Aromatherapy for Soothing Headaches

By: Brooklyn A. Bradley, BS; Medically edited by Dr. Deena Kuruvilla, MD

Headaches can be debilitating, impacting our daily tasks and productivity levels. While there is the option of mainstream medical therapy, there are also complementary and integrative approaches that can offer additional relief. In today’s blog post, we will dive deeper into the world of aromatherapy – the therapeutic use of essential oils from plants for the improvement of physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being [1].

Aromatherapy is a division of herbal medicine, which is a subset of complementary and integrative medicine (CIM) therapies. Essential oils are volatile liquid substances extracted from aromatic plant material typically by steam distillation or mechanical expression [1]. Aromatherapy is claimed to be useful for a vast array of symptoms and conditions. Published studies typically focus on the psychological purposes of aromatherapy; for example, the use of aromatherapy as a stress reliever or anxiolytic agent. A 2017 randomized controlled trial on the effects of aromatherapy essential oil inhalation on stress, sleep quality, and immunity in healthy adults asked participants to inhale an essential oil blend of lemon, eucalyptus, tea tree, and peppermint at night for four weeks [2]. The researchers found that the aromatherapy group had significantly lower perceived stress levels and depression, in addition to significantly higher sleep quality. However, the aromatherapy group and control group did not differ in activation of their autonomic nervous system (regulates heart rate, blood pressure, respiration) or immune status [2]. 

Strong perfumes and other scents can often be a trigger for headaches. However, certain essential oils can be a great part of your pain management tool kit [3]. Stress is a very common headache trigger, and some studies have shown that certain essential oils can help relieve stress. A 2006 randomized controlled trial identifying the effects of aromatherapy on blood pressure and stress responses of patients with essential hypertension found that the difference in blood pressure, pulse, subjective stress, anxiety, and serum cortisol levels was statistically significant between the essential oil group and placebo and control groups [4]. In this particular study, the participants inhaled a blend of oils, including lavender, ylangylang, and bergamot [4]. Further, headaches and nausea may sometimes occur together. Peppermint oil aromatherapy is known for having potential anti-nausea effects and may be beneficial to those who experience nausea [5].

Some of the top essential oils for soothing headaches include lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, and chamomile. Lavender is a soothing scent that has been used for calming, relaxation, and stress relief [6]. Research suggests lavender may be useful in migraine management and improvement of sleep quality [6, 7]. Peppermint has a cooling effect that can be soothing. This effect inhibits muscle contractions in the head and neck while also increasing blood flow to the area [3]. Eucalyptus is a long evergreen plant and its oils have been used to regulate and activate various systems like the nervous system for neuralgia and headache. It is recommended for those dealing with sinus headaches, as its compounds can be used to clear away nasal mucus [8]. Rosemary is known for its stimulating properties, and can be beneficial during fatigue. Research has illustrated that rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties [9]. Finally, chamomile is known for its calming and mood stabilizing effects. Chamomile has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce head pain [10].

There is a wide variety of ways to incorporate aromatherapy into your daily routine. Some of the most common include diffusers, inhalation, massages, warm compress, and roll-ons. In terms of safety, it is important to dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (i.e., fractionated coconut oil) before applying to the skin. Performing a patch test prior to applying essential oil on the skin will ensure you do not have an adverse reaction to it. Individuals who are pregnant and those with certain health conditions should consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils.

It is important to understand that individual responses to aromatherapy can vary, and more research is needed to establish clear guidelines for its use in headache management. Always consult with healthcare professionals before relying solely on aromatherapy for treating headaches, especially if you have an existing medical condition or are taking medications.

 

References:

  1. PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board (2002) Aromatherapy With Essential Oils (PDQ®): Health Professional Version. In: PDQ Cancer Information Summaries. National Cancer Institute (US), Bethesda (MD)
  2. Lee M, Lim S, Song J-A, et al (2017) The effects of aromatherapy essential oil inhalation on stress, sleep quality and immunity in healthy adults: Randomized controlled trial. European Journal of Integrative Medicine 12:79–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eujim.2017.04.009
  3. Try These Essential Oils for Headaches and Migraines. https://www.excedrin.com/headaches/treatment/essential-oils-for-headaches/. Accessed 24 Jan 2024
  4. Hwang J-H (2006) [The effects of the inhalation method using essential oils on blood pressure and stress responses of clients with essential hypertension]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi 36:1123–1134. https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2006.36.7.1123
  5. Joulaeerad N, Ozgoli G, Hajimehdipoor H, et al (2018) Effect of Aromatherapy with Peppermint Oil on the Severity of Nausea and Vomiting in Pregnancy: A Single-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled trial. J Reprod Infertil 19:32–38
  6. Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, et al (2012) Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur Neurol 67:288–291. https://doi.org/10.1159/000335249
  7. ​​Hirokawa K, Nishimoto T, Taniguchi T (2012) Effects of lavender aroma on sleep quality in healthy Japanese students. Percept Mot Skills 114:111–122. https://doi.org/10.2466/13.15.PMS.114.1.111-122
  8. Kehrl W, Sonnemann U, Dethlefsen U (2004) Therapy for Acute Nonpurulent Rhinosinusitis With Cineole: Results of a Double‐Blind, Randomized, Placebo‐Controlled Trial. The Laryngoscope 114:738–742. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005537-200404000-00027
  9. Takaki I, Bersani-Amado LE, Vendruscolo A, et al (2008) Anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of Rosmarinus officinalis L. essential oil in experimental animal models. J Med Food 11:741–746. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2007.0524
  10. Zargaran A, Borhani-Haghighi A, Faridi P, et al (2014) Potential effect and mechanism of action of topical chamomile (Matricaria chammomila L.) oil on migraine headache: A medical hypothesis. Medical Hypotheses 83:566–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2014.08.023
Published On: January 31st, 2024