I suffer from migraines, and I've dealt with them ever since I started going through puberty. Although it might not be the healthiest thing in the world, my usual go-to cure for an impending headache is three Advil pills and a Coca-Cola (it works, and I have no idea why). That being said, I'm always on the hunt for healthier approaches to battling these bad boys and potentially preventing them. Rumor has it putting essential oils on your temples and other pressure points might be one such remedy.
Essential oils are a holistic, natural approach to a variety of ailments that use the extracted essence of plants to trigger the olfactory system and improve circulation in the body. They're often used as an addition to skincare products, but you can also enjoy the benefits by using a diffuser, or rolling them on with a "carrier" oil, like almond or coconut oil, to particular pulse points on your body. It's recommended that you don't put pure essential oils directly on your skin, so keep that in mind when you choose one for your head-pain-relieving experiments.
The most commonly used essential oils for headaches are eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, chamomile, and rosemary. These oils are thought to relieve tension, as well as relax and uplift you while you're trying to heal that pounding head.
And, just as a heads up, if you're beginning to get periodic headaches for the first time, another good thing to try before experimenting with essential oils is to identify your potential "triggers," or things that might be causing the pain to happen in the first place. Could it be stress, something you're eating, a few two many brewskis, or lack of sleep? Are you drinking enough water? It's always good to determine what's actually going on in your body to help you find the best treatment. And of course, if none of your strategies seem to be working, it never hurts to consult with a doctor about what's going on.
Otherwise, have fun experimenting with these essential oils, and try rubbing them on these six different spots on the body for a bit of relief from your headaches.
Peppermint Halo, $26.95, Saje
Sit back, relax, and roll on a little peppermint essential oil along your hairline, as this particular Saje roller recommends. The "halo" effect provides a kind of protective shield of essential oil that makes sure the refreshing scent continues to soothe your sore head all day long.
Right between the eyebrows and at the crown of your nose is a pressure point called your "third eye." Place some of your essential oil on that point, (being careful to avoid your eyes, of course), and use your knuckles to press along your eyebrows, which actually tend to hold a rather surprising amount of tension.
It's a classic for a reason, my friends. Try placing a little eucalyptus oil on your temples and rubbing counter-clockwise. This is particularly effective for those achin' heads that are caused by stress and tension.
Or better yet, have someone else massage these bad boys into your skin!
As for how to find the best point on your shoulders to relieve your tension headaches? According to the Explore Integrative Medicine blog from the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, "it is located by feeling the mastoid (ear) bone and following the groove back to where the neck muscles attach to the skull." Follow along, making sure to press and squeeze the shoulders, and enjoy as your pain melts away.
On either side of the nostrils are pressure points that relieve tension in the head and neck. Dab on some chamomile oil on either side, and press gently. Don't forget to breathe deeply, too!
The Ritual of Hammam Massage Oil, $19, Rituals
Rub a little massage oil onto your hands and fingers, then fan out your fingers slightly about an inch behind your ear. If you have a headache and the pain is radiating throughout your upper body, you should be able to easily feel the spot where things feel a bit tender. Once you find it, breathe deep and place pressure, then guide along the back of your skull for a scalp massage, bringing it all the way up to the crown of the head.
