Get Rid of Headaches Naturally: Peppermint Oil to the Rescue

by Emylee

We all have headaches at some time or the other, and the reasons can be hard to describe. Scientifically it’s the blood vessels in the brain and neck that signal the pain. The pain can be a mild throbbing one or a sharp ache; the reasons could be from stress to blood pressure.

Your Symptoms Can Tell You the Cause

A headache is generally caused due to overactivity of pain-sensitive areas in our head. Here are a few indicators to assess, what might be the cause of it.

• If the person feels like there’s a tight head headband around their head, or the pain starts from or spreads to the neck, chances are it’s due to Tension. They come in the form of episodic attacks and can last for hours.
• Does the headache cause nausea and dizziness? If yes, then you might have a Migraine. It also accompanies blurry vision and can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
• Insomnia, nasal congestion, neck pain, and restlessness? The reason might be the overuse of medications, mainly to treat headaches. Such kind of a condition is known as Rebound headache.
• Severe pain on the one side of your head causing burning eyes can be an indicator that you have a Cluster headache, it can happen anytime and can make the nasal passage of the affected side, feel stiff and congested, the eyes can get red and swollen too.
• Sudden, severe headaches that may feel like the worst pain of your life could be the Thunderclap headaches, these type of head pains are even life-threatening because they can be an indicator of something serious happening inside.

Headaches are generally treatable at home unless they are sudden, severe, and long-lasting.

5 Tips to Get Rid of Headaches Quickly

Headaches are quite frequent, and that’s why here are some of the best tried and tested techniques to make you feel better, without even taking a trip to the drugstore,

1. A cold pack or heating packs!

Based on the symptoms, if you feel like it’s a migraine, try placing a cold pack on your forehead. Just wrap some ice cubes in a towel and compress your head for 15 minutes. If you have pain around the neck as well, then the chances are it’s due to sinus or Tension, in that case keeping a warm cloth around your neck or the back of your head can bring some ease.

2. Don’t chew

However, tempting it may be, don’t bite your fingernails, inside of your cheeks; better yet, don’t eat anything for some time. It can hurt your jaws, create Tension inside the nerves, and can lead to further pain.

3. The caffeine kick

Anything with mild caffeine, coffee or tea, can help relieve the pain as it offers an instant mood lift and adrenaline, don’t take it too much or the release of it will cause a different kind of headache.

4. Take some massage

A few minutes of massage on the temples and around your neck can ease the pain and relieve stress.

5. Try some ginger

Ginger is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It acts in the same way as some over the counter pain killer, brew some in your tea, and enjoy the sips.

Peppermint Oil to the Rescue

This essential oil is a necessary ingredient of aromatherapy, rich in plant elements, and it works by targeting sensory stimuli and can help treat certain conditions, especially headaches and migraines. Always make sure to use them in their diluted form, if the oil is undiluted, mix it with some carrier oil like jojoba, almond or coconut. The ration should be one spoonful of carrier oil mixed with 5 drops of essential oil.

Why Peppermint Oil?

Peppermint oil works effectively for headaches by providing a numbing effect followed by a cooling sensation helps to ease muscular Tension, makes them relaxed, and reduces the pain. The primary ingredient is menthol. It isn’t recommended for children and infants because it contains strong scent that can cause rashes and breathing difficulties to them.

There are various ways to use it:

• Take a massage
• Add about 3-7 drops to your vaporizer
• Make some tea and add a few drops to it
• Add a few drops to your bathtub.

Don’t forget to do a patch test first, before using any oils for the first time.

If the pain is consistently severe, visit a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment.

About the Author

Emylee is a wellness lifestyle writer. She loves sharing her thoughts and personal experiences related to natural remedies, yoga and fitness through her writing. She currently writes for How To Cure. She can connect with others experiencing health concerns and help them through their recovery journeys through natural remedies.

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