Huiles essentielles pour les maux de tête et les migraines, avec recettes
Essential oils for migraines and tension headaches, with a massage blend and a diffuser recipe using lavender, peppermint and marjoram.
In this guide
The best essential oils for headaches and migraines are lavender, peppermint, marjoram, rosemary and clary sage. Their calming and cooling scents are a gentle way to unwind when your head feels tight and tense. Below are easy essential oil recipes for migraines and headaches: a massage blend for your temples and two diffuser blends to help you relax and unwind.
Key takeaways
- Lavender calms, peppermint cools, and marjoram warms and comforts. Together they make a classic headache blend.
- Our headache diffuser blend is 2 drops lavender, 2 drops peppermint and 1 drop rosemary.
- For a temple massage, mix 10 drops of essential oil into 30ml of sweet almond or jojoba oil.
- Head tension can come from stress, diet, tight muscles, the weather or a stuffy room, so look at your triggers too.
- Always dilute before skin use, keep peppermint away from your eyes, and take care with children and pregnancy.
Can essential oils help with headaches and migraines?
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Many are valued in aromatherapy for their calming, grounding scents, which is why they are such a popular companion when you feel tense or run down.
Everyday head tension can have many causes. It may be linked to stress, hormonal changes, diet, muscle tension, changes in the weather, or even a stuffy room. Whatever the trigger, there are simple, gentle habits you can add to your day to help you unwind.
These include noting your personal triggers, making small changes to your diet and lifestyle, cutting back on alcohol and tobacco, and practising slow breathing. Essential oils fit in well alongside these, as part of your self-care routine.
What are the best essential oils for headaches?
These five oils are the most popular for head tension and migraine days. Each one brings something different, so many people mix two or three together.
| Oil | What it feels like | Best used |
|---|---|---|
| Lavender | Relaxing and soothing | Diffuser, massage, bath |
| Peppermint | Cooling and invigorating | Diluted on the temples |
| Marjoram | Warming and comforting | Diffuser, body oil, steam |
| Rosemary | Energising and refreshing | Diffuser, massage |
| Clary sage | Relaxing and calming | Diffuser |
Lavender oil for headaches
Lavender essential oil is prized for its relaxing, soothing scent. It is one of the most popular oils in aromatherapy and may help create a sense of calm, which many people find comforting during moments of tension.
Lavender blends beautifully with other oils. Combine it with peppermint for a balance of soothing and refreshing notes.
Peppermint oil for headaches
Peppermint essential oil is cooling and invigorating. Its fresh, menthol scent is refreshing and uplifting, which makes it a favourite when you feel foggy or congested and want to clear your senses.
Gently massage well-diluted peppermint oil into your temples and forehead for a cooling, refreshing feeling. Keep it well away from your eyes.
Marjoram oil for tension
Marjoram essential oil is warming and comforting. This much-loved kitchen herb can carry you to the Mediterranean mountains with a single sniff, and its soft, herby scent is traditionally used to support relaxation and ease everyday tension.
Add 5 drops of marjoram to a diffuser, a diluted body oil or a facial steam for a comforting, grounding scent.
Rosemary oil for headaches
Rosemary essential oil is energising and refreshing. Its bright, herby scent has long been a favourite for reviving the senses. Breathing it in, or using it well diluted in a massage, can feel wonderfully refreshing and revitalising.
Clary sage oil for stress
Clary sage essential oil is relaxing and calming. Its soft, warm scent is traditionally used to help ease everyday stress and create a settled, peaceful atmosphere.
Browse every single oil in our essential oils collection.
Essential oil recipes for migraines and headaches
Here are our three favourite headache essential oil blend recipes. Use the massage blend on your temples, neck and shoulders, and the diffuser blends when you want the whole room to feel calmer.
1. DIY Headache Massage Blend
Best for: temples, neck, shoulders or a bath
- 30ml Carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba
- 3 drops Lavender oil
- 2 drops Marjoram oil
- 2 drops Rosemary oil
- 2 drops Peppermint oil
- 1 drop Clary sage oil
Mix everything in an amber glass bottle. Use it as a soothing massage oil on your temples, neck and shoulders, or add a little to your bath to help you relax and unwind.
2. Relax and Unwind Diffuser Blend
Best for: a tense head and a busy day
- 2 drops Lavender oil
- 2 drops Peppermint oil
- 1 drop Rosemary oil
Add the oils to your diffuser and settle into a comfy seat. Take slow, deep breaths and let the scent help you feel centred and steady. Pair it with a gentle self-massage over your temples and forehead.
3. Calm and Restful Diffuser Blend
Best for: stress and winding down in the evening
- 3 drops Clary sage oil
- 2 drops Lavender oil
This soft, warm blend creates a calm, restful scent. It is a lovely choice for the end of a long day, when you want to dim the lights and switch off.
Pro tip
For a quick refreshing lift, add up to 5 drops in total of rosemary, lavender and peppermint to your diffuser. The three scents complement each other, so no single oil takes over.
How to use essential oils for headaches
- Temple massage: rub a small amount of diluted blend into your temples, forehead and the back of your neck in slow circles.
- Diffuser: use 4 to 6 drops in total and run it for 30 to 60 minutes, then give the room a break.
- Facial steam: add a few drops of marjoram or lavender to a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel and breathe slowly.
- Bath: mix the oils into a spoonful of carrier oil first, then add to warm bath water.
Open a window too. Fresh air, a glass of water and a short rest in a quiet room all help the oils do their job.
How to use essential oils safely
Safety first
Essential oils are highly concentrated and for external use only. Always dilute them in a carrier oil before they touch your skin, patch test on a small area first, and never swallow them.
- Keep peppermint well away from your eyes and the inside of your nose.
- Do not use peppermint or rosemary on or near babies and young children.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your GP or midwife first. Clary sage is best avoided in pregnancy.
- Speak to a doctor first if you have epilepsy, high blood pressure or any medical condition.
- Cats and dogs are sensitive to diffused oils. Always leave pets a way out of the room.
- If your headaches are severe, sudden or keep coming back, see your doctor.
FAQs
What essential oils are good for headaches?
Lavender, peppermint, marjoram, rosemary and clary sage are the most popular essential oils for headaches. Lavender and clary sage calm, peppermint and rosemary refresh, and marjoram warms and comforts.
What is a good essential oil diffuser blend for a headache?
Try 2 drops of lavender, 2 drops of peppermint and 1 drop of rosemary. For a softer, more restful blend, use 3 drops of clary sage with 2 drops of lavender.
What is the best essential oil recipe for migraines?
Our migraine massage blend is 3 drops lavender, 2 drops marjoram, 2 drops rosemary, 2 drops peppermint and 1 drop clary sage in 30ml of carrier oil. Massage a little into your temples, neck and shoulders.
Does peppermint oil help with headaches?
Many people find peppermint oil helpful for head tension. Its cooling, menthol feel is refreshing on the temples and forehead. Always dilute it well and keep it away from your eyes.
How do I dilute essential oils for a massage?
As a general guide, use around 2 to 5 drops of essential oil per tablespoon of carrier oil, such as sweet almond or jojoba. Patch test before applying more widely.
Can I apply peppermint oil directly to my forehead?
No. Peppermint oil should always be well diluted in a carrier oil before it touches your skin, and kept well away from your eyes and the inside of your nose.
Can I use these blends in a diffuser overnight?
It is best to diffuse on and off rather than all night. Follow your diffuser's instructions and make sure the room is well ventilated.
Are essential oils safe to use during pregnancy?
Some oils are not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, including clary sage. Always ask a qualified healthcare professional before using essential oils at this time.
The bottom line
Lavender, peppermint, marjoram, rosemary and clary sage are a gentle, natural way to ease head tension and help you unwind. Start with the massage blend for your temples, then keep a diffuser blend ready for busy days. For more calming ideas, read our top 7 essential oils for stress relief and our essential oils for sore muscles, or browse our essential oils collection.
This information is not meant to treat or diagnose any medical condition, and it does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare practitioner for treatment. Take care if you are diabetic, epileptic, pregnant, breastfeeding or have a serious health condition.
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