These five scents can be a powerful part of your pain management tool kit. Learn which essential oils are good for headaches.
When you suffer from headaches, strong perfumes and other scents can often be a trigger. But sometimes, the right aroma can be a treatment as well. Essential oils—a concentrated liquid containing fragrant botanical extracts—can be a great addition to your headache management program. The reason? Studies show that certain essential oils can help relieve stress,1 a major trigger for tension headaches.
To get the most out of essential oils, place a few drops in a diffuser as you rest in a quiet, soothing place for at least 20 minutes. As you relax, you can also employ strategies like deep breathing. Be sure to remember that while essential oils can be helpful, they’re optimal as part of a holistic approach to self-care and headache relief.
Read on to learn about the best types of essential oils for treating headaches and what science says about their healing powers.
Lavender
This soothing scent has long been used to provide a sense of calm, so it’s no surprise that research shows it’s a powerful tool when combined with massage or gentle pressure for easing the stress that may contribute to tension in the back and neck muscles.2 One study found that lavender may also be effective in the management of migraines.3 Other research suggests that lavender can improve sleep quality in people, a possible benefit for those who suffer from sleep deprivation-related headaches.4,5
Peppermint
If you suffer from tension headaches, peppermint oil may help. Peppermint has a cooling effect that inhibits muscle contractions in the head and neck while also stimulating blood flow to the area. This essential oil cooling comes from menthol, the same compound found in many over-the-counter topical pain-relieving products. A recent meta-analysis of multiple studies found that massaging this essential oil into the temples and forehead can help relieve tension headaches.6
