There are various causes that can contribute or lead to headaches such as chronic migraine, sinus, allergies, emotional stress, lack of sleep, insomnia, side effects of certain medications, prolonged poor posture and more. Here is a list of essential oils to try out or incorporate into your self care routine when you’re experiencing headaches or other issues that may lead to headaches.
Basil
Other than being fragrant and flavorful when added to cooking, basil essential oil can inspire you to achieve a state of mind that is calm, clear and alert. This is especially beneficial for those who have short or poor attention span. The warm, vibrant and herbaceous scent is soothing for headaches, stress, fatigue, sinus congestion and allergies. It also blends well with citrus and floral scents such as grapefruit, lemon, geranium, lavender and neroli.
Cypress
Cypress essential oil is known for being a traditional remedy for multiple ailments such as headaches, colds, coughs, sore muscles and some skin conditions. Its woody, smoky and earthy scent helps to stimulate deeper breathing with ease and positively influence one’s mood. It is also known to blend well with various types of scents from flowery (Clary sage, geranium, lavender), citrusy (bergamot, lemon, lime), and woody (cedarwood, sandalwood, pine).
If your headaches are caused by sinus or allergies, then try eucalyptus essential oil. It’s loaded beneficial properties that address multiple issues such as headaches, colds, sinus, mucous congestion, fatigue and more. Its cooling and refreshing scent is a natural anti-septic and expectorant, making it easier to expel stubborn mucous stuck in the respiratory tract and facilitating more relaxed breathing. Hence, clearing congestion and clearing the mind, leading to improved focus and productivity.
If you’re getting headaches due to lack of sleep, lavender essential oil is the way to go. It is both an analgesic and a sedative. Its mildly sweet and floral scent calms you down and alleviates headaches, motion sickness and emotional discomfort. A few drops smoothed onto your pillow at night helps you to fall asleep faster and deeper with less sleep disturbances.
Chamomile
Chamomile has been reputed for being a healing herb so it’s no surprise that it would be in this list. Just like lavender, if the source of your headache is from lack of sleep, chamomile essential oil promotes faster onset of restful sleep with its naturally sedating properties. On top of that, it is also anti-inflammatory. When diluted and applied topically, it can relieve neck and body soreness which is linked to getting insufficient rest and getting headaches as a result from that.
Just like basil, lemongrass is often added to food as a natural flavor enhancer. Its crisp, robust and lemony scent is naturally uplifting, giving a boost of energy and alleviating irritability and lethargy. Its analgesic and anti-viral properties have been found to reduce fever, headaches and muscle pain. Furthermore, lemongrass essential oil is a natural carminative and relaxant, helpful for those who have digestive issues and those who are suffering from insomnia.
Blending them together…
Here are some of our favorite blends to help soothe your aching heads. We have recipes below for diffusing as well as rolling on.
Lavender + Orange + Cedarwood
If lack of restful sleep and stress are what’s causing your headaches, give this peaceful blend a try. Lavender is one of the most reputable de-stressing and sedating essential oils. Orange tackles factors that causes or worsens headaches such as seasonal allergies and stressful moods. Cedarwood manages the mind’s hyperactivity and boosts mental clarity, reducing headaches at the same time.
| 100ml water | 200ml water | 10ml roll on bottle |
| Option A 3 drops lavender 2 drops orange/cedarwood | Option A 5 drops lavender 3 drops orange/cedarwood | Option A 4 drops lavender/orange/cedarwood Carrier oil to fill the balance |
| Option B 2 drops lavender 1 drop orange 1 drop cedarwood | Option B 4 drops lavender 2 drops orange2 drops cedarwood | Option B 2 drops lavender 1 drop orange 1 drop cedarwood Carrier oil to fill the balance |
Chamomile + Ylang Ylang + Bergamot
Chamomile is well known to be healing to bodily aches, including headaches. Ylang ylang addresses negative tensions and moods while creating a calm and stable environment. Bergamot facilitates easier breathing and at the same time, reduces headaches with its analgesic qualities.
| 100ml water | 200ml water | 10ml roll on bottle |
| Option A 3 drops chamomile 2 drops ylang ylang/bergamot | Option A 5 drops chamomile 3 drops ylang ylang/bergamot | Option A 4 drops chamomile/ylang ylang/bergamot Carrier oil to fill the balance |
| Option B 2 drops chamomile 1 drop ylang ylang 2 drops bergamot | Option B 3 drops chamomile 2 drops ylang ylang 3 drops bergamot | Option B 2 drops chamomile 1 drop ylang ylang1 drop bergamot Carrier oil to fill the balance |
Peppermint + Basil + Lemon
The refreshing and sharp scent of peppermint stimulates cognitive and respiratory function, aiding in poor circulation and headaches. A little bit of basil goes a long way, its warm and herbaceous scent is beneficial for those suffering from headaches, sinus and fatigue. Lemon’s pleasant and rejuvenating scent when inhaled enhances mood and the body’s circulation.
| 100ml water | 200ml water | 10ml roll on bottle |
| Option A 2 drops peppermint 2 drops lemon | Option A 4 drops peppermint 4 drops lemon | Option A 4 drops peppermint/lemon Carrier oil to fill the balance |
| Option B 2 drops peppermint 1 drop basil 1 drop lemon | Option B 4 drops peppermint 2 drops basil 2 drops lemon | Option B 3 drops peppermint/lemon 1 drop basil Carrier oil to fill the balance |
Frankincense + Eucalyptus + Spearmint/Peppermint
Frankincense’s warm and comforting aroma is sedating to the senses. Eucalyptus’s refreshing and woody scent freshens up the mind by combating mental exhaustion, sluggishness and fatigue. Both spearmint and peppermint’s invigorating and cooling scent have pain relieving properties.
| 100ml water | 200ml water | 10ml roll on bottle |
| Option A 2 drops frankincense/eucalyptus 2 drops spearmint/peppermint | Option A 4 drops frankincense/eucalyptus 4 drops spearmint/peppermint | Option A 2 drops frankincense/eucalyptus 2 drops spearmint/peppermint Carrier oil to fill the balance |
| Option B 2 drops frankincense 1 drop eucalyptus 2 drops spearmint/peppermint | Option B 3 drops frankincense 2 drops eucalyptus 3 drops spearmint/peppermint | Option B 2 drops frankincense 1 drop eucalyptus 1 drop spearmint/peppermint Carrier oil to fill the balance |
Rosemary + Lime + Geranium
Rosemary’s anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties are a wonderful aid to reducing pain and inflammation while supporting the body’s natural detoxification process. Lime on its own already has pain relieving and mood enhancing properties, when combined with rosemary and geranium, which is beneficial for hormonal discomfort as well as headaches, amplifies its therapeutic abilities.
| 100ml water | 200ml water | 10ml roll on bottle |
| Option A 2 drops rosemary/geranium 2 drops lime | Option A 4 drops geranium/rosemary 4 drops lime | Option A 4 drops geranium/lime Carrier oil to fill the balance |
| Option B 1 drop rosemary 2 drops lime 2 drops geranium | Option B 2 drops rosemary 3 drops lime 3 drops geranium | Option B 1 drop rosemary 2 drops lime 1 drop geranium Carrier oil to fill the balance |
For the roll-on options, the dilution rates for the blends are 2% which is an optimal dilution rate for topical usage. If your roll-on bottle is bigger than 10ml, you can adjust the amount of essential oils accordingly. Please use a dark colored or amber glass bottle for the roll-on blends to prevent oxidation. Don’t forget to practice with care and moderation, diffuser blends should be diffused at 30-60 minutes maximum. Consult a health care or medical professional if you are pregnant, nursing or have a medical condition.
Although the article is about essential oils that can address headaches, it also addresses other factors that are the cause of headaches. Do take note if you’re suffering from a chronic condition that causes long and frequent headaches such as chronic migraines or chronic sinusitis, essential oils may not be enough to treat the problem in which you must consult a medical professional.