Aromatherapy Headache Treatment
For thousands of years aromatherapy headache treatments have been used for migraine and tension headache. You may have heard of it before this but wondered how aromatherapy and headache go together. Indeed, until modern medicine discovered the pills and pharmaceuticals that would treat headaches, scents of oils and plants were about the only things used. Now, we have purified essential oils to use.
The lack of treatment was so profound that stories in literature talk about people trying to sleep off a “sick headache” by putting a wet cloth on their heads that was scented with lavender.
Let’s get one thing straight first of all: aromatherapy has not been shown to stop an acute headache like a migraine. But remember, one of the things that accompany migraine is anxiety, so part of the treatment of headaches in general is to practice stress reduction techniques such as biofeedback techniques, and to use aids that may reduce stress and anxiety.
How Does Aromatherapy Work?
One of the official terms used in aromatherapy headache work is aromachology which is the study and use of essential oils to promote well being.
One of the main theories is that certain scents may have an effect on the limbic center of the brain (see diagram). The limbic center of the brain is responsible for emotions that are common to all humans, and certain basic behaviors such as the one that induces the females to nurse and protect their toddlers, or the one which induces these animals to develop ludic behaviors (playful moods). Emotions such as fright, love, hate, passion, and sadness all originate in the limbic system in addition to some personal identity and memory.
Some researchers believe that the connection from the olfactory center in the nose, to the limbic center in the brain is what is responsible for the reaction to scents. Essential oils could work on the central nervous system and perhaps affect autoimmune function. These ideas are just theories at the present time and have yet to be proven.
Cautions With Aromatherapy Headache Treatments
As mentioned above, discuss with your doctor if you have asthma before using any type of aromatherapy.
Other considerations are: do not use if pregnant unless your doctor approves, do not use if you have seizure disorder, it is best not to use on children as they are more sensitive to some odors. Use only organic essential oils and keep oils in a cool dark place and discard if separating. DO NOT ingest essential oils!
How Do I Use Aromatherapy Headache Treatment?
There are several different ways to use aromatherapy for headache treatment, such as a few drops in a warm bath, in a diffuser, and the old fashioned way of a few drops rubbed into the temples. Trying to figure out what aromatherapy is and how it can help your headaches can be quite confusing.
If you have never used aromatherapy or don’t know what it is, you might want to read a little more about aromatherapy headache treatments and how this can impact the lifestyle of a migraineur. When a headache hits, no matter if it is a migraine or a severe tension headache, it is important to find a quiet place and try to relax. Of course you should take your medication as soon as possible as having scented oils around will not stop the pain.
Learn some meditation techniques and use them during this time as a type of biofeedback. This will not only relax you, but help reduce the pain. Aromatherapy can be used as an adjunct here to assist with relaxation.
One of the things to remember when exploring the world of aromatherapy is that pure organic essential oils are always the best. In fact, if you can find organic oils, those are even better. Organics tend to be consistent from bottle to bottle.
I have used essential oils in a diffuser when doing yoga and it does create a sense of calm. I prefer lavender but lemon is nice too! These oils can be mixed into massage oil and you can give it to the massage therapist to use just for you. A few drops in a hot bath is excellent when trying to relax during a headache.
Which Aromatherapy Oils Are Best For Headache
Lavender has been used for stress reduction for hundreds of years and is a pleasant scent. It generally results in calming the mood.
Eucalyptus has been used for headache by rubbing it on the skin, but quite frankly it doesn’t work! Like menthol, it may open the nasal passages if used as an inhalant, so if you are congested with a headache this use may help.
Peppermint oil has shown to have some effectiveness in treating a tension headache. The oil is mixed 10% to 90% ethanol, and rubbed lightly across the forehead. The mechanism is unknown but The American Academy of Family Practice has noted in a study that it most probably does work.
Sandalwood is supposed to help with mental fatigue, which can be a part of the recovery after a bad headache. Note that although much is written about sandalwood for headaches, no studies have shown yet that it can effectively treat a headache.
By: Mary Betz
About the Author:
Mary K. Betz, MS RPA-C is a practicing Physician Assistant in neurology who specializes in headache medicine. For more information visit http://www.headache-adviser.com/aromatherapy-treatment.html
Categories: Aromatherapy Tags: Aromachology, Headache Treatment, Limbic System
Aromatherapy For Some Common Female Problems
It is interesting to note that among the most common ailments besieging modern women are those involving the reproductive system. Pre-menstrual symptoms or PMS, menstrual cramps and menopause are just some of the problems plaguing the female population.
There are a lot of available medications for each of these problems. There are a number of prescription and non-prescription drugs and several lifestyle changes, which can help relieve the symptoms or totally treat or prevent these problems from happening. And one effective way of treating some of the most common female problems is through aromatherapy.
Aromatherapy Cures for PMS
Although there are still no conclusive reports on what really causes pre-menstrual syndrome or PMS, the role of the ovarian hormone called prostaglandin is slowly being established as its most probable cause. Studies indicate that a certain prostaglandin called PG2 can initiate some of the symptoms of PMS. The onset of headaches, nausea, water retention, ****** tenderness and bowel changes before a woman’s period can be attributed to this hormone. PG2 was also proven to induce mood swings, irritability and alcohol craving.
To help ease these problems, aromatherapy experts generally suggest using cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger and thyme to lower the level of PG2 in the body. In alleviating the other symptoms of PMS, experts agree on the following suggestions:
. The use of essential oils of chamomile or lavender can help relieve menstrual cramps due to their relaxing and analgesic properties. The essential oils of melissa or marjoram can also be effective in reducing these symptoms.
. Headaches can be prevented by inhaling lavender, melissa or marjoram essential oil.
. Prevent water retention by using essential oils of carrot seed, grapefruit or juniper.
. For depression associated with PMS, the use of clary sage can be extremely beneficial. Other essential oils of choice are jasmine, neroli and ylang-ylang. These oils are considered to be very effective antidepressants and can provide a soothing relief to frayed nerves.
Help Relieve Menopausal Problems with Essential Oils
The cessation of a woman’s menstrual cycle or menopause is usually associated with a number of discomforting symptoms. That is why most women usually dread the onset of this phase in their lives. Among the most common symptoms associated with menopause are hot flashes (or flushes), skin and vaginal dryness, thinning hair, fragile bones (osteoporosis), anxiety and depression. To help relieve these symptoms, the following suggestions can be of great help:
. The dryness of the skin and the vaginal walls can greatly benefit from a rejuvenating massage oil or cream. Geranium and lavender oils are highly recommended for this purpose.
. During menopause, the level of a woman’s female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) starts to decline. This hormonal imbalance brings about most of the menopausal symptoms a woman experiences. Therefore, stabilizing the hormones can be very beneficial and may help alleviate the symptoms associated with menopause.
According to a well-renowned pharmacologist, many essential oils are observed to take on hormone-like activities and have the tendency to react with the same receptors as the original hormones. Considering this, a menopausal woman can benefit greatly from using estrogenic oils such as clary sage, anise, angelica, coriander, cypress, fennel and sage.
By: Michael Russell
About the Author:
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Aromatherapy
Categories: Aromatherapy Tags: Common Ailments, Modern Women, Pre Menstrual Symptoms
Aromatherapy – Health Advantages And Benefits
Aromatherapy has become a very popular means of healing and relaxation, and is practiced all over the world today. Dating back to ancient civilizations, its use of a variety of natural oils from herbs and plants has been known to aid in the healing of many conditions and provide both physical and mental relief to many people. As shown in more recent times, there are many health benefits to using Aromatherapy, a fact that wasn’t lost on those in ancient times.
For centuries, essential oils have been used for massage purpose to relax the body and promote both physical and spiritual healing. It has been proven to work because it is thought that the aroma of the essential oils activate nerve endings in the nose, which then send impulses to the part of the brain that deals with emotions and memory. Because of this, it can have a very calming and soothing effect, which in turn, promotes relaxation.
Aromatherapy has also been shown to help relieve stress. This is done both by the massage itself, and through the aromatic part described above. This is useful even for those who don’t necessarily need physical healing, but would just like to relax.
Aromatherapy can also be used to help heal a variety of physical health conditions by stimulating the immune system, thereby, healing to further build it and make it stronger. It can also stimulate the circulatory system, which will help blood flow more easily to all parts of the body.
Depending on the condition or specific reason for using Aromatherapy, a custom blend of essential oils can be mixed to help promote different things. An Aromatherapist can provide information on this process, and also help find the particular blend that will work for a specific condition or a variety of uses.
Before making any decisions, it is advisable to consult with an Aromatherapist, as it is also possible to continue this treatment at home. This, however, may not be a good idea unless you completely understand what it is you are trying to treat and how to best treat it.
Aromatherapy can also be used for pure enjoyment. Here it is very important to keep in mind that a healthy mind can often translate into a healthy body. The two can go hand in hand and one can definitely help promote the other. Though it is an old tradition, it is still widely used today and isn’t expected to go away any time soon.
By: Amy Nutt
About the Author:
Try a natural way to relieve stress and imbalance. Saffron Rouge offers a wide range of pure organic essential oils for aromatherapy. http://www.saffronrouge.com/aromatherapy/
Categories: Aromatherapy Tags: Herbs, Nerve Endings, World Today