Soothing Essential Oils for Migraines & Other Headaches

There can be nothing quite as debilitating to your day like a bad headache. And if you suffer from migraines it can absolutely shut down your day or your week! It’s no wonder that many want to know if essential oils for mental wellness include support for headaches and migraines. The answer is yes, you can use essential oils for migraines and other headaches! But, once again, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution so let’s explore some of your options to see what might be most helpful to you.

Headaches and the underlying causes can vary so the essential oils and application methods should vary as well. Although, my first tip is always to drink water. Sometimes we get headaches simply because we’re dehydrated.

Here are a few different kinds of headaches along with the essential oils and application methods that many find extremely helpful to take the edge off or lift the headache entirely!

Essential Oils for Stress or Tension Headaches

Top Choices:
Peppermint
Lavender
Chamomile Roman

e3 Essential Oil Blends: Head Soothe, Stress Relief

These are probably some of the most common types of headaches, especially if you spend most of your day in front of a computer! Here are a few application techniques that can help stress and tension melt away:

• Address neck tension. Often headaches are caused by neck tension, which is hardly surprising when you consider the weight of our heads which have to be supported by the neck! Headaches resulting from overstrained neck muscles can be alleviated quickly and safely with a little lavender essential oil.

DIY Lavender Lotion
10 drops of Lavender essential oil
10 drops of Carrier Oil or Lotion

Mix together and then rub the mixture into the muscles of your neck. e3’s Relief lotion, or e3’s Migraine or Head Soothe roll-ons are also great options for stress-relieving neck massages!

• Address eye strain. Another common cause of headaches is eyestrain. Use the same Lavender recipe above and gently rub it over your temples and forehead.

• Find a relaxing scent as your go-to stress-busting roll-on. If you find yourself tensing up, keep a roll-on in your purse, backpack, or pocket. Since it’s already diluted, you can apply the roll-on of your choice to your temples or the back of your neck.

Essential Oils for Migraine Headaches

Top Choices:

Lavandin
Lavender
Basil
Rosemary

e3 Essential Oil Blends: Migraine, Head Soothe, Nerve Calm

According to the Migraine Relief Center, “The financial costs of migraines in the United States is $78 billion annually.” While essential oils are not a miracle cure, I’ve found that many migraine sufferers can nip an oncoming migraine in the bud with essential oils. They also can provide some relief and comfort when you’re in pain.

Here are a few essential oil application recommendations for migraines:

• Try this Migraine Relief Blend. In addition to e3’s Migraine blend, this DIY blend is balancing, calming, and a neurotonic. The earlier you can use it, the better results you’ll get!

5 drops Lavender
3 drops Peppermint
3 drops Marjoram, Sweet

This blend can be diluted and used in a roll-on, inhaled with a diffuser or aromatherapy inhaler, or mixed with a carrier oil or lotion to apply to temples, forehead, and/or neck.

• Lavender Compress. When experiencing a migraine you often need a simple, easy-to-use solution. Pre-mixed Lavender Hydrosol (aka flower water) can be used to spritz a small towel to make a cool or warm compress to lay on your forehead.

• Address nausea. Unfortunately, migraines are often accompanied by nausea. A simple technique is to place a drop or two of Peppermint on a tissue and inhale frequently.

Essential Oils for Hormonal Headaches

Top Choices:
Lavender
Geranium

e3 Essential Oil Blends: Female Harmony, Migraine

You’re going to love this relaxing technique to soothe tension and balance hormones that are triggering your headache. Make a simple compress of Lavender and Geranium and you’ll appreciate the harmonizing effect.

6 drops* Lavender
6 drops* Geranium
8 ounces of water (cold, warm, or hot depending on your preference)

Mix the essential oils with water in a basin. Dip a small face towel into the water wring out and apply to your forehead and neck.

This recipe is a 5% dilution, you can increase or decrease the dilution depending on your health and age. (A milder dilution of 3% would be 4 drops each and a stronger dilution of 10% would be 12 drops each.)

Find additional tips and essential oils suggestions for headaches and other hormonal issues in my post, Essential Oils for PMS, Menstrual Cramps & More.

Essential Oils for Allergy or Sinus Headaches

Top Choices:
Lavender Spike
Eucalyptus Smithii
Peppermint

e3 Essential Oil Blends: Breathe Easy, Cold & Sinus, Protection

Essential oils are really helpful with allergy or sinus headaches because they can serve as a decongestant as well as helping you relax. Here are two ways to use essential oils to relieve these kinds of headaches:

• Inhalation is an easy way to bring instant relief. Simply add a drop or two of the essential oil or blend of your choice to a cotton ball or tissue. Hold under your nose and inhale as needed. Or you keep an aromatherapy inhaler in your pocket.

• Try this DIY Peppermint Rub:

10 drops Peppermint
10 drops Carrier Oil or Lotion

Mix the ingredients and massage into your forehead, behind your ears, and/or at the hairline of the back of the neck. A 50/50 ratio works for immediate, acute relief, however, make sure to read safety guidelines and avoid peppermint during pregnancy and nursing, and don’t use with children under 3 years of age.

Essential Oils for Insomnia Headaches

Top Choices:
Lavender
Frankincense
Marjoram, Sweet

e3 Essential Oil Blends: Migraine, Head Soothe

Headaches and insomnia often go hand-in-hand. This immunostimulant DIY blend eases headaches, anxiety, and depression which does a lot to promote healthy sleep.

2 drops Frankincense
2 drops Lavender
1 drop Marjoram, Sweet

Blend into 1 teaspoon of carrier oil of your choice. Rub across shoulders your shoulders left to right and from behind to front (up and over to loosen tension).

Find additional application tips and essential oils suggestions for insomnia in my post, Essential Oils for Insomnia Soothe Sleepless Nights.

We covered a lot of suggestions in this post on how to treat headaches with essential oils! Don’t get overwhelmed, sometimes it takes time to see which essential oils and application methods will be most helpful to you. And don’t get stuck thinking you have to use one recommendation over another, sometimes you need to experiment.

A helpful guide is our workbook, The Art & Science of Blending Essential Oils. Download it for free, and remember, our team of clinical aromatherapists is available to answer your questions!