How to Use Lavender to Treat Headaches
You might not want to take medication for a headache, yet you want the pain to go away. Lavender, in both the essential oil and tea form, can provide an effective, natural means to treat your pain.
Things You'll Need
- Lavender essential oil
- Carrier oil such as almond or orange
- Cotton balls
- Bowl of boiling water
- Towel
- Washcloth
- Teapot for brewing tea
- Tea infuser
- Dried lavender flowers
- Lemon verbena leaves
Instructions
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Treat Headaches With a Lavender Rub
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Combine lavender essential oil with a carrier oil, such as almond or orange. A carrier oil helps deliver the essential oil to your skin without irritating it.
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Dip a cotton ball into the lavender oil mixture. Dab onto your temples, taking care not to drip on yourself.
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3
Close your eyes and take in the lavender aroma. After a few minutes you may feel your headache start to subside.
Ease Your Headaches With a Lavender Vapor Bath
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Pour 3 cups of boiling water into a large bowl or basin. Use 2 to 4 drops of lavender essential oil in the bowl.
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Drape your head and neck with a large towel to form a tent over the bowl.
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Inhale the lavender scented steam as it penetrates your pores and sinuses. The calming scent may help relieve the tension that is causing your headache.
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Dip a washcloth into the basin of lavender water and wring out until just damp. Place the cloth on your forehead. The heat of the compress along with the lavender scent can help ease the pain of a headache.
Drink Lavender Verbena Tea to Treat Headaches
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Mix 1 cup of lemon verbena leaves with 3 tbsp. of lavender flowers. This is a large quantity of the tea that you can store for later use. For a cup of tea for yourself, you will only need to use 1 tsp. of the herbs.
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Put the herbal mixture into a tea infuser and place in a mug of boiling water. Use a teapot if you are brewing a large amount of lavender tea.
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Allow the tea to steep for 5 minutes before straining out the leaves.
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Pour the tea into a mug and sweeten with honey if you desire. The relaxing properties of the lavender will help calm your muscles and dull the pain of your headache.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have frequent, recurring headaches, make an appointment with your family doctor. You may have a problem that lavender alone cannot treat.
Do not use lavender to treat medical issues if you are currently taking sedatives or any medication that makes you sleepy. Lavender will heighten your fatigue.
