How Do You Use Lavender for Migraines?

Adults can inhale lavender essential oil for quick relief. To do this, add 2 to 4 drops of oil to 2 to 3 cups of boiling water. Then, inhale the vapors. You can also massage a few drops into the skin. A migraine is a headache that can cause severe throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation, usually on one side of the head. It’s often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

If anything, essential oils may help your discomfort indirectly by calming and relaxing you. 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.

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.

Migraine sufferers “were asked to, at the early signs of a headache—rub 2-3 drops of the lavender essential oil onto their upper lip and inhale its vapor for a 15-min period” of time, and score the severity of their headache for the next two hours.

Lavender essential oil is commonly used for stress relief and relaxation. There’s also strong evidence that lavender can help treat headaches and migraine. Breathing in the scent of lavender essential oil can help the acute management of migraine attacks.

Lavender affects human EEG pattern accompanied with its anxiolytic effect. It is reported that inhalation of lavender (diluted to 10% concentration) for 3 minutes increases alpha power of EEG as decreases anxiety and brings the subject to a better mood in 40 healthy adults.

The most popular way to use essential oils for headaches and migraines is to apply a few drops to your temples and forehead – or wherever you are experiencing pain. Because they are so concentrated and can cause skin sensitivity, it’s best to dilute them in a carrier oil like fractionated coconut, jojoba or almond oil.

Lavender has a long history of medicinal use and is suggested to possess anticonvulsant, antidepressive, anxiolytic, sedative, and calming properties.

Lavender tea. Lavender is a soothing medicinal herb that has been used in herbal medicine to treat a wide variety of illnesses, from headaches to anxiety and depression. Studies have shown that lavender aromatherapy can help to treat migraine headaches and reduce headache severity.

Side effects might include constipation, diarrhea, and headache. When applied to the skin: Lavender is possibly safe. It’s usually well-tolerated, but can sometimes cause skin irritation. When inhaled: Lavender essential oil is possibly safe.

Applying essential oils to your temples is another option, especially if you find that stress is causing headaches or migraines. Lavender and peppermint essential oils are perfect to ease stress, as well as reducing your chances of suffering from a headache or migraine attack.

Most studies suggest that inhaling lavender essential oil for a minimum of three minutes, but preferably 10 to 30 minutes at a time, is effective. The positive effects can be experienced soon after inhalation as it is absorbed quickly.

Lavender May Reduce the Severity of Migraine Pain

But keep it away from your mouth and eyes — it’s toxic if ingested. There is research to show that lavender has benefits for anxiety and stress as well as in reducing the severity and frequency of migraines, says Lin.

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