Some research indicates peppermint oil helps reduce tension-type headaches, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Almost half of peppermint oil is composed of menthol, which may also reduce the intensity of acute migraines.
Lavenderoil may help alleviate migraines. Consult your healthcare provider before starting the use of essential oils. Although they are relatively safe in short-term use with the correct amounts, they may have some adverse side effects.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oils so it’s important to consult your healthcare provider before starting use. Essential oils are concentrated and should always be diluted in carrier oil (e.g., coconut, jojoba, etc.) before use. They should not be directly applied or ingested.
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Peppermint
Peppermint is a flowering member of the mint family, which grows throughout Europe and North America. It’s been used for thousands of years for various health conditions.
Peppermint is often used as flavoring in foods and beverages. Peppermint oil is extracted from the mint plant’s leaves and flowers and has been used to treat gastrointestinal ailments, most notablyirritable bowel syndrome (IBS)and indigestion.
Peppermint oil has also been used to treat headaches, especiallytension-type headaches.
Scientific Evidence
Two older studies found that applying peppermint oil to the skin is effective in easing the pain of a tension-type headache. One of those studies even compared the effectiveness of a 10% peppermint oil preparation with Tylenol (acetaminophen).
In that study, 41 participants with tension-type headaches were randomized to either receive two capsules equaling 1,000 milligrams (mg) of Tylenol or two placebo capsules. In addition, the participants randomly received either a skin application of peppermint oil or a placebo solution.
The oil or placebo solution was spread across the forehead and temples and repeated after 15 minutes and then 30 minutes. The participants recorded their pain intensity every 15 minutes for one hour.
Compared to placebo, peppermint oil significantly reduced headache intensity after 15 minutes, and this reduction in pain continued over the one-hour observation period.There was no difference found in the benefit between the peppermint oil and Tylenol.
A 2016 study of 105 adults with episodic or chronic tension headaches compared topical peppermint oil with and without paracetamol. The oil was applied to the forehead at headache onset and re-applied at 15 and 30 minutes. Results were recorded four hours post-treatment. There was a 56.2% improvement in the peppermint group vs. 54.3% improvement in the paracetamol group. Those who had a combined treatment showed a 66.7% improvement.
Safety
While there were no adverse effects from peppermint oil reported in the above study, which used a topical application, it’s important to note that volatile oils such as peppermint oil can be toxic if ingested and, at high doses, even fatal.
These oils are absorbed through the skin and should not be applied liberally or for prolonged periods. It’s important to know how much to use, the correct concentration, and the duration of treatment.
The ingestion of peppermint oil has been linked to several side effects, including:
Topical application may cause skin rashes and irritation.
Peppermint oil is contraindicated in people with a history ofgallstones or gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), and its use should be avoided during pregnancy.
Peppermint oil should also not be ingested or used near babies and infants, as it can lead to breathing problems.
Lavender
It has been used throughout history for its calming properties, as well as for treating epilepsy, insect bites, parasitic infections, burns, and tremors.
Lavender essential oil has many complementary uses today, including:
This practice of using lavender to treat migraine attacks dates back to medieval Europe and has recently re-emerged. There is some scientific evidence (albeit limited) to establish its effectiveness.
A 2012 study of 47 participants withmigrainewere divided into two groups. One group inhaled lavender essential oil for 15 minutes in the early stages of their attack (two to three drops of the oil rubbed onto their upper lip). The other group (the control group) used liquid paraffin for 15 minutes.
The participants were asked to record the severity of their migraine headaches in 30-minute intervals for a total of two hours.
Using a pain scale called theVisual Analog Scale, the participants who inhaled the lavender essential oil had a significantly greater reduction in migraine headache severity compared to the control group.
A more recent study (2016) using lavender essential oil for three months found it reduced the frequency and severity of migraine incidents with no side effects. Although this was a small study of 30 participants, the results were significant, with headache severity reduced to 52% in the third month.
These studies indicate that the short-term use of inhaled lavender in specific amounts appears to be well-tolerated and safe. However, lavender oil is toxic if taken orally, and there are also some potential side effects.
Some of these may include:
Consult your healthcare provider before using essential oils during pregnancy. It’s also not known whether it’s safe to use lavender while breastfeeding.
Summary
While using an essential oil, like lavender or peppermint, to help soothe a migraine or tension headache, is a reasonable complementary therapy, it’s important to only use it under the guidance of your healthcare provider.
Even though essential oils do not require a prescription, they can be toxic and cause harm if used improperly or in individuals with certain medical conditions. They may also interfere with the medications you are taking.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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