There’s nothing worse than enduring throbbing pain because of a headache. Even more so when it happens in the middle of your workday and you’re overwhelmed with deadlines. If you’re one to shy away from over-the-counter medicines for pain relief, you’ve probably tried using alternatives to help with your headache. If yes, have you tried using peppermint oil as a remedy?
The Benefits Of Peppermint Oil
Essential oils like peppermint are highly concentrated substances derived from plant elements such as roots, barks, leaves, flowers, and stems. Perhaps among the most popular uses of these oils is in aromatherapy since some believe essential oils help improve circulation and reduce stress. The health benefits of these oils don’t come with alarming side effects that often concern those who prefer not to take the usual medications. (1) (2)
For this reason, people suffering from headaches and migraines turn to peppermint oil for relief. The body’s smell receptors connected to the limbic system can quickly absorb the oil, thus helping in controlling blood pressure, heart rate, stress, and breathing. (1)
Whether taken topically or orally, peppermint can help alleviate the symptoms of different types of headaches, whether migraines or those caused by anxiety, hangovers, hormones, stress, or tension. Other benefits of peppermint oil include helping with conditions such as toothaches, itchiness, allergic rash, cramps, respiratory and sinus infections, coughs, muscle pain, and menstrual problems. (2)
Using Peppermint Oil For Headaches
Pure and organic peppermint oil is the best if you want to make the most out of its benefits, especially for alleviating headaches. You can tell by checking if the oil has been steam-pressed or cold-pressed because that means the product contains pure peppermint. As much as possible, steer clear from solvent-pressed oils because those usually contain added ingredients such as propane, acetone, and alcohol. (3)
To use peppermint oil for headaches, here are some tips and suggestions:
- Add a few drops to your bath
Perhaps you already know one trick that could help ease headaches, and that’s to take a cold bath. To make it even more effective, try adding a few drops of peppermint oil to your bath to boost its relaxing and calming benefits. Make sure you dilute the oil first before adding. (3)
If you’re like most people who suffer from terrible migraines and headaches, you probably don’t … Read more
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