We all know the feeling; the aching throb and sharp pain of a headache radiating across the head with a vise-like quality. And unfortunately, headaches seem to hit at the most inopportune times! Here at EOL we’re big proponents of using all-natural remedies for common daily ailments when possible. Below are our three favorite ways to use essential oils to help ease and soothe headache pain - try these before popping an ibuprofen when you feel your next headache coming on!

Inhale Peppermint Oil With Steam

Some studies have shown that peppermint oil can help ease a headache, as it can help to control blood flow as well as open up the sinuses for improved oxygen flow. Breathing in steam from peppermint oil-infused hot water can do wonders for soothing headache pain. Here’s how:

In a pot over the stove, heat up 5 cups of water
Remove water from heat and transfer to a glass or ceramic bowl and allow it to cool just slightly so that the steam is not so hot that it will burn
Add 3-5 drops peppermint oil to the water (optional: add an additional 2 drops lavender oil)
Lean over the bowl of water, covering both your head and the bowl with a towel
Breathe deeply while relaxing all the muscles in your face and neck, allowing the oil-infused steam to work its magic for 5-10 minutes

Essential Oil Massage

Depending on the type of headache you are experiencing, a targeted essential oil massage might do the trick. If your headache is focused mainly behind the eyes, do this.

In a small glass or ceramic dish (or in a roller bottle) dilute 3 drops peppermint oil and 3 drops lavender oil with 1 tablespoon of odorless carrier oil
Using your index and pointer fingers, slowly massage this blend onto temples using circular motions while inhaling deeply
If you are experiencing a tension headache, focus the massage at the base/back of the neck and shoulders – enlist a family member or friend to massage the blend into shoulders and back!

Diffuse Essential Oils

If you feel a headache coming on and there’s no time to apply essential oils topically or sit down for a steam session, try simply diffusing peppermint and lavender oil throughout your home or workspace. And if that’s not possible, you can even just inhale the essential oil directly from the bottle. It's simple but effective!

Tip: We always like to carry a roller bottle in our bags with a simple blend of peppermint oil mixed with an odorless carrier oil. 3-5 drops of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil is a good ratio to begin with. You can increase the potency with time as you prefer.

Don't like peppermint essential oil?

While peppermint essential oil is shown to be one of the best oils for headache pain management and prevention, not everyone can tolerate it. Luckily, there are a few other essential oils that can be used in the same way (including the methods mentioned above) to help manage and prevent headache pain. Our favorites are: