Essential Oils for Relieving Headaches

During this busy time of year the added stress for many can lead to a higher frequency of headaches. Especially ones known as tension headaches. Resulting from a tightening of muscles in your head and neck, most commonly from stress, these headaches can be naturally relaxed away. Along with doing a few simple exercises such as head rolls and scalp massages, creating a topical treatment using essential oils can be very beneficial.

You have a number of options when creating your treatment. A quick one is to mix a few drops each of Lavender and Rosemary in ¼ of a cup of jojoba oil. Allow this to steep a day or two and then transfer to a dark glass bottle. This can be taken with you and applied to your temples, forehead, base of the back of your neck, &/or pressure points. You could also place the above essential oils in a favorite cream of yours for use on your face. This is wise if you have certain skin conditions such as acne and can not use heavy oils on your face for fear of break outs.

Another option is to create a solid stick that can be easily applied whenever you feel a tension headache coming on. This is created much the same as a lip gloss. Simply melt your desired amount of natural bees wax &/or cocoa butter with olive oil to achieve the hardness you desire. A rather stiff consistency that will not melt while in your bag or pocket is preferable. In the melting pot you want to add some dried feverfew and allow this to steep a bit. You may want to use an old tea bag or bit of cheese cloth so that it will be easy to remove the dried herb. Once infused, remove the mixture from the heat and then add your essential oils. Key essential oils are, as mentioned above, Lavender and Rosemary along with Rose and Lemon. Make sure that you find any of the essential oils you use personally pleasing. Research has found people respond better to essential oils which have scents they enjoy. You then can pour your mixture into empty lip balm tubes for easy application to the forehead or pour it into empty lip gloss tins. If you don't have the essential oils listed above, the herbal forms will also work. Essential oils provide a smoother consistency, more potency and better infusion but can easily be interchanged with natural herbal forms.

written by: Marie A. Miczak.

The following oils and spices are useful for relaxation according to http://www.holisticonline.com/

Basil
Benzoin Tincture
Bergamot
Black Pepper
Cajeput
Camomile, Roman
Camphor
Cardamom Seed
Cedarwood
Cinnamon
Clary Sage
Clove
Coriander
Cypress
Eucalyptus

Fennel
Frankincense
Geranium

Ginger
Grapefruit
Hyssop
Jasmine
Juniper
Lavender
Lemon
Lemongrass
Marjoram
Melissa
Myrrh
Neroli

Orange
Patchouli
Palma Rosa
Peppermint
Pine
Rose Otto
Rosemary
Rosewood
Sage
Sandalwood
Tea Tree
Thyme
Ylang Ylang