"Urrghh..." by Sarah G. is licensed under C.C. BY 2.0
‘Tis the season… for headaches. Change in weather, busy schedules, traffic… all of the pressures of daily life can add up to one thing: pain. When looking for alternatives to over-the-counter pain relief, essential oils are becoming increasingly popular. One of the most commonly used is peppermint oil because it contains a significant amount of menthol. Menthol is great because it can help relax and ease tension headaches along with muscular aches and pains.
When trying out any essential oil, it is important to understand the variety of application methods. Like all essential oils, peppermint oil is highly concentrated in its pure form and not safe to apply directly to your skin. It is very effective when used in a carrier oil- we recommend our own lightweight Sweet Almond Oil, because it will absorb the most quickly into your skin. Our custom-scented oils come in convenient 4, 8, and 16 ounce bottles and the best thing is that we will blend the oil for you. Headache relief is on the way!
Once you have the bottle of oil ready to use, a helpful tip is to gently shake the bottle to disperse the peppermint oil throughout the carrier oil. Then, apply 1-4 drops onto your fingers and massage the oil onto your forehead and back of neck and/or temples. Just be careful not to get any in your eyes!
You can also use peppermint oil in a diffuser or create a spray room mist. We carry a variety of diffusers from plug-ins to the mist diffusers. The type of diffuser you choose will depend on your needs and the size of the room where you will use it. We can easily create a room spray mist in our own 4, 8, or 16 ounce splash. An extra bonus is that all of our Garden of Eden products are refillable- and aren’t saving money and the planet great stress relievers?
For immediate relief, inhalation may be your best bet. Simply apply 1-3 drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball or tissue. In case of sensitivity to the oil, start with one drop of oil for the first time you the first time you use it. Place the cotton ball or tissue near your nose and inhale. This method works especially well when treating sinus headaches.
One final tip- when using essential oils, less if often safer and more effective than overusing an oil. Always use essential oils sensibly and stop if you are having an adverse reaction. Trust the Garden Gal- there really can be “too much of a good thing”!
As always, if you have any further questions, visit our website or give us a call at 800-405-5545. And don’t forget to follow us on social media- we love to connect with our customers in real life and virtually!
Sources:
http://www.aromaweb.com/articles/aromatherapy-essential-oils-for-headaches.asp
http://naturesgiftaromatherapy.blogspot.com/2009/06/aromatherapy-for-natural-head-ache.html