Aromatherapy for Headaches and Hormone Imbalance

In this post is all about aromatherapy for headaches and hormone imbalance. I'll share a recipe and a story showing how the two are often linked and how essential oils can help. 

Like to listen instead? Here's the podcast:-

Aromatherapy for headaches - Shauna's story

Shauna suffered from severe headaches three or four times a week. Sometimes she struggled through work, feeling sick and dizzy and waiting for the day to end, then struggled through the commute home. Other days, she had to take time off, she was literally unable to lift her head off the pillow. As you can imagine, this was having a big effect on her work, her promotion prospects, her social life and her relationships.

The treatment

When Shauna came for her first treatment, I checked that she had seen a doctor and that there was no serious underlying cause of the headaches. I also asked if the headaches were hormone related, and she said no.

She came for Indian Head Massage once a week. If she had a headache when she came, it didn't improve until several hours later. She noticed that the headaches were becoming less severe, but it was a slow, slow process.

Her headaches were hormone related

She arrived for a treatment one day looking dreadful and told me she had "that" headache, the one she always got on the first day of her period. My ears perked up! I asked her if the headache was always worse on the first day of her period and she said it was.

Memo to self - try to ask clearer questions on the client's first visit. So not - "Is it hormone related?" but "Does it get worst during your period?"

I asked her would she mind if I gave her reflexology and Indian Head Massage. She was happy to try anything. So I used hormone balancing essential oils in the treatment (Geranium, Clary Sage and Cypress are all excellent) and did a reflexology hormone balancing routine. 

Rapid Improvement

The results were remarkable. For the first time, Shauna's headache disappeared during the treatment. I made her an aromatherapy inhaler to use during between treatments, and showed her some reflexology points to work on every day.

She continued her weekly visits, and I used a hormone balancing blend each time, combining my reflexology hormone balancing routine with Indian Head Massage.

Her headache improved dramatically, becoming less frequent and less severe. Shauna was so relieved that she rarely needed to take time off work and began to have a normal social life. 

How do you know if a condition is hormone related?

Here's a couple of indications:-

• If the condition gets worse or changes during a period

• If it first starts during a period, during puberty or during menopause

In these cases I'll always use hormone balancing essential oils in any blend I use and ideally combine any treatment with my reflexology hormone balancing routine. 

Aromatherapy for headaches and hormone imbalance recipe

20 ml (2 teaspoons) of a vegetable oil such as sweet almond oil

For adults (over 12 years), who don't have sensitive skin and are not pregnant use 8 drops in total of essential oil

2 drops of Bergamot essential oil

2 drops of Lavender essential oil

2 drops of Cypress essential oil

2 drops of Geranium essential oil

For anyone under 12 years old and over 1 year old, or who has sensitive skin, use 4 drops in total of essential oil in 20 ml (4 teaspoons) of vegetable oil.

1 drop of Bergamot essential oil

1 drop of Lavender essential oil

1 drop of Cypress essential oil

1 drop of Geranium essential oil

The recipe is not suitable for pregnant women. Also, don't use Bergamot on skin that will be exposed to bright sunlight or a sunbed within 48 hours.

How to use the blend

Apply it to the forehead, under the nose and on the back of the neck and if possible the shoulders and upper back.

And of course if you are qualified to use essential oils in your treatments, this would be a good blend to use in a massage or reflexology treatment. 

How to store the blend

Keep the blend in a dark glass or ceramic container, away from light and heat.

I hope you enjoyed this post about aromatherapy for headaches and hormone imbalance, feel free to post a comment below.