muscles and stimulates blood flow – especially when gently rubbed on the forehead, temples, shoulders and neck. However, it may interfere with sleep.

Lavender: It is an anti-depressant, anticonvulsant and helps treat anxiety disorders. It induces sleep with the help of its calming properties which helps the person relax.  The aromatic and application of the oil soothes the limbic system – which is responsible depression and is effective in treating certain neurological conditions and disorders.  The oil can also be inhaled for 10-15 minutes, applied on the inside of wrists, temples and neck or a few drops be added to warm-water just before a bath for better results. Though the oil can be used anytime during the day, best results have been seen when applied just before sleeping.

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus works as an expectorant agent. It is an excellent mood enhancer and restores emotional stability, curbs edema formation and inflammatory effects. It de-toxicates the body from harmful microorganisms and is effective on blocked nasal airways. The oil is also known for easing respiratory ailments such as sore throat, improves breathing and more. A couple of oil drops along with a carrier oil rubbed on the chest, neck, temples works wonders within minutes for sinus triggered headaches.

Helichrysum: Laden with anti-inflammatory properties, Helichrysum essential oil makes it extremely powerful and has been in use since ancient days to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Frankincense: This essential oil is extremely good at treating headaches – especially migraines – by just rubbing a couple of oil drops on the lips so that you can inhale it easily. It can be used along with sweet almond oil for application.  The flip side of this oil is that it could cause nausea, skin rashes and stomach pain. Expecting mothers must watch out.

Rosemary: This essential oil improves circulating, is anti-inflammatory and has analgesic properties. It soothes muscle jerks, pain, irons out sleeping patterns, calms the nervous system, reduces stress, aids digestion and improves alertness.   Also, a drop of the oil can be added to soup or water and consumed. Similarly, rosemary oil has repeatedly given excellent results when mixed with two drops of peppermint oil, teaspoon of coconut oil it is massaged on the forehead.

Method:

Gentle massage: Massage a few drops of essential oil along with carrier oil like olive, jojoba etc on the temples, shoulders and neck. Make sure it is away from the eyes.

Inhaling: Add a few drops of the oil to a bowl containing boiled water. Using a towel to cover your head move close to the container and breathe in slowly. If you need to carry it, put 4-5 drops of oil on a cotton ball and zip lock it. You can also rub a few drops on your hand or inside of the wrist.

Cold/warm compress:  Add about 4-5 drops of oil to cold or warm water. Soak an end of a cloth and apply it on the forehead, shoulders and neck to improve circulation.

Add to bath water: Add 5-10 drops of the essential oil to a bucket of water and take a bath with it. Those with sensitive skin can dilute it with a tablespoon of carrier oil.

Caution

Though most essential oils are safe enough to be applied on the skin or consumed in one or two drops, it is always better for those with sensitive skins to dilute it before application.  The essential oils merely provide you relief from headaches. But just in case you suffer from repeated bouts of headache it is an indication of an underlying medical issue.

–windowtonews