Aroma Therapy For Headaches

Aromatherapy for headaches is the use of the essential aromatic oils or other parts of some herbs to target and help soothe headaches. Sometimes practitioners will couple aromatherapy with massage to relax muscles and reduce stress that can trigger or exacerbate a headache. The term “headache” represents a broad scope of symptoms and conditions that range from a minor annoyance to a serious medical emergency. Always consult your health-care professional before self-treating a severe headache or if your headache persists.

Aromatherapy History

The practice of herbal healing has utilized aromatherapy for many centuries, according to Relieve-Migraine-Headache.com. Through much experimentation in many cultures, medical herbalists have discovered that some herbal oils, when inhaled, affect a part of the brain that stimulates emotions and memories. In France and parts of Western Europe, aromatherapy is a conventional form of medical therapy with roots in the Middle Ages, notes Medical News Today. Most aromatherapists practicing traditional aromatherapy use a holistic treatment approach, which means they will not focus on just your headache but will treat your whole body. Always check with your health-care provider before beginning aromatherapy treatments for headaches.

Types of Aromatherapy Oils for Headaches

Herbalists believe that some herbal oils have sedative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects that help patients relax. Relaxation and stress relief may help relieve a headache. When the treatment calls for the essential oil to come in contact with your skin, always mix it with a carrier oil, such as almond or sunflower oil, to avoid irritation. You can usually achieve an effective mix by using up to 10 drops of the essential oil in a tablespoon of the carrier oil, according to Penelope Ody, author of "The Complete Medicinal Herbal." Some of the most effective essential aromatic oils for headaches are peppermint, lavender, citrus, sandalwood, rose, basil, rosemary and eucalyptus.

Features of Aromatherapy Headache Treatments

You can enjoy an aromatherapy treatment by filling the air around you with the scent you desire by using an aerial diffuser. Some vaporizers have a special pouch to accept essential oils and mix them with water before spraying. You can also use wooden diffuser reeds dipped in essential oil to slowly permeate a room. A warm bath to which a few drops of lavender or sandalwood oil have been added is a common headache relief treatment. Aromatic eye pillows and aromatherapy massages also may help relieve your headache.

Expert Insight

Headaches are typically symptoms related to another cause, such as nervous tension, muscle strain, food ingestion or disease. A study conducted at Ohio State University and published in "Psychoneuroendocrinology" found that although aromatherapy may contribute to a person's well-being, no evidence exists to prove aromatherapy cures illness or heals wounds. Professors conducting the study noted in their report that some patients in the study said they felt better after aromatherapy. When a patient reports a treatment makes him feel better, doctors can't assert the treatment isn't a health improvement, according to Professor William Malarkey of Ohio State University, despite the lack of scientific evidence.

Cautions

If you are taking any prescribed medications, always ask your pharmacist or health-care professional if any herbs or essential oils will interact with that medication or interfere with its actions. As with any remedy, always take recommended doses of aromatherapy. Too much or too little may make your headache worse. Some people have allergic reactions to essential oils. Always tell your medical herbalist or other health care provider if you suffer skin irritation or other adverse effects from aromatherapy.