Migraine is a very painful type of headache that disturbs the life of millions of people all over the world.
The pain is often described as an intense pulsing or throbbing pain in one area of the head and is often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and vomiting.
Some researchers believe that migraines may be caused by imbalances in brain chemicals, including serotonin, which plays a regulatory role for pain messages.
During a headache, serotonin levels drop and it is thought that this causes the trigeminal nerve to release substances called neuropeptides, which travel to your brain's outer covering (meninges). There they cause blood vessels to become dilated and inflamed. The result is headache pain.
There are several migraine triggers which affect people in different ways: hormonal changes (in women), lack of food or sleep, stress, exposure to bright lights, change of weather or season, intense physical activity, red wine, beer, cured cheese, chocolate, caffeine, aspartame, monosodium glutamate and many others.
I have suffered from migraine for a long time and there was a time where I would have an attack every single weekend. Going from one doctor to the other and taking medicines as Topamax, Triptans (Sumatriptan), Ibuprofen and anti-depressants had become a sad routine in my life.
This time is over and although I can not say that I am a migraine-free person, my condition has improved a lot using essential oils, changing my diet and my way of life.
Essential oils and Migraine
There are several essential oils that can help alleviate migraine. It is very important to start a treatment as soon as you feel that a migraine attack is coming.
The most recommended essential oils for the treatment of migraine are:
- Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum)
- Lavander (Lavandula angustifolia)
- Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus smithii)
- Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
- Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
As soon as I feel that a migraine attack is coming, I go for my Peppermint essential oil.
Peppermint essential oil is analgesic, cooling and anti-inflammative, and according to published research, its effectiveness has been shown to be equivalent to that of conventional drugs, without the adverse events!
I gently apply a very small amount (not more than a drop) of peppermint essential oil neat by small strokes on the forehead, on my temples (for me the best spot), and behind the ears, paying attention to NOT get the oil in contact with the eyes. I also massage the nape of the neck, going down from the occipital bone to the trapezium.
Caution: peppermint essential oil is very irritant to the eyes and all mucous membranes, so be very careful!
After that I usually lay down and wait a couple of minutes (time may differ from one person to the other) until a very interesting and relieving effect starts. I then notice that the area where the essential oil was applied gets a cooling effect and the pain slowly goes away. This cooling effect is due to the presence of menthol, which is in small quantities in Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita).
In cases of nausea sometimes it is enough just to breathe a little bit of peppermint essential oil to stop it.
Caution: Peppermint oil may cause sensitization. If you have a very sensitive skin, you should try to mix peppermint essential oil to a carrier oil (sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil) and apply the blend to the areas explained above.
Peppermint oil should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be used in children under 7 years old.
Therapeutic properties of Peppermint essential oil
- Analgesic, anesthetic, vasoconstrictor (reasons why it helps to alleviate migraine)
- Antiseptic, decongestant, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, stomachic, carminative
- Antigalactagogue, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, astringent, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial
It is a great thing to know that you can make your pain go away in a natural way without all those drug adverse events. But how can you prevent migraine attacks?
I am not an expert, but one has to say that without changes in your way of life and in your diet, you will not go further. If you suffer from migraine or any other health condition, your body is trying to tell you that something is really wrong in your life.
A healthy diet, with plenty of water, fruits and vegetables is a good start to a healthier state. I drink no alcohol at all, eat seldom cheese, avoid chocolate and I try to avoid coffee as much as I can. I also have to say that I stopped drinking cow milk, replacing it with rice, soya and oat milk. Believe me, you get used to it and it tastes good!
Another tip: do some exercise! But do something that you really enjoy. It won´t help you if you go to the gym 3 times a week and you do not enjoy it! There are so many ways of exercising your body, you will find yours and your body will say thanks to you.
And if you are under stress at work or at home, try to move the stress away. Think positive, act in a loving way to others, visualize good and happy things. If you are not happy with what you are doing, look for something else that really makes you happy! There is enough food, enough work, enough money for everybody in the Universe. The kingdom of God is inside of you,
and as a creator, you can achieve anything you dream of, including a healthy and happy life.
Please be aware that this information is for reference purposes only and it does not substitute professional advice given by your physician or health care provider. For serious conditions always seek medical advice.
References:
- MayoClinic.com website
- Huete, Anna, Aromaterapia, el poder curativo de las flores y plantas, 2007 Editorial Océano
- Pénoel, Daniel, MD, Pénoel, Rose-Marie 1998 Natural Home Health Care using Essential Oils France: Osmobiose Publishing
- Schnaubelt, Kurt 1998 Medical Aromatherapy - Healing with Essential Oils California: Frog
