Aromatherapy & Headaches
Using essential oils to reduce the symptoms of headaches
Aromatherapy has many health uses and is known to be successful in reducing and eliminating headaches.
People tend to accept headaches as a part of life and then take a couple of analgesics to ward off the pain. If headaches become too frequent or too painful then a doctor might prescribe something stronger. What really needs to be done is to figure out the causes of the headaches and treat the causes. Many can be helped with essential oils.
Headaches Can be Sign of Underlying Condition
Headaches can be a symptom of an underlying condition, something not quite right in the body. For instance, common conditions such as depression, panic, anxiety, sleep disorders and stomach upsets can trigger a headache.
Headaches and Depression
When a headache starts, assess the body for other symptoms. Look for lethargy, sadness, fatigue and other symptoms of depression. If depression may be the cause of the headache, talk to a friend or arrange to see a counselor. Meanwhile, drop some Orange essential oil on to the fingers and massage temples. At home, relax in a warm bath with Sandalwood essential oil and Lemongrass essential oil, both of which are very inspiring and comforting essential oils.
Headaches and Panic Attacks
If symptoms include a pounding heart and rapid breathing, this could be a feeling of panic, signaling the onset of a panic attack. Apply Ylang ylang essential oil to the fingers and massage into the temples while breathing deeply. Other oils for panic headaches are Patchouli essential oil and Bergamot essential oil. Diffuse them in an aromatherapy diffuser or apply to a cotton ball, or as a headache comes on inhale deeply from the bottle. A massage with these essential oils blended together is wonderful.
Anxiety Tension Headaches
Headaches caused by anxiety tension are very common. Signs of anxiety tension headaches include sleep problems, fatigue, irritability and loss of appetite. Symptoms may last from 30 minutes to as long as a week. The three essential oils recommended to reduce anxiety tension headaches are Lavender essential oil, Basil essential oil and Orange essential oil. Start by diffusing lavender essential oil in the workplace. Most people in an office environment accept the diffusing of lavender essential oil as it helps to keep everyone calm and relaxed. Keep these oils handy at all times and use them whenever a tension headache begins. Diffuse them in the car using a Aroma Car diffuser, diffuse them around the home or add them to a massage oil and rub around the temples and neck.
Stomach Complaints and Headaches
Some headaches are caused by stomach complaints. Over-eating, food allergies, intestinal parasites, constipation and stomach flues can all cause headaches, particularly in children. The essential oils recommended for headaches due to stomach complaints are ginger essential oil, peppermint essential oil and lemon essential oil. Add peppermint essential oil to the fingers and massage the temples. Ginger essential oil and Lemon essential oil can be diffused in the room in an aromatherapy diffuser. Another way to use essential oils to reduce the pain of headaches is to massage the tummy. Put 10 drops of ginger essential oil and 10 drops of lemon essential oil into 30mls of carrier oil (avocado, sweet almond or jojoba) and massage in a clockwise direction, following the way the food passes through the colon. This assists the peristaltic movement.
No matter the cause of the headache there are essential oils to help to reduce and eliminate headaches.
*This is educational information and any opinions expressed here-in do not replace professional medical advice. If you are ill, see a suitably qualified medical practitioner.*
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