| Many types of headaches are amenable to natural | | | | under the nose and a dab at each temple, well away |
| headache relief methods. Since the causes vary, the | | | | from the eyes. Although I hesitate to recommend |
| aromatherapy remedy will also vary. | | | | the neat (undiluted) or internal use of essential oils, |
| Sinus Headaches: | | | | my favorite French mentor swears by a single drop |
| We have found that a combination of several | | | | of Lavandin Super on a sugar cube to banish an |
| different essential oils works best to ease the pain of | | | | existing Migraine. Please be very sure of the specific |
| a sinus headache, and ease the congestion that | | | | variety of Lavandin you are purchasing; there are |
| causes the pain. Listed in order of importance: | | | | several different Lavandin varieties available, and the |
| - Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus radiata, if available, since it is | | | | others will not help in this case. My friend says that |
| most useful for sinus ailments; however Euc. | | | | this is especially effective with Migraines that either |
| Globulous or Smithii will do if that is all that's available. | | | | stem from digestive difficulties or cause digestion |
| - Peppermint: Clearing, decongesting | | | | problems. It seems to work first on the digestion, |
| - Lavender or Lavandin: for pain relief, relaxation, and | | | | and then remove the Migraine. |
| antibacterial properties | | | | Migraine Preventatives: |
| - Sweet Basil: for mental clarity, to prevent "brain | | | | I have had several clients state that diffusing |
| fog", as well as a decongestant. Either inhale directly | | | | Rosemary ch Cineole essential oil in an aroma lamp |
| from a tissue, cotton ball, or, better yet, nasal inhaler, | | | | (or diffuser) during the night works to ward off |
| or dilute in carrier oil of your choice and massage | | | | migraine headaches. (This suggestion surprises me, |
| onto sinus areas (ie, the ridge of bone beneath your | | | | since Rosemary is a stimulant, not something I would |
| eyes, and the ridges at your eyebrows. Be very | | | | want to diffuse at bedtime, but I am not a migraine |
| careful NOT to get any in your eyes! Many also find | | | | sufferer.) |
| relief by use of a Neti Pot, using warmed salt water. | | | | Sniffing Peppermint straight from the bottle, or on a |
| (Please do not ever add essential oils to the Neti Pot. | | | | tissue or from an inhaler at the first sign of the |
| They will irritate the already irritated mucous | | | | "aura" seems to stop a lot of migraines in their |
| membranes and cause a totally different kind of | | | | tracks. |
| pain!) | | | | If a woman tends to get Migraines prior to getting |
| Tension Headaches: | | | | her period, a blend of Clary Sage, Lavender, Roman |
| The premier oil for Tension Headaches is our old | | | | Chamomile and Sweet Marjoram, diluted in carrier oil |
| standby Lavender Essential Oil. Massage a drop into | | | | and massaged either into the neck and temples OR |
| each temple, and one on the back of your neck. | | | | into the lower back and abdomen can help prevent |
| Doing other things, like a restful warm bath, lying | | | | hormone related ,migraines. |
| down with a cold pack on your forehead will help, but | | | | MIGRAINE RELIEF BLENDS: |
| often life doesn't allow the opportunity to tackle the | | | | Different blends seem to work for different Migraine |
| stress directly. At least the Lavender will relieve this | | | | sufferers, so I'm giving a range of selections, some |
| symptom of stress. Other choices would be Roman | | | | for massage, some for diffusion. |
| Chamomile or Sweet Marjoram Essential Oils. | | | | 4 drops lavender |
| Migraine Headaches: | | | | 3 drops peppermint |
| In "Living Well with Migraine Disease" author Teri | | | | 2 drops eucalyptus globulous |
| Robert recommends a blend ofdiluted Peppermint and | | | | 2 drops cedarwood |
| Lavender oils massaged lightly into the temples. Other | | | | Use in an aromalamp or diffuser. It seems important |
| essential oils she recommends for Migraine headache | | | | that the blend be diffusedin the air. We don't |
| are Chamomile (I would select Roman Chamomile | | | | recommend this for a massage blend. |
| rather than German), Clary Sage, Jasmine, Rosemary, | | | | Another diffuser blend, most effective for Hormonal |
| and Melissa. The first three on this list are all | | | | related Migraines. |
| relaxants, while most Rosemary oils are stimulants. | | | | 10 drops clary sage |
| Melissa Essential Oil is best known as an anti-viral, but | | | | 12 drops lavendar |
| many sources say it is helpful for migraine relief.We | | | | 3 drops melissaMigraine Relief Massage Blend. |
| have had excellent feedback about the use of a 5% | | | | Equal parts:Lavandin Super or Lavender angustifolia, |
| dilution of the Lavender and Peppermint. | | | | rosemary cineole and peppermint essential oils, diluted |
| For a one ounce of carrier use 15 drops EACH of | | | | in carrier oil and massaged into the head, neck and |
| Peppermint oil and Lavender oil. (For our 10 ml roller | | | | shoulders may prove helpful. It will also help with the |
| bottles, you would use 5 drops of each essential oil, | | | | nausea that often accompanies a severe |
| and fill with the carrier oil of your choice.) I'd suggest | | | | headache.Hope some of these prove helpful to you. |
| applying to both wrists, neck pulse points, a dab just | | | | |