I’m a secret fan of aromatherapy. All right, not so secret, I guess. But there’s one thing that drives me crazy. When people go for aromachology, thinking they’re getting aromatherapy. What a rip-off.
 |
What is true aromatherapy? The former Health AtoZ put it this way: "Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of plant-derived, aromatic essential oils to promote physical and psychological well-being."
You see, the aromatherapy I want means 100% pure essential oils.
But sometimes the word aromatherapy is used, but what it really means is aromachology. That’s just aromas – any kind, from any chemical, and probably not 100% natural and pure (even if it does contain some essential oils). That may be fine at times, but when I want to fight a headache, I want to know what’s going into my nose. I prefer it not to contain 6 ingredients with long names that I can’t pronounce with numbers in the middle.
I wish the two would be differentiated more, but aromatherapy is the "in" word, and marketers want you to think you’re getting it when you’re really not.
For me, it’s worth it to go with real aromatherapy. The 100% pure essential oils last a long time, and are 100% natural. (More on aromatherapy and aromachology)
I’m combed through the literature and studies on both headache and migraine, and I’ve come up with the top 5 recommended essential oils to fight an attack. Here they are, in no particular order:
- Peppermint
- Sandlewood
- Lavender
- Eucalyptus
- Rosemary
Personally, I’m a big lavender fan for a migraine attack. Also, this time of year I have to admit a weakness for pine essential oil. I also like cinnamon leaf – not for a headache or migraine but just because.
For real high potency natural 100% essential oil, follow the links here.
What about you? What essential oils do you like during an attack (if any)? There are some great mixtures out there too – let’s hear your recommendations!
Popularity: 6% [?]
Loading ...
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
There’s a lavender farm local to me that sells a “headache relief stick” – it’s a roll-on stick of pure peppermint and lavender oil, diluted in sweet almond oil as a carrier (most essential oils, including peppermint, shouldn’t be applied to the skin undiluted as they can cause skin irritation or rash). I *love* this stick. It’s only essential oils and it takes the edge off both my head pain and usually my nausea, too.
I also have a spray bottle of lavender oil diluted in water that I spray my sheets with at night.
Be well,
MJ
Glad it helps! I usually go the candle and diffuser route, though I have tried a few different things.
I loved this post- Thank you! I would love to link to your post in my blog too, and am interested in your answers to my questions:
My mom introduced me to the whole aromatherapy thing, so I’m still a newbie and still a bit confused about the two. She bought me Rosemary oil in a diffuser to put by my bed. It does a wonderful job of clearing the sinuses, but caused awful Migraine attacks and nausea, so it’s been relegated to another part of the house. We grow English Lavender and weave our own lavender sticks with satin ribbon, (I highly recommend these!) but the stong smell is also a trigger for me. This is obviously the real thing, but isn’t a bottled essential oil. I still assume it would be Aromatherapy? Eucalyptus seems soothing to me, but again, too much is not a good thing, and I get it from the plant sources. On the other hand, I can smell peppermint oil so strong it burns, and it always makes me feel better. Lemon oil and peppermint seems soothing when mixed together, or a drop of peppermint oil over a freshly zested lemon by my bed. I also combine Sandalwood and rose oils together (the real things), and I love just a tiny touch on my pillow at night to help me sleep. So, am I using strictly aromatherapy as my sources are 100% natural and not chemically derived, or something else??
Thanks, Ellen,
As I point out in my post, these terms are so poorly used I don’t even know if we can agree on a definition. I think if we were going to be picky we would restrict it to 100% pure essential oils, but I’m comfortable putting “smelling flowers” in the same category, since it’s basically the same thing.
It won’t be a surprise to you that reactions are different for everyone, though there seem to be some “general rules” when it comes to aromatherapy. Everyone has to toy with different strengths and combinations. It’s fun to experiment (though it can be expensive at first – once you have a few on the shelf, it’s not so bad. Put them on your wish list everyone – great time to stock up!).
Well, I suppose I should have added that the plants are dried. Both Lavender and Eucalyptus seem to become very strong when dried.
Where is your favorite place to order essential oils?
Yes, I wasn’t suggesting you were just “smelling flowers” – just saying that anything with essential oils even as simple as smelling flowers could have a similar benefit!
I’ve tried different essential oils depending on what was available at the time where I was. I like what I see from Aroma Vera, which is why I linked to them above. There does seem to be a vast difference from brand to brand – the main thing is finding something you like, high potency if possible (depending on what you’re using it for), and 100% essential oil.