“I got me so down, I got me aheadache
My heart is crammed in my cranium
And it still knows how to pound”
So laments the Pixies frontman Frank Black on his album Teenager of the Year. Headaches can be as fierce and persistent as the thumping drum beat of a rock song, or the slamming door of a teenager’s bedroom. Plans are cancelled, hours of productivity are lost, and all the optimism of a new day can crumble at the first moment of cranium-pounding pain, as the headache crams itself into our inner landscape and hijacks our wellbeing.
There are several types of headache (as if one wasn’t enough): tension headaches, often triggered by stress; cluster headaches, which reoccur throughout the day; hormone headaches, commonly experienced by women; and debilitating migraine headaches, the most mysterious and enigmatic of the family, which are often accompanied by flashing lights and visual hallucinations. Headaches are also a frequent symptom of seasonal allergies, sinusitis, poor posture, overwork, and eye strain.
In some headaches, the pain or tension itself originates somewhere else in the body - the brain itself has no pain receptors (making brain surgery on a conscious patient possible). As the processing hub of our bodily experiences, the brain centers these sensations in the seat of our consciousness. However, there are pain receptors, ornociceptors, in the protective layers of tissue between brain and skull, hence the very real feeling sometimes that headache pain is ‘crammed’ inside our temples or right behind our eyes.
Whatever their root causes, we all get headaches, and sadly the pounding can’t just be turned off right away like a loud record. We all seek relief, usually from over-the-counter pharmaceutical remedies. But before you reach for the aspirin or paracetamol again, consider using aromatherapy as a gentle, natural alternative.
Essential oils have a range of properties that can ease the headache symptoms, gradually replacing that angry four-to-the-floor kick drum in your head with the soothing soundtrack of pain-free peace.
Add around 10 drops of essential oil in your diffuser at first (you can always add more if required), close your eyes, and settle into your favorite chair as the oils’ effects work their magic. Our ten favorite diffuser blends for headaches below will help yousilence that noisy inner teenager (for now!), and let your heart sing instead with the sweet song of headache relief!
Peppermint and Rosemary essential oils are both believed to have pain-relieving properties. This refreshing blend will help dissipate a mild headache before it takes hold.
· 5 drops Peppermint essential oil
· 5 drops Rosemary essential oil
Tough day, headache on the way? Try a gentle blend of Lavender and Chamomile essential oils, which can both ease stress before it evolves into pain.
· 6 drops Chamomile essential oil
· 4 drops Lavender essential oil
Headache more persistent? This blend of woody, head-clearing Birch, Wintergreen and Frankincense essential oils will transport you to a pain-free place.
· 3 drops Birch essential oil
· 2 drops Wintergreen essential oil
· 2 drops Frankincense essential oil
Blocked sinuses can lead to intense, vice-like headaches. Clear the sinuses, and the headache, with the crispness of Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree and Peppermint essential oils.
· 3 drops Lemon essentia loil
· 3 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
· 2 drops Peppermint essential oil
· 2 drops Tea Tree essential oil
Relieve the mood-ruining effects of PMS with this hormone-balancing blend of Clary Sage, Geranium, and Ylang Ylang essential oils.
· 5 drops Clary Sage essential oil
· 3 drops Geranium essential oil
· 2 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
Some migraine sufferers insist that over-the-counter migraine remedies make their headaches worse, not better. Switch to this powerful pain-relieving blend of Helichrysum, Balsam Copaiba, Frankincense and Eucalyptus essential oils.
· 3 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
· 3 drops Balsam Copaiba essential oil
· 2 drops Frankincense essential oil
· 2 drops Helichrysum essential oil
Joint pain, toothache, lumbago – they can all cause headaches, but those headaches can be relieved with this pain-targeting, anti-rheumatic blend of Juniper Berry, Clove, and Wintergreen essential oils.
· 2 drops Wintergreen essential oil
· 4 drops Juniper Berry essential oil
· 4 drops Clove essential oil
Fatigue leads to headaches. Headaches lead to suffering. The force is strong in this uplifting blend of Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Sweet Orange and Bergamot essential oils.
· 2 drops Sweet Orange essential oil
· 2 drops Lavender essential oil
· 2 drops Bergamot essential oil
· 4 drops Ylang Ylang essential oil
Sometimes those extra reps in the gym can come at a price – an exertion headache when we get home. This muscle-relaxing blend of Marjoram, Yarrow, Sandalwood and Arnica essential oils will let your body recover in peace.
· 3 drops Arnica essential oil
· 3 drops Marjoram essential oil
· 3 drops Yarrow essential oil
· 1 drop Sandalwood essential oil
Since prevention is better than cure, why not head off your headache at the pass when you feel one coming on? This airy blend of Basil, Lemongrass and Lavender essential oils is a versatile, reliable all-rounder.
· 3 drops Lavender essential oil
· 3 drops Basil essentialoil
· 3 drops Lemongrass essential oil
Are your headaches often brought on by stress? You can read about how aromatherapy can be used with meditation here.
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