Essential Oil Blends For Migraine

Migraines can be debilitating, they are not ‘just a headache’ as anyone who has ever had one will know.  With around 1 in 5 women and 1 in 15 men migraines are common and as such are not regarded as a major health concern.  Whilst the reason some people have migraines whilst others don’t hasn’t been found, however it has been linked to genetic factors which suggest that if you have family members who have or had suffered with migraines you are more likely to also have them.The onset of migraines is typically in early adulthood, however many women who have no history of migraines find these come on as a symptom of perimenopause and menopause.  This is linked to changes in hormones and hormonal levels.  Women may find they are more susceptible to migraines such times as in pregnancy or around their menstrual cycle for this reason.

Migraines typically present as a severe throbbing headache affecting one side of the head, this can extend to the side of the face as the pain radiates outwards. As well as a throbbing headache people may suffer other symptoms such as an increased sensitivity to sound our brightlight  or feeling or being sick. 

Some people have trigger warnings that alert them to the onset of a migraine before the migraine actually starts. 

These can include: 

Changes in vision, including temporary loss of vision either full or the loss of peripheral vision, seeing flashes of colour or light or dark spots.

Some people experience sensitivity to sound and loud noises before they experience the throbbing headache. 

Some people will experience numbness or tingling in their face or hands.

Sense of smell can also be affected.

Brain fog 

Physical activity, stress, lack of sleep, certain foods and hormones can all aggravate and act as triggers for migraines.  Migraines can last for between 4 and 72 hours.  For some people migraines will be an occasional event but for others they may happen several times a week.

It can be helpful to identify any possible triggers and also any early warning signs of a pending migraine in order to prevent or at least minimise the impact of the migraine.  Keeping a diary tracking when you have migraines can help identify if you are experiencing hormonal migraines for example.  It can help you identify if there are certain foods that trigger a migraine, I had a client that had migraines every time she ate chocolate! It can also help to bring awareness to some of the warning signs such as sensitivity to light or sound so you can take action as soon as you notice this rather than waiting until the migraine has fully kicked in. These essential oil blends can help relieve the discomfort caused by migraines.