Peppermint oil is one of the most commonly used essential oils to treat headaches and migraine attacks. It contains menthol, which can help relax muscles and ease pain. It’s thought that applying diluted peppermint oil topically can help relieve pain from both tension headaches and migraine attacks.
Where do I put peppermint oil for a headache?
Dab a couple drops of your oil mixture onto your fingers and massage it onto your temples, the back of your neck, your shoulders, and your chest area. Tension headaches are often caused by muscle contractions in this part of your body.
Why does peppermint help headaches?
Peppermint has a cooling effect that inhibits muscle contractions in the head and neck while also stimulating blood flow to the area. This essential oil cooling comes from menthol, the same compound found in many over-the-counter topical pain-relieving products.
What smells are good for headaches?
Some scientific evidence suggests that specific essential oils might be particularly beneficial for reducing headache symptoms. These are lavender, rosemary, peppermint, chamomile, and eucalyptus oils.
Does peppermint mints help with headaches?
Peppermint and menthol are numbing and calming, making them useful to soothe the overactive nervous system during a migraine attack.
Can I apply peppermint oil directly to skin?
People can use peppermint oil in a variety of ways. It can be: applied topically (on the skin) diffused in the form of essential oil.
What essential oil is best for headaches?
WHICH ESSENTIAL OILS ARE BEST FOR HEADACHES & MIGRAINES?
- Peppermint Oil. Best for: Stress or tension headaches, migraines, hormonal and hangover headaches.
- Lavender Oil. Best for: Migraines due to stress and lack of sleep, tension headaches, hormonal and hangover headaches.
- Eucalyptus Oil.
- Rosemary Oil.
- Chamomile Oil.
What gets rid of headaches fast?
Over-the-Counter Medication for Tension Headache Relief
Medication that contains only one drug, like Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin are effective headache treatments, he says, as are those that include a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine.
What is better for headaches peppermint or lavender?
There are two essential oils specifically that may be helpful—lavender, which may help with a migraine, and peppermint, which may help with a tension-type headache.
Is peppermint oil good for sinus headaches?
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which helps to open airways and clear out your mucus. Studies have shown that peppermint oil can also fight bacteria, which is one of the triggers of sinus congestion. Testing on animals has also shown that peppermint oil helps to reduce inflammation.
Why do I keep getting headaches and feeling sick?
Conditions that can cause nausea and headaches
the flu, stomach flu, or common cold. stress, depression, or anxiety. excessive use of nicotine, caffeine, or alcohol. food allergies.
What causes a migraine?
Stress at work or home can cause migraines. Sensory stimuli. Bright or flashing lights can induce migraines, as can loud sounds. Strong smells — such as perfume, paint thinner, secondhand smoke and others — trigger migraines in some people.
What causes a headache?
Chemical activity in your brain, the nerves or blood vessels surrounding your skull, or the muscles of your head and neck (or some combination of these factors) can play a role in primary headaches. Some people may also carry genes that make them more likely to develop such headaches.
Does peppermint candy help migraines?
Help With Headaches
The active ingredient in peppermint is menthol. Some small studies show it can lessen the pain of migraine headaches. It may also reduce other symptoms like light sensitivity, nausea, and vomiting.
What causes tension headaches?
Tension headaches occur when neck and scalp muscles become tense or contract. The muscle contractions can be a response to stress, depression, head injury, or anxiety. They may occur at any age, but are most common in adults and older teens.
Can menthol relieve a headache?
Background: Peppermint and its active ingredient menthol have long been used for the treatment of various pain conditions including headache.
Is peppermint anti inflammatory?
Effects on Inflammation
Studies demonstrate that peppermint oil (menthol) possesses anti-inflammatory activity.
What medications does peppermint interfere with?
Peppermint may interact with some drugs, including:
- cyclosporine, taken by transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection.
- drugs that reduce stomach acid.
- ulcer medications.
- calcium channel blockers and other drugs used for hypertension or high blood pressure.
What is peppermint oil best used for?
Peppermint oil is commonly used as flavoring in foods and beverages and as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. Peppermint oil also is used for a variety of health conditions and can be taken orally in dietary supplements or topically as a skin cream or ointment.
How do you dilute peppermint oil?
We recommend starting out using Peppermint diluted 1:4 with a carrier oil. If you want to use it undiluted, do a patch test of 1 drop to see how it feels on your skin. If you experience a reaction to the oil, dilute the oil with a 1:4 ratio of carrier oil and try another patch test.
What essential oil helps anxiety?
Lavender is one of the most popular aromatherapy oils. It has a sweet floral scent with a woody or herbal undertone. Lavender oil can be used to calm anxiety. It also has a sedative effect and may help with sleep troubles, including if feelings of stress or anxiety are keeping you up at night.