Fresh lavender plants at the local garden nursery.
I’ve always loved essential oils for their mood-boosting fragrances. But, after being diagnosed with severe migraines with aura last month, I’m now working more with the healing properties of these scenty little friends.
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Two Essential Oils That Help Me Manage Migraines
Since I’m new to this form of migraine management, I’ve only tried a few, but so far the ones that help reduce the duration of a migraine seem to be lavender and peppermint essential oils.
A clinical trial published in the medical peer-reviewed journal European Neurology shares that after inhaling lavender essential oil for fifteen minutes during a migraine, the headache severity was reduced. The researchers concluded, “inhalation of lavender essential oil may be an effective and safe treatment modality in acute management of migraine headaches.”
Sweet, bring on the lavender!
So what about peppermint oil? It also tends to soothe head pains. In my research, I learned that the topical application of peppermint oil can help ease tension headaches. For me, this type of headache seems to precede or accompany a migraine.
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How I Use Essential Oils During a Migraine
I’ve been experimenting with how to use both lavender and peppermint oils to get over a migraine faster. This is what I’ve tried so far, with success:
Diffuse a few drops of the oil in a small room humidifier or an essential oil diffuser. (This is the cool mist humidifier in my bedroom.)
Mix a few drops of essential oil with a carrier oil, then apply it to the skin. I’ve been mixing peppermint oil with jojoba oil and applying it to my chest and temples. I also breathe deep into the residual mixture on my hands after application. I’ve been placing lavender oil on my temples and wrists.
Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few drops of essential oil. Mist the room with the scent. I keep misting every few minutes right over myself so I can inhale the fragrance.
Add a few drops of the oil to the far corner of your shower or bathtub water. The fragrance disperses and soothes as the steam and water mingle with the oil.
Wear that diffuse essential oils. I have a few bracelets with lava stone and wooden beans that are designed to absorb a few drops of essential oils. As you move about and your skin warms the bracelets, the fragrance it emitted.
Bonus tip: I know it’s not an essential oil, but I’ve also been tucking a lavender-filled sachet into my pillowcase at night to help me drift off. I think it helps me stay relaxed and might ward off nighttime migraine attacks.
Do you use essential oils to help manage headaches and migraines? I’m all ears. Please share your insight with me.
Until next time,
Choose healthy!
Angela
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