Migraine
Essential Oils, Self Help, Herbs, Gemstones and Reflexology for Migraines
Circulatory System
A migraine is a specific type of headache related to changes in blood flow in the brain. Migraines are caused by the expansion and contraction of the brain’s blood vessels. First the blood vessels constrict, causing the typical migraine warning signs – (flashes of light that appear across the field of vision, problems with speech, numbness or dizziness), then, when the blood vessels expand, there is pain. The pain usually begins on one side, though it can spread to both sides. Migraine pains are typically intense, and, at their worst, debilitating with weakness, nausea and vomiting. During a migraine headache episode, the senses are heightened, and the slightest noise, light or movement is unbearable.
Essential Oils:
Top Note: basil, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lemon, yarrow
Middle Note: aniseed, chamomile, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, rosewood
Base Note: immortelle, linden blossom, rose
Tips:
- To soothe headaches or migraines, add 2 drops sweet marjoram to 5 ml / 1 tsp carrier oil, and, using your fingertips, massage the blend into your forehead.
- To ease headaches and migraine, add 2 drops Melissa to 5 ml / 1 tsp carrier oil and apply it to your forehead, temples and neck.
- To soothe stress-related headaches or migraines, add 2 drops Linden Blossom Absolute to 5 ml / 1 tsp carrier oil and massage the blend into your forehead or neck.
Children’s Migraine Essential Oils:
Grapefruit, lavender, Roman chamomile, neroli, peppermint, rosemary
*Children’s Migraine Formula:
- 5 drops Roman chamomile
- 10 drops grapefruit
- 5 drops peppermint
- 3 drops rosemary
For children under 7 – dilute the formula in 120 ml vegetable oil
For children over 7 – dilute the formula in 60 ml vegetable oil
*Source: Worwood Valerie Ann, The Fragrant Pharmacy. Bantam Books, 1991
Self Help:
- Eliminate coffee and decaffeinated coffee from your diet, as well as all other sources of caffeine. Make sure you are not taking any over the counter or prescription drugs that contain caffeine. Once you are off caffeine, you can use coffee as a treatment for migraine. Drink one or two cups of strong coffee at the first sign of an attack, then lie down in a dark, quiet room
- Eliminate other common dietary triggers of migraine: chocolate, wine (red wine in particular), all strong-flavoured cheeses, processed meats, fermented foods (including soy sauce and miso), sardines, anchovies, and pickled herring
- Avoid the artificial sweetener aspartame (NutraSweet and Equal)
- Try magnesium 500 milligrams a day (with twice as much calcium to counteract magnesium’s laxative effect). Magnesium deficiency may play a role in migraine.
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Take coenzyme Q (Co-Q-10), 100-150 milligrams a day in softgel capsule form, with meals.
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Riboflavin (vitamin B-2) – high doses of riboflavin (400 milligrams a day) can reduce frequency of migraine.
Herbs:
Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) – inhibits the production of inflammatory substances. It dilates the cerebral blood vessels, easing migraines associated with constricted blood vessels. Take 5 – 10 drops of tincture in liquid every 30 minutes at the onset of a migraine, as a preventative, take two cups of tea daily for a couple of months, or 1 – 3 capsules daily
Ginger tea – works for a migraine headache at the front of the head
Chamomile tea – helps prevent migraines
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Apply a hot herbal compress to the back of the neck, using chamomile, St John’s wort or lemon balm infusions.
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Rub some lavender oil on the temples and forehead – lavender has antispasmodic and cooling properties
Gemstone for Healing:
- Dark, dark purple Amethyst
Hold and carry all the time
Reflexology areas to emphasize:
- Manipulate the points on the top of the foot, on the side of the foot, and at the base of the ball of the big toe
- Work all toes thoroughly
- Work the pituitary glands and the spine – an injury to the tailbone, sometimes traced back to childhood, can cause a migraine.
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