Headaches and Migraines? Studies Suggest Oils Are Better!

Next time a headache strikes, even a migraine, you might want to skip the aspirin and reach for an essential oil. Clinical trials show, for example, that essential oil of lavender relieves migraine pain and accompanying symptoms by 72%.

In comparison, the Migraine Treatment Group reports that Tylenol helps migraines about 50% of the time. Ibuprofen works 57% of the time. And Imitrex, a drug often prescribed by doctors for migraine relief, is effective only 59% of the time.  

A 2012 study conducted by the School of Medicine's Department of Neurology, at Mashad University of Medical Sciences, enrolled 47 diagnosed migraine patients and randomly assigned them to one of two groups. Trial subjects were told to apply 2-3 drops of essential lavender oil onto their upper lip, inhale it for 15-minutes and then score the severity of their headache pain every 30 minutes for the next two hours. (Control subjects received similar instructions but were given a placebo to inhale).

Out of 129 reported headaches experienced by trial subjects, nearly 72% responded entirely or partially to the lavender essential oil therapy. In the control group, fewer than half of headaches responded to the placebo.

Besides lavender, essential oil of peppermint has been shown in multiple studies to relieve nausea and vomiting associated with migraine as well as the perception of headache and migraine pain. Essential oil of rose has been found to combine well with lavender to soothe migraine pain.

"We definitely see essential oil therapies gaining popularity," reports Kate Vozoff, Premiere's director of Product Development. "They're effective and have no side effects – it's hard to beat that combination." 

Check out the following article for more information on how to utilize essential oils in the treatment of migraines and headaches!

Essential Oils And Migraines

There are a number of therapeutic grade essential oils that help with migraines and debilitating headaches.

Researchers at Young Living have put together the blend M-Grain which sufferers can apply to their head and neck during migraine episodes. It consists of Basil, marjoram, lavender, peppermint, Roman chamomile and helichrysum. These oils work together in a synergistic union to soothe and rejuvenate the body during and after a severe headache. (A 15 ml bottle of M-Grain retails at $52.30, and the price for wholesale customers is $39.75).

Some people find it helpful to take oils internally to explode a migraine out of the system. Stacy McDonald has a testimony of her blog about a woman who took a “migraine bomb”. She wrote

“I was at my wits end yesterday. I had been suffering from a migraine for 7 days and I had been in bed with it. I had to get out yesterday for an appointment, and while out I texted a friend to see if she had the oils for the bomb. She did and told me to come by. I took one bomb when I got home, and within 15 minutes my

 migraine was gone! This was something that my regular migraine medicine would not touch. I am beyond thrilled! Thank you God for these wonderful oils! I am learning so much! I just wish I would have thought of it before suffering for a week. I am LOVING learning about these oils!!!!!”

The ingredients for the migraine bomb is simple, and I am looking forward to trying it next time I am suffering from a headache:

Amy’s Migraine Bomb
5 drops Copaiba
5 drops Frankincense
5 drops Idaho Balsam Fir
Amy placed these oils in an empty gel cap and swallowed.
Warning: I only recommend Therapeutic Grade essential oils. Lower quality oils may be toxic. Young Living oils that are labeled as “supplements” are approved for internal use. NEVER ingest lower quality oils, but only oils that are Therapeutic Grade.

The Essential Oils Pocket Reference gives two more recipes which headache sufferers would do well to try:

General Headache Recipe No 1:
4 drops wintergreen
2 drops lavender
3 drops German chamomile
1 drop clove
2 drops copaiba

General Headache Recipe No 2:
4 drops Eucalyptus
6 drops peppermint
2 drops myrrh

These can be applied topically or diffused. If you have sensitive skin, dilute with a carrier oil like almond oil.

Another oil which really helps with headaches is peppermint oil. Because of its cooling function, this oil is very refreshing  (again, be sure to buy therapeutic grade) and can help to either ease a headache, or sometimes eliminate it completely. Researchers at the Christian-Albrecht University in Kiel, Germany, conducted Placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover studies and proved that essential oils were just as effective in treating headaches as Tylenol.  They concluded “Peppermint oil thus proves to be a well-tolerated and cost-effective alternative to usual therapies.”

Other single oils which have been known to help headache sufferers are:

o   Clove

o    Copaiba

o    Eucalyptus Blue

o    Dorado Azul

o    German Chamomile

o    Roman Chamomile

o    Lavender

o    Myrrh

o    Rosemary

o    Spearmint

o    Valerian

o    Wintergreen

Some of Young Living’s blends which help headache sufferers are:

o    Brain Power

o    Clarity

o    Deep Relief Roll-On

o    PanAway

o    Stress Away Roll-On

o    Relieve It

o    R.C. 

o    Raven

o    Tranquil Roll-On

 Application and Usage

o    You may apply single-oils or blends neat or diluted, depending on the oil.

o    Diffuse your choice of oils into the air of your room for 1/2 hour every 4-6 hours or as desired.

o    Put 2-3 drops of your chosen oil in your hands and rub them together, cup your hands over your nose, and inhale throughout the day as needed. Put 2-3 drops of oil on a cotton ball or tissue and put it in an air vent in your house, vehicle, hotel room, etc.