Summary
see also Migraines
Headaches can be triggered by many different conditions
but the typical result is the nerves in the head muscles and
blood vessels of the head signal the brain that there is
pain. The triggers can be anything from a blow
to the head, disease, to emotional distress. There are
many different types of headaches documented in the
literature (over 150) but the most common are:
Tension
headaches – These are the most common headache that
most people will experience from time to time.
Tightness is felt in areas around the head that results in
mild to moderate pain. The more common areas are the
back of the neck, the temples, or the forehead. The
cause is not yet fully understood.
Chronic daily
headaches – If there are repeated tension headaches
from day to day it is labeled chronic daily headaches.
Migraine
headaches – A migraine is a much more painful
experience. This can be a moderate to severe throbbing
sensation that lasts a few hours or sometimes for days.
Again the precise reason for this type of headache is not
yet know. Go to Migraines
for more information.
Cluster
headaches – This is one of the most severe of
headaches. The name is because they come in repeated
frequent attacks or “cluster periods”. The attacks may
be 2 or 3 times a day and may last from weeks to months.
They may then go away for months or even years. They
often begin in the middle of the night while someone is
asleep. The pain is usually on one side of the head or
the other and typically right behind the eye. The pain
is intense, constant, and throbbing making it almost
impossible to function normally.
Sinus headaches
– When the membranes of the sinus cavities become
inflamed and swollen there can be pressure around the eyes,
cheeks, and forehead area where these cavities are located.
This pressure then can result in a sinus headache.
Acute headaches
– Typically seen in children these headaches come
on suddenly and last for a short time.
Hormone
headaches – Changing hormone levels during
menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause may trigger headaches.
This may also include hormone changes with medications such
as birth control pills.
Essential oils have a well-deserved reputation for
helping with headaches. The tab above for Suggested
Protocols will have some of the most commonly suggested
helps and the tab Experiences & Testimonials will include
other's experiences.
Oils, blends & products
recommended:
Oils & Blends:
DeepBlue, frankincense, lavender, marjoram, Past
Tense, peppermint
Essential oils based
products:
Also consider:
basil, clove, eucalyptus, ginger, lemon, lemongrass,
wintergreen
Suggested protocols:
Mild tension headache:
•
A drop or two of peppermint oil rubbed on the temples,
forehead, and/or back o neck is a simple and effective
solution for most.
•
PastTense is a blend of oils in a handy roll on
dispenser that is also very effective and more
convenient.
Sinus headaches:
•
To relieve immediate pain PastTense or peppermint as
described above will be helpful.
•
Also attend to the sinus infection as described under
Sinus Infections.
More severe headaches:
•
Use peppermint or PastTense as described previously but
follow with a damp, cool
compress using a clean hand towel. Apply this compress to
the forehead and closed eyes and/or the back of the
neck, while resting for a few minutes. Repeat as often
as needed and schedule will permit. A few drops of
an oil may be put directly on the damp towel to extend
the help. Keep oils away from eyes.
•
Some will find an inhaler
or using cup and inhale may prove advantageous.
•
Different bodies and conditions will respond differently
to oils. Sometimes it is necessary to rotate or try
different oils.
Migraine headaches:
•
Go to Migraine Headaches
for more detailed information.
Experiences and Testimonials of others
Submissions
directly to
EverythingEssential.me.
Our thanks to:
Dani Garn
djandt22@yahoo.com
Dani -
I have had many experiences with
doTERRA essential oils in the last few
months and I would like to share them with
others.
I have yet to believe how fast I can get rid
of my fiancé's and my pain! I've had
headaches so bad in the back of my head for
years that only the expensive chiropractor
could fix, until this morning when I put
some Deep Blue and coconut oil on my neck.
It works so fast that it is unbelievable
relief! Same with my hands and other sore
joints. I knew that years of popping my
joints would come back to haunt me!! But the
oils have been great!!
Samara - We know a
lady that gets a headache every time she smells the oils.
Then she gets very nauseated. She signed up and bought a
Dr. Mom kit and really wants to keep trying the oils. Any
thoughts or suggestions?
Pat - Have her use the gelatin capsule
protocol using lemon, melaleuca and oregano. That would be
14 drops of the combined oils in a gel cap taken once a day
with food. This might help her body detoxify and assimilate
some great oils. Also she could go on the probiotics.
Monica - My suggestion would be to spend
some time with this lady, and find out about her health, her
lifestyle, what she uses to clean her home, wash her
clothes, wash her body and hair, moisturize, cosmetics, hair
color, hair styling products, nail polish, what does she
eat, does she drink caffeine, does she drink soda, does she
have a sweet tooth, etc....
My guess is that she is quite possibly overloaded with
toxicity. One of the most wonderful things about
essential oils, is their ability to help rid the body of
toxins. The 'bad' part (for folks who don't understand
the process), is that sometimes the 'getting rid of process'
of toxins can be uncomfortable (personally, I see this as a
good thing - often referred to in holistic health circles as
a "cleansing crisis")...
Once she makes some lifestyle changes to bring her body
into better balance, she should no longer experience these
uncomfortable sensations; although the length of time for
this to balance out will depend upon the individual.
Meanwhile, she can put the oils on the soles of her feet,
or in capsules for ingestion, rather than inhalation, if
that is more comfortable for her. By all means, I
would suggest the Lifelong Wellness Trio, PB Assist, Candida
Kill protocol (GX Assist), and Weight Loss/Detoxification
protocol, to help balance her system in a more timely
manner.
John - I had a killer headache the other
day, probably bordering on a migraine. I'm sure it was
stressed induced because of the day I had- had. I had a few
oils with me at work, but none seemed to help at all. I was
excited to get home and try the lavender, peppermint, and
frankincense blend. I was bummed to learn that my wife had
used the last of the frankincense in a ulcer blend she did
for a friend.
Desperate, I grabbed marjoram, which is also listed as
effective for headaches. I blended the marjoram, lavender
and peppermint and my wife rubbed it in with a neck and
shoulder massage. I also put it on my temples. I lay
down with a cold pack in a towel under my neck, and closed
my eyes. In about 15 minutes, I found my the pain I had
been experiencing all day - gone. Completely.
I think I have a new favorite blend for headaches.
I should have said, I used about 5 drops each of lavender
and marjoram and 2 drops of peppermint. I also used cup and
inhale while I had my neck massaged. If I had not felt
better so soon, I would have put the same blend in a bath.
John (Cal) - My
wife and I were painting the basement last night and I think
we both got too many fumes. I woke up with a bad headache,
and my wife is still in bed with the covers over her head
and has a bad migraine. I know oils can be good for
headaches. I remember peppermint. Any suggestions, how I
use them, where I put them? This might make a believer out
of my wife!
Gina - Sorry you and your wife are
suffering from horrible headaches today. A little secret for
the next time you paint. Add any of the oils to the
paint bucket and it will cut down on the fumes tremendously,
plus it puts a much nicer aroma (and vibration) in the room.
I can only imagine how bad it was, being enclosed in the
basement.
In the meantime, the last time I had a migraine, the only
oil I had with me was wintergreen and I splashed that all
over my head and it worked. But, sometimes Deep Blue with
peppermint and a cold cloth behind my neck helps. I know
someone else who gets relief from the combination of
frankincense, lavender, then peppermint. I would try
whatever you are drawn to. And then rub her shoulders and
the reflexology "head points" of the feet, and hopefully
there will be some relief. Each person is different so you
may have to try different combinations.
Rob - John my experience is that Gina is
right on. It might take some experimentation to find the
best essential oil help for you. But I would start with
peppermint, lavender and frankincense. Some have found Deep
Blue very effective and wintergreen makes sense because its
key constituent, methylsalycilate, is actually produced
synthetically to make some pharmaceutical remedies.
Start with peppermint on the temples, across the
forehead, and on the back of the neck.
Jon - Thanks everybody. I have never
tried essential oils on a headache till today. Wow. No
kidding. I put peppermint on my temples and started
massaging and within 30 seconds I realized my eyes were able
to open more and my mind cleared. I have never felt a
headache so obviously go away so quick. My wife didn't have
the same luck as me. We worked with peppermint and lavender
for about a 1/2 hour. We don't have Deep Blue, frankincense
or wintergreen. After a while she hurt too much to even
massage, so I stopped. She slept about another hour and
when she woke up the migraine was gone. She won't admit it
yet, but I'm sure the oils helped. She did ask if we could
get an extra bottle of peppermint that she could carry
around so she must think it did some good!! .
Ready, Set, Grow
