9 Best Herbal Essential Oils For Headaches
Herbal essential oils for headaches are a type of plant-based oil that is extracted from various herbs and plants, which are used to relieve and alleviate headache symptoms.
These oils have been found to be beneficial in treating headaches due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties, which help to relax the mind and body.
Some examples of herbal essential oils used to treat headaches include lavender oil, which promotes relaxation and reduces stress; peppermint oil, which cools and soothes the mind; eucalyptus oil, which eases tension and congestion; frankincense oil, which reduces inflammation and promotes relaxation; geranium oil, which balances hormones and reduces stress; chamomile oil, which calms and soothes the mind and body; and bergamot oil, which reduces anxiety and stress.
By incorporating these herbal essential oils into one's daily routine, individuals can experience relief from headache symptoms and improve their overall well-being.
According to "Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache", essential oils for headaches, specifically the combination of peppermint oil and ethanol, have been shown to produce a significant analgesic effect with a reduction in sensitivity to headache.
Below there's a list of the 9 best herbal essential oils for headaches.
- 1. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
- 2. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils
- 3. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
- 4. Mentha x piperita essential oils
- 5. Valeriana officinalis essential oils
- 6. Zingiber officinale essential oils
- 7. Melissa officinalis essential oils
- 8. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
- 9. Salvia officinalis essential oils
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1. Lavandula angustifolia essential oils
Lavandula angustifolia essential oils have been traditionally used to treat headaches due to their calming and soothing properties, which help to reduce stress and anxiety that often trigger headaches.
The bioactive constituents of Lavandula angustifolia essential oils, including linalool and linalyl acetate, have been found to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, which help to alleviate headache symptoms.
These essential oils work by promoting relaxation, reducing muscle tension, and improving sleep quality, all of which are essential in managing headaches.
The benefits of using Lavandula angustifolia essential oils to treat headaches include reduced frequency and severity of episodes, improved sleep quality, and a decrease in reliance on over-the-counter pain medications.
2. Eucalyptus globulus essential oils
Eucalyptus globulus essential oils have been widely used to treat headaches due to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antispasmodic properties.
The herbal preparation contains bioactive constituents such as eucalyptol, which helps to reduce pain and inflammation, and limonene, which has a calming effect on the nervous system.
By applying Eucalyptus globulus essential oils topically or inhaling them through steam inhalation, individuals can experience relief from headaches, including tension headaches and migraines, due to the increased blood flow and relaxation of tense muscles.
The benefits of using Eucalyptus globulus essential oils for headache treatment include reduced frequency and severity of headaches, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being.
Related Study
According to "Cephalalgia : an international journal of headache", Eucalyptus globulus essential oils, when combined with peppermint oil, had a significant effect in reducing sensitivity to headache.
3. Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils
Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils, extracted from the leaves of the rosemary plant, have been traditionally used to treat headaches due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties.
The herbal preparation helps to treat headaches by reducing muscle tension, relieving pain, and improving blood circulation.
The bioactive constituents of Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils, including camphor, borneol, and bornyl acetate, contribute to its therapeutic effects by acting as natural pain relievers and anti-inflammatory agents.
The benefits of using Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils to treat headaches include reduced frequency and severity of episodes, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being.
Related Study
According to "Tip tarihi arastirmalari = History of medicine studies", Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils have been known to be used for curing headaches since ancient times.
4. Mentha x piperita essential oils
Mentha x piperita essential oils, also known as peppermint oil, have been traditionally used to treat headaches due to their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.
The menthol content in peppermint oil helps to relieve tension and relax muscles, thereby reducing headache severity.
The bioactive constituents, including menthol, menthone, and limonene, contribute to its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects, making it an effective remedy for headaches.
Regular use of peppermint oil through topical application or inhalation can provide fast relief from headaches and promote overall well-being.
Related Study
According to Phytotherapy research : PTR, Mentha x piperita essential oils, specifically peppermint oil, showed positive, preliminary findings as an acute treatment for headaches, specifically migraine, as part of a systematic review of herbal treatments.
5. Valeriana officinalis essential oils
Valeriana officinalis essential oils have been traditionally used to treat headaches due to their sedative and anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce stress and anxiety that can trigger headaches.
The herbal preparation's ability to relax the muscles and calm the nervous system also contributes to its effectiveness in treating this ailment.
Bioactive constituents such as isovaleric acid, valerenic acid, and valepotriates in Valeriana officinalis essential oils are responsible for its sedative and anti-inflammatory effects, which help to alleviate headache symptoms.
By using Valeriana officinalis essential oils, individuals can benefit from reduced frequency and severity of headaches, improved sleep quality, and a overall sense of well-being.
Related Study
According to "American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists", Valeriana officinalis essential oils for headaches is potentially safe as it has been studied in formal trials.
6. Zingiber officinale essential oils
Zingiber officinale essential oils, derived from the rhizomes of the ginger plant, possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties that help to alleviate headaches.
The bioactive constituents, including gingerols and shogaols, work together to reduce pain and inflammation, thereby providing relief from headache symptoms.
The essential oils help to treat headaches by blocking pain pathways, reducing muscle spasms, and improving blood circulation, ultimately providing a natural and effective remedy.
By incorporating Zingiber officinale essential oils into aromatherapy or topical applications, individuals can experience the benefits of reduced headache frequency and severity, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being.
Related Study
According to "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Zingiber officinale essential oils for headaches may exert abortive and prophylactic effects in migraine headache without any side-effects.
7. Melissa officinalis essential oils
Melissa officinalis essential oils, also known as lemon balm, have been traditionally used to treat headaches due to their calming and soothing properties.
The herb contains bioactive constituents such as rosmarinic acid, luteolin, and ursolic acid, which help to relax tense muscles, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain associated with headaches.
The essential oil's anxiolytic and antispasmodic properties also help to calm the nervous system, reducing the frequency and severity of headaches.
Regular use of Melissa officinalis essential oils has been shown to provide relief from tension headaches, migraines, and other types of headaches, making it a popular natural remedy for headache sufferers.
Related Study
According to the study published in the "Journal of ethnopharmacology", Melissa officinalis essential oils may be beneficial for headaches as it has been found to have anti-nociceptive properties, significantly attenuating acetic acid- and formalin-induced nociception.
8. Cymbopogon citratus essential oils
Cymbopogon citratus essential oils, also known as lemongrass oil, have been traditionally used to treat headaches due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and calming properties.
The bioactive constituents present in lemongrass oil, such as citral, limonene, and beta-pinene, help to reduce pain and inflammation, thereby alleviating headache symptoms.
By inhaling or topically applying lemongrass oil, the body can benefit from its ability to relax tense muscles, calm the mind, and reduce stress, ultimately providing relief from headache pain.
The benefits of using lemongrass oil for headache treatment include its natural, non-invasive, and cost-effective approach, making it a popular alternative remedy for this common health issue.
Related Study
According to the study, Cymbopogon citratus essential oils may be used to treat headaches due to its traditional application records indicating its use for various ailments, including headaches.
9. Salvia officinalis essential oils
Salvia officinalis essential oils, derived from the leaves of the sage plant, have been traditionally used to treat headaches due to their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antispasmodic properties.
The bioactive constituents of Salvia officinalis, including camphor, bornyl acetate, and thujone, help to relieve headache symptoms by reducing muscle tension and inflammation in the head and neck region.
The essential oils of Salvia officinalis also exhibit a sedative effect, which can help to calm the mind and body, reducing the frequency and severity of headaches.
By incorporating Salvia officinalis essential oils into aromatherapy, individuals can experience a range of benefits, including reduced headache frequency, improved mood, and enhanced overall well-being.