8 Best Essential Oils for Headaches and How to Use Them

Popping pills for headaches doesn’t seem like a big deal, but over time, even over-the-counter medications can take a toll on your body. For instance, Tylenol, which contains acetaminophen, can cause liver damage if you take too much. 

On the other hand, Advil, which contains ibuprofen, can cause stomach damage if you take too much. While you won’t be able to see the effects overnight, it’s definitely worth exploring a more natural remedy for your headaches. 

Essential oils offer a safe, natural, and effective remedy for headaches if you use the right oils correctly. Read on to learn more about the eight best essential oils for headaches and how to use them for instant relief. 

1. Peppermint Essential Oil

Perhaps the best essential oil that you can use to relieve your headache is peppermint. Using peppermint for healing isn’t new -- in fact, it has been used for thousands of years. It is thought that peppermint is effective for headache relief, thanks to its menthol composition. 

Many people think that natural or ancient remedies aren’t effective -- this is not the case for peppermint essential oil. Studies have shown that this oil provides natural relief for tension headaches and migraines. 

2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus is a fresh and soothing essential oil that is typically used to relieve sinus problems. However, it can be difficult to alleviate congestion headaches if your typical over-the-counter pain relievers won’t work. 

So if your headache is caused by congestion, then eucalyptus essential oil is a great solution. Eucalyptus essential oil may also be a solution for tension headaches, since it can soothe the body and mind -- relieving stress and anxiety. 

3. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils, thanks to its wide range of uses. This floral scent is extremely relaxing and can reduce stress and even promote sleep. These benefits can also be applied to headaches, as they are often caused by stress or a lack of sleep. 

Additionally, lavender essential oil may be able to relieve pain caused by severe headaches or migraines based on evidence from a clinical trial. This trial found that inhaling lavender for 15 minutes reduced the severity of migraine symptoms. 

4. Chamomile Essential Oil

Just as you drink chamomile tea to relax after a long and stressful day, you can use the essential oil to relieve your stress headaches. Chamomile essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can relax the muscles in the body and alleviate your stubborn headache. 

Even though chamomile essential oil is quite safe, it is not recommended for use by pregnant women. 

5. Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary is a delicious herb commonly used in the kitchen, but it also has healing uses. Like chamomile, rosemary essential oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe pain and inflammation all over the body from head to toe. 

Rosemary essential oil can be used to improve blood circulation and treat headaches. It may also be used to ease stress and tension, which often contribute to the development of headaches. 

6. Geranium Essential Oil

Geranium is a lovely floral essential oil that’s typically used in perfumes. This essential oil is particularly effective in reducing symptoms related to hormonal problems. Headaches are a common side effect, so geranium essential oil may be able to help ease this symptom and others that may come along. 

7. Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense is an ancient herb that dates back to biblical times. This essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can effectively treat cluster headaches that result from muscle pain in the neck and back. 

Frankincense essential oil can also improve stress and sleep thanks to its soothing effects. 

8. Ginger Essential Oil

Ginger is used in the kitchen and for gastrointestinal issues -- so what about headaches? 

As it turns out, this essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that make it an effective remedy for painful migraines. 

Migraines can be a frustrating condition to deal with on a regular basis. So before you start taking prescription medications to treat this chronic condition, try using ginger essential oil instead. 

How to Use Essential Oils to Relieve Headaches?

There are several different ways that you can use essential oils to help ease the symptoms of pain and discomfort caused by your headache. Here are some different methods that you can try out for yourself.

Diffuse

The most obvious way to use essential oils to relieve headaches is to diffuse your favorite oil in an essential oil diffuser. This method can spread the oil throughout your space, provide an incredible aroma, and improve your symptoms simultaneously. 

All you need to do is add a few drops of oil into your diffuser, turn it on, and relax while you wait for relief. 

Bath

If you’re really looking for a way to relax and relieve your headache, you should try an essential oil bath. Baths on their own can help relieve headaches, but they are particularly effective once essential oils are added to the mix. 

Simply run a nice warm bath, add a few drops of essential oils, and take a nice soak. Your headache will be history in no time! 

Compress

Cold and warm compresses are common remedies for headaches. And while these methods can work, they work better when you add essential oils. 

To make an essential oil compress, soak a small towel in cold or warm water before adding a few drops of essential oil. Then, lay down in a comfortable position and apply the compress to your forehead or neck for instant relief. 

Massage

Many people resort to massaging their temples when they have a headache. However, this remedy is much more effective when you incorporate essential oils. 

Before you massage essential oils directly to your skin, you first need to dilute them with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil. From there, you can massage the mixture onto your temples -- making sure to avoid sensitive areas like your eyes. 

Inhale

If your diffuser isn’t doing the trick or you don’t have one handy, there’s another way to quickly relieve your headache using essential oils inhalation. 

In this method, you apply two to three drops of oil to a cotton ball, place it in your hands, cup them to your nose, and inhale deeply. Alternatively, you can take one drop of oil, rub it between your palms, cup them to your nose, and breathe in. 

Where to Buy the Best Essential Oils for Headaches?

Essential oils – group image

Although there are tons of different ways to relieve your headache using essential oils, relief isn’t guaranteed. You need to use the best essential oil products that are made safely and effectively. 

While you may assume that any product on the shelf meets those criteria, that’s not necessarily the case, since the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t regulate them. 

For this reason, you definitely need to do your own research into the essential oil products you’re interested in buying. The best place to do this is online to read more information about the products, read customer reviews, and ask any questions. 

Obviously, there’s no shortage of online sources for essential oils -- so how can you find the best source? 

Look no further than WOW Skin Science. 

WOW Skin Science is committed to providing 100% pure therapeutic-grade essential oils. We only produce quality vegan products that are free of gluten, parabens, and other chemicals, and we have over 15,000 5-Star customer reviews from satisfied customers. 

Wrap Up on Essential Oils for Headaches

So before you reach for Advil or Tylenol for your headache, try using essential oils instead.

Peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, chamomile, rosemary, geranium, frankincense, and ginger essential oils all have properties that can effectively relieve pain and tension caused by your headache. 

For quick and lasting relief, look for essential oils produced by reputable companies like WOW Skin Science. 

WOW is dedicated to producing natural and vegan products that range from quality essential oils to healing beauty products. 

Sources:

Aromatherapy | FDA 

5 Essential Oils for Headaches: Which Oils and How to Use Them | Medical News Today

26 Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen Side Effects, Uses, Differences, Dosage | Medicine Net