Natural Headache Relief Stick

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Headache relief roller bottle blend recipe
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Natural Headache Relief Stick

Headaches are often a sign of a deeper problem (like magnesium deficiency). Sometimes though headaches have a practical cause, like five-kids-playing-marching-band-in-the-house-syndrome. Whatever the case, a natural headache relief stick can help.

I almost never get headaches anymore since changing my diet and boosting my magnesium levels. Every once in a while there’s unavoidable stress or noise though and I can feel a headache coming on. I keep this headache relief stick on hand for times like these.

This blend is made with a combination of cooling essential oils that help relieve stress, tension, and nerve pain. It’s also great for motion sickness or nausea (sailboat induced in my case- not morning sickness!)

Why Magnesium Oil?

It’s important to dilute essential oils so they don’t cause irritation. Instead of a carrier oil here, we’re using magnesium oil as our carrier.

There’s a large body of evidence on magnesium’s role in the body, including for headaches. Magnesium can help stop a headache before it starts, or bring soothing relief when one is coming on. I make my own magnesium oil with this recipe since it is less expensive, but you can also get pre-made magnesium oil.

Technically magnesium oil isn’t an oil at all, but a highly saturated mineral solution. The minerals help to suspend the essential oils and dilute much like salt does. If you prefer a carrier oil or that’s what you have on hand and need relief fast, then that’s also an option. Fractionated coconut oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed, or olive oil will all work.

What Causes Headaches (For Real)?

Headaches are caused by a whole variety of issues, but there’s always a root cause. Our best bet is to nourish our bodies, practice healthy movement, and address any underlying health problems.

According to Mayo Clinic, headaches are caused by chemical activity in the brain, nerves, blood vessels or muscles in the head and neck that are acting up. Common causes of headaches include:

  • Stress and anxiety
  • PMS
  • Earaches
  • Allergies and congestion
  • Neuralgia (nerve pain)
  • Unhealthy alcohol, especially red wine (check out Dry Farm Wines for their healthy wine options)
  • Foods that contain nitrates or msg
  • Not enough sleep
  • Not enough food/water
  • Dental problems

How This Headache Relief Blend Works

I’ve chosen this blend of essential oils and magnesium because it tackles a broad spectrum of headaches. So whether you’re having nausea, are stressed, or the kids are being rowdy this blend will likely help the resulting headache.

Lavender

We’re talking about Lavandula angustifolia here, not spike lavender. This essential oil helps relieve several causes of headaches, including:

  • Allergies
  • Stress and anxious feelings
  • Tight muscles
  • Migraines
  • Vertigo

Frankincense

Frankincense is the next oil in our blend. There are several different varieties but boswellia carterii is one of the most popular chemotypes and is good for relieving stress. Boswellia serrata was shown to reduce the intensity and frequency of cluster headaches in a 2012 study. Both types of frankincense help relieve tension, stress, and inflammation induced headaches.

Chamomile

Chamomile essential oil is also popular for managing stress and tension. We can use either Roman or German chamomile in this blend, but both work a little differently. Most prefer the smell of Roman chamomile and it’s also better for reducing stress. German chamomile is better at calming inflammation.

Both types of chamomile help with:

  • Allergies
  • Earache
  • Insomnia
  • Stress
  • Neuralgia (nerve pain)

Mint (and Safety)

Peppermint has cooling menthol which helps relieve tense, achy muscles and headaches. It’s also invigorating and gives a little perk-me-up (that’s not coffee) when feet are dragging. However, peppermint has a few more safety considerations than the other oils in this blend.

Peppermint essential oil shouldn’t be applied near the faces of very young children since it can cause breathing problems. Moms who are breastfeeding or baby wearing wouldn’t want to apply this while holding baby close. Thankfully, there’s a workaround here.

Spearmint has way less menthol and is also good for stress and headaches. While both peppermint and spearmint work similarly, spearmint is less intense and doesn’t have the same safety precautions around children. While I don’t recommend putting this on a baby, using spearmint means it’s safe for your baby to be next to you and smell the blend.

Spearmint is also safe for children over age two to use topically. Generally, any essential oils used on children should be diluted more than for adults. The recipe below is meant for adults but with some modifications could be used on older children.

Is This Safe During Pregnancy?

According to certified aromatherapists, this blend is safe to use during pregnancy. Because it’s diluted an appropriate amount and is used in a small area it’s safe for expecting mamas.

Where to Get Supplies

Most of these ingredients are in my first aid kit, but a premixed roller bottle makes them easier to apply and keep in my purse.
You could make this as a spray or lotion, but I prefer something that doesn’t get on my hands. Let me tell you, accidentally getting essential oils in your eye is no fun!

Headache relief roller bottle blend recipe
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4.60 from 5 votes

Natural Headache Relief Stick

This natural headache relief stick has magnesium and essential oils to help knock out headache quickly and naturally.
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Yield: 1 roller bottle
Author: Katie Wells

Instructions

  • Remove the roller bottle stop (this includes the entire plastic part with the ball in it). I slide a butter knife between the plastic rim and the glass to pop it off.
  • Pour the essential oils into the roller bottle.
  • Add just enough magnesium oil to reach the top.
  • Put the roller stop back in and tightly cap.

Notes

How to Use: For headaches, apply to the back of the neck, shoulders, the base of the skull (where your neck meets your head) and/or temples. Be sure to avoid the eye area! Personally,  I use it on the back of my neck and shoulders.
For nausea and motion sickness apply to the wrists.

If you have chronic headaches or even migraines, I highly recommend trying herbal remedies like feverfew.

Shelf Life and Storage

Because magnesium is a mineral, magnesium oil can last for years. Essential oils have a varying shelf life, but according to the aromatherapists at Plant Therapy the oils in this blend will last about 2-3 years. The blend should be stored away from direct light, heat, or freezing temperatures for optimal shelf life.

Here’s more on how to store and organize your natural remedies.

What have you found helpful to relieve headaches? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

72 responses to “Natural Headache Relief Stick”

  1. Tiffany Avatar

    Is this recipe safe for a 10yr old? If not, what amount of essential oils should I use

  2. Lisa Avatar

    Is the recipe for a 1 oz bottle or a 10 mo (1/3 oz) bottle? It seems like a lot of EO for just a 10 ml bottle.

    1. Jamie Larrison Avatar

      It’s for a 10 ml roller bottle. This blend is formulated to use as a spot treatment for acute use. Something like a lotion that goes on daily over large areas of the body would need to use significantly less essential oil. However, it’s safe to use larger amounts of certain oils in certain situations.

  3. Liz Avatar

    5 stars
    Just made this today and can’t believe how well/quickly it works to get rid of headaches. I’ll be honest, I thought the smell of the oils would make my headache worse but that has not been the case. I get lots of headaches & migraines. Wish I had known about this years ago.

  4. Susan Friendson Avatar
    Susan Friendson

    5 stars
    I always keep a little roller bottle of this in my purse to relieve headaches, but I can’t count how many times I’ve given them to people. At a conference, a party, or in a class, when someone needs help with a headache I invariably offer my bottle to someone who then marvels at how well it works. “Keep it,” I always say. Then when I get home I make another new bottle for me. Countless times this has happened. Really! Thanks for sharing the recipe Katie.

  5. Susan Friendson Avatar
    Susan Friendson

    5 stars
    I have been using this recipe for years and have shared bottles with people who’ve been amazed at the relief it brings. A winner for sure!

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