Lavender For Headaches
Migraine Triggers
People who suffer from migraine headaches will likely be comforted by the soothing smell of lavender. Migraine headaches appear to be triggered by anxiety, fluctuations in estrogen in women, hormonal medication to control estrogen, hormone replacement therapy, lack of sleep, exposure to light, and stress.
Lavender and Migraines
A breakthrough came in 2012 with this lavender study[1] that showed great promise is using a natural substance to treat migraine headaches. The use of lavender is treating migraines performed as good and better than toxic pharmaceutical medicines.
The 28 participants in the study were instructed to add 2 to 3 drops of oil to the their upper lips at the onset of a migraine. Participants in the control group were given unscented liquid wax placebo and the clinical group was given lavender drops.
The lavender group was instructed to inhale the the vapor for 15 minutes, and neither group was allowed to use any painkillers. Both groups were asked to rate their headaches every 30 minutes for 2 hours.
The lavender group experienced significantly better results than the control group with 74% of the lavender group experiencing significantly reduced migraine symptoms, which included nausea, vomiting, adverse reaction to sound, light, and odor.
Lavender Compared to Prescription Drugs
- 74% of the participants found migraine relief using lavender.
- 70% of people who received sumatriptan injections in hospitals found relief.[2]
- 59% of prescribed sumatriptan headache medication users found relief.[3]
- 57% of Ibuprofen user found relief.[4]
- 52% of high dose Tylenol users found relief.[5]
How Does Lavender Treat Migraine Headaches?
Lavender contains a compound called linalool which is analgesic (reduces pain) and anti-inflammatory[6], and is believed to reduce inflammation in blood vessels that leads to migraines.
How is Lavender Taken or Used to Relieve Migraines
Inhalation
You can apply 2-3 drops of lavender on the top lip an inhale for 15 minutes.
Temple Rub
People apply drops of lavender to their temples, which soothes nerves and reduces inflammation to blood vessels.
Lavender Tea
You can also drink lavender occasionally to build up levels of the lavender’s phytonutrients in bloodstream to help prevent migraines from developing.
[1] P. Sasannejad, M. Saeedi, A. Shoeibi, A. Gorji, M. Abbasi, M. Foroughipour. Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: A placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur. Neurol. 2012 67(5):288 – 291
[2] D. Magis, J. Schoenen. Treatment of migraine: Update on new therapies. Curr. Opin. Neurol. 2011 24(3):203 – 210
[3] M. D. Ferrari, P. J. Goadsby, K. I. Roon, R. B. Lipton. Triptans (serotonin, 5-HT1B/1D agonists) in migraine: Detailed results and methods of a meta-analysis of 53 trials. Cephalalgia 2002 22(8):633 – 658
[4]R. Rabbie, S. Derry, R. A. Moore, H. J. McQuay. Ibuprofen with or without an antiemetic for acute migraine headaches in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic 2010 10:1-68
[5] M. J. Prior, J. R. Codispoti, M. Fu. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of acetaminophen for treatment of migraine headache. Headache 2010 50(5):819 – 833
[6] Effects of Coriandrum sativum Syrup on Migraine: A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
