9 Easy Ways to use Aromatherapy for Headaches

We hear a lot about using aromatherapy for headaches, such as tension type headache.  But often it’s made too easy ("buy our fabulous aromatherapy shampoo!"), or it sounds far too intimidating ("After reading only 2453 pages in our Complete Book of Aromatherapy Power, you’ll be qualified to use some basic essential oils!").

It’s true that aromatherapy has become a large field of study, and there’s a lot to learn.  But that’s no reason why you can’t easily use aromatherapy right now to ease your headache.  Like cooking, once you have some of the basic ingredients on hand (the 100% pure essential oils), you can go from basic recipes all the way to more advanced creations.

Here are some quick and easy ways to use aromatherapy in your everyday life, using some of the basic oils for headache and migraine that I’ve mentioned before.  Don’t forget to read the disclaimer below about applying essential oils to your skin.

• Rub a little essential oil into your palms, and inhale.  Lavender and Peppermint are an excellent blend.
• Take one or two oils, rub the mixture gently on your temples, at the base of your neck, or on your shoulders.
• Aromatherapy bath: Fill the tub with warm/hot water and add oils.  Soak for 15-30 minutes.
• Mix 2 cups of water or ice water with 10 drops of essential oils.  Soak a towel or wash cloth for a few minutes, wring out, and put the compress on your neck or forehead.  Change when it reaches room temperature.
• Aromatherapy steam: Boil 4 cups of water and pour hot into a glass bowl.  Add 5 drops of essential oil, and inhale through your nose slowly and deeply for 10 minutes.
• Buy some unscented hand soap, and add about 50 drops of essential oils to 285g/10 ounces of soap.  Shake well.
• Rub 3 or 4 drops onto your comb and hairbrush.
• Put 5 drops on a cotton ball, and place in a cupboard or drawer.
• Make your own milk bath.  See how I did it here.

It’s better not to apply most essential oils to your skin directly.  The oils are generally diluted using what is called a "carrier oil", which unlike the essential oils is made from the fatty parts of the plant (olive oil, for example).  You can get an excellent introduction to carrier oils for aromatherapy here.  Having one or two carrier oils on hand is a must if you want to use essential oils for massage.

This organic Calendula Oil is excellent for sensitive skin.  Organic Jojoba Oil is great for oily skin, and has a long shelf life.  Experiment, and see what mix you prefer.