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The truth is, I never had any intentions of sharing essential oils on my blog. If you would have asked me a few months ago about essential oils, I wouldn't even know what to say.
It wasn't until after some gentle guidance and reassurance from readers that I finally decided to try a few to see if they actually worked and if quality did indeed make a difference.
On most Sundays throughout summer, you can find me sitting at a baseball field for hours at a time. Chris, my boyfriend, is a player for a local team called the Spokane Phillies. If you don't know about the Pacific Northwest summer's, they can be brutal. There are some Sundays where I sit on the bleachers in 90+ degree weather for 4+ hours at a time. Don't even get me started if it was an actual tournament, which can last all day.
One of my friends was using a bottle of Peppermint essential oil with her portable fan to help keep her cool, and so, I reluctantly entered this world of essential oils.
I still have a long way from knowing everything there is about essential oils, but I am so glad that I decided to try them out for myself.
There are hundreds, if not thousands of ways, to use essential oils. This natural remedy for headaches and tension is used in a balm and is applied by rubbing a small amount (pea-sized) over the back of the neck.
Balms are a very effective way to apply essential oils to your body because you not only get the benefits of the base ingredients in addition to the essential oils, but they stay on the skin longer than if you used just the essential oil directly on the skin.
The essential oils used in this headache relief balm are a powerful combination, and each one adds its own health benefits.
Peppermint essential oil is great for tension relief. It has a cooling, calming and numbing effect which can make it helpful for people who suffer from migraines. Due to its calming effect, people who suffer from tension headaches will benefit the most. It also helps with blood circulation and can inhibit muscle contractions which helps stimulates the blood flow in the forehead.
Lavender essential oil is mainly used for its calming effect. It's great for headaches that are caused by anxiety or restlessness. It can calm your mood, your tension and the stress you might feel in your muscles. It can also help you sleep better with you are dealing with headaches at night. I use lavender oil for skin related issues as well, such as breakouts and uneven skin tone.
Frankincense essential oil is excellent for migraines. It's an age-old antiseptic, disinfectant, digestive, and anti-inflammatory agent. It's powerful anti-inflammatory properties are due to a collection of compounds known as monoterpenes. They help reduce the swelling of blood vessels that initiate the chain reaction that leads to pain.
This homemade recipe makes more than one container of balm, so depending on the size of containers that you use, you can have extra to give as gifts or have multiples to keep around the house and in your purse.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/4 cups of coconut oil
- 20 drops of peppermint essential oil
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of frankincense essential oil
- Small glass containers with lids
- Labels (optional)
DIRECTIONS
- Melt the coconut oil in a double boiler. Fill the bottom half of your double boiler with water and set it over medium-high heat.
- Add the top half of your double boiler and put your coconut oil in the pan. It takes a few minutes to start melting, but once you hear the water getting close to boiling, turn it down to low. Keep a close eye on it once you notice that it's starting to melt down. It goes much faster than you think!
- While your coconut oil is melting, line up your glass containers, so they are ready to use once the coconut oil is fully melted. I use 9 half-ounce containers in total, but I am not 100% on the size since they were not marked when I bought them.
- Once your coconut oil turns to liquid, mix in all of your essential oils.
- Pour evenly into the glass containers and let them sit at room temperature to set. This usually takes about 30-40 minutes.
HOW TO USE
Apply a pea-sized amount over the back of your neck. You can also apply a small amount to any area that you are feeling tension. Apply the balm to your temples and down your hairline for headaches, or if you want more tension relief, layer with one to two drops of the lavender or peppermint essential oils.
If you are looking for a natural way to relieve your tension and headaches, this headache balm might be the solution. Keep in mind that where you buy your essential oils is extremely important. I never recommend buying essential oils from an unconfirmed source. A great place to start is Young Living. I don't sell Young Living as a business, but I want to ensure you get the best quality possible. You can check out the Young Living difference here.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.