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Aromatherapy
for Natural Headache Relief
By Marge Clark |
Many types of headaches are amenable to natural
headache relief methods. Since the causes vary, the aromatherapy
remedy will also vary.
Sinus Headaches:
We have found that a combination of several different
essential oils works best to ease the pain of a sinus
headache, and ease the congestion that causes the pain. Listed in order
of importance:
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus radiata, if available, since it is most useful
for sinus ailments; however Euc. Globulous or
Smithii will do if that is all that's available.
Peppermint: Clearing, decongesting.
Lavender or Lavandin: for pain relief, relaxation, and antibacterial
properties.
Sweet Basil: for mental clarity, to prevent "brain fog", as well as a
decongestant.
Either inhale directly from a tissue, cotton ball, or,
better yet, nasal inhaler, or dilute in carrier oil of your
choice and massage onto sinus areas (ie, the ridge of bone beneath your
eyes, and the ridges at your eyebrows. Be
very careful NOT to get any in your eyes!
Many also find relief by use of a Neti Pot, using
warmed salt water. (Please do not ever add essential oils to the
Neti Pot. They will irritate the already irritated mucous membranes and
cause a totally different kind of pain!)
Tension Headaches:
The premier oil for Tension Headaches is our old
standby Lavender Essential Oil. Massage a drop into each temple,
and one on the back of your neck. Doing other things, like a restful
warm bath, lying down with a cold pack on your
forehead will help, but often life doesn't allow the opportunity to
tackle the stress directly. At least the
Lavender will relieve this symptom of stress.
Other choices would be Roman Chamomile or Sweet
Marjoram Essential Oils.Migraine Headaches:In "Living Well with
Migraine Disease" author Teri Robert recommends a blend of diluted
Peppermint and Lavender oils massaged lightly
into the temples.
Other essential oils she recommends for Migraine
headache are Chamomile (I would select Roman Chamomile rather than
German), Clary Sage, Jasmine, Rosemary, and Melissa.
The first three on this list are all relaxants, while
most Rosemary oils are stimulants. Melissa Essential Oil is
best known as an anti-viral, but many sources say it is helpful for
migraine relief.
We have had excellent feedback about the use of a 5%
dilution of the Lavender and Peppermint. For a one ounce of
carrier use 15 drops EACH of Peppermint oil and Lavender oil. (For our
10 ml roller bottles, you would use 5 drops
of each essential oil, and fill with the carrier oil of your choice.)
I'd suggest applying to both my wrists, neck pulse
points, a dab just under the nose and a dab at each temple, well
away from the eyes.
Although I hesitate to recommend the neat (undiluted)
or internal use of essential oils, my favorite French mentor
swears by a single drop of Lavandin Super on a sugar cube to banish an
existing Migraine. Please be very sure of
the specific variety of Lavandin you are purchasing; there are several
different Lavandin varieties available, and
the others will not help in this case. My friend says that this is
especially effective with Migraines that either
stem from digestive difficulties or cause digestion problems. It seems
to work first on the digestion, and then
remove the Migraine.
Migraine Preventatives:I have had several clients state
that diffusing Rosemary ch Cineole essential oil in an
aroma lamp (or diffuser) during the night works to ward off migraine
headaches. (This suggestion surprises me,
since Rosemary is a stimulant, not something I would want to diffuse at
bedtime, but I am not a migraine sufferer.)
Sniffing Peppermint straight from the bottle, or on a
tissue or from an inhaler at the first sign of the “aura”
seems to stop a lot of migraines in their tracks.
If a woman tends to get Migraines prior to getting her
period, a blend of Clary Sage, Lavender, Roman Chamomile and
Sweet Marjoram, diluted in carrier oil and massaged either into the neck
and temples OR into the lower back and
abdomen can help prevent hormone related migraines.
MIGRAINE RELIEF BLENDS:
Different blends seem to work for different Migraine
sufferers, so I'm giving a range of selections, some for
massage, some for diffusion.
4 drops lavender
3 drops peppermint
2 drops eucalyptus globulous
2 drops cedarwood
Use in an aromalamp or diffuser. It seems important
that the blend be diffused in the air. We don't recommend this
for a massage blend.
Another diffuser blend, most effective for Hormonal related
Migraines:
10 drops clary sage
12 drops lavendar
3 drops melissa
Migraine Relief Massage Blend:
Equal parts: Lavandin Super or Lavender angustifolia, rosemary cineole
and peppermint essential oils, diluted in
carrier oil and massaged into the head, neck and shoulders may prove
helpful. It will also help with the nausea
that often accompanies a severe headache.
Hope some of these prove helpful to you. You may find
information about these, and other aromatherapy remedies
online at www.naturesgift.com
Written by Marge of Nature's Gift
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Nature's
Gift is a woman owned and operated aromatherapy supplier.
We've been online since 1995 and supply
healthcare professionals, hospitals, hospices, college AT courses,
clinical aromatherapy courses, and, of course,
people who just love use of these healing products.
We are grandmothers, mothers, a single male college student (who
sometimes feels a bit overwhelmed!). We import
oils and other products from all over the world and make them available
for people who expect the best.
We get wonderful feedback from people who say we made a difference in
their lives. Years ago my daughter described
what we do: "Every day, all over the world, you send out boxes full of
joy and healing."
We are among the blessed few who get to do what we love!
Since 1995 - supplying Aromatherapy and
Healthcare Professionals
Blog:
http://naturesgiftaromatherapy.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Madison-TN/Natures-Gift-Aromatherapy/33058217645 |
Visit Nature's Gift
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