Which natural oils should you choose to relieve headaches?

Migraines are a type of headache (or cephalalgia) and vary in intensity. They are recurrent and throbbing and are linked to a genetic predisposition (heredity, vulnerability to a health condition, environmental factors, etc.). The pain caused by migraines results from nerve stimulation that leads to inflammation of neurons and dilation of blood vessels in the brain.

Each migraine attack is associated with one or more of the following symptoms: 

• Intense and throbbing pain on one side of the head, at the temple, or above an eye

• Sensory intolerance: difficulty tolerating light, noise, and movement, requiring isolation in a quiet, dark room

• Digestive symptoms: nausea or vomiting

• Unexpected sensation of heat or cold

• Vision problems (blurred vision, small black spots)

After a migraine, it is common to experience fatigue and difficulty concentrating.

A migraine is sometimes preceded by an aura that sets in within a few minutes and can last up to an hour. This phenomenon varies from person to person, but each patient always experiences the same symptoms. These may include: 

• visual disturbances (streaks of light, flickering, blurred vision, temporary loss of vision). This is known as an ophthalmic migraine.

• sensory disturbances (numbness, tingling)

• speech difficulties (trouble finding the right words)

• dizziness

When these symptoms appear, they are not always followed by a migraine. However, migraine with aura remains three times less common than classic migraine. Although these symptoms can be intense and alarming, migraine with aura is no more serious than migraine without aura.

A migraine that lasts longer than a few months is considered chronic. In such cases, it can no longer be classified as a migraine attack, as a true migraine lasts less than 72 hours. For half of migraine sufferers, the attack lasts no more than 6 hours and may even resolve quickly if treated promptly. In contrast, about 10% of patients experience migraines that last longer than 48 hours. The frequency of attacks is highly variable: attacks can occur a few times a year to several times a month. The more frequent and severe the attacks are, the greater the likelihood that the patient will experience frequent headaches between attacks.

A tension headache is defined as a moderate, diffuse, continuous pain that lasts without nausea or vomiting. It is generally accompanied by difficulty concentrating. It tends to occur toward the end of the day and is often linked to stress, fatigue, or psychological tension.

Essential oils are ideal for relieving tension headaches because they address both the causes—stress, nervous tension, and muscle stiffness—and the pain itself when applied topically. Essential oils such as Fine Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Linalool-rich Sweet Basil, and Petitgrain Bigarade are among the most effective for combating stress and relieving muscle tension; making them valuable allies in relieving tension headaches. Peppermint essential oil, thanks to its vasoconstrictive and local analgesic effects, quickly soothes headaches.