“High Quality Organic Headache Relief Blend Essential Oil Therapeutic Grade for Migraine And Tension Headache Relief “

How Are Essential Oils Made?

Essential oils are extracted from plants. They’re made in one of two ways, distillation or expression. In distillation, hot steam is used to release the compounds from the plants and then passes through a cooling system where the steam is converted back into water. Once the mixture cools, the oil floats to the top.

Citrus oils are often made through expression, a method where no heat is used. Instead, the oil is forced out using high mechanical pressure.

What Can Essential Oils Do for Migraine or Headache?

The relationship between scents and the brain is complicated, says Lin. “For some people with migraine, strong odors can actually trigger an attack, and so essential oils or scents should be used very carefully,” she says.

If you’re in the middle of a migraine attack or a headache, any scent, even one you typically find calming, can be bothersome if it’s too strong, says Lin. “It could be too stimulating. You might need to dilute the oil more than you normally would for day-to-day use if you’re using it for migraine,” she says.

“Classically, when we’re thinking about migraine, migraine attacks tend to be triggered by things like stress, not getting enough sleep, or when there’s some strong environmental stimulants like bright light or sounds,” says Lin.

Part of migraine prevention is trying to minimize those things, she says. “Since stress and anxiety and tension are big triggers for headaches in general, things that reduce stress and anxiety can also potentially reduce headaches,” she says.

Essential oils shouldn’t replace doctor-prescribed migraine therapy, but there are some small studies to show that some types of essential oils may reduce the frequency or severity of migraine, says Lin.