The Mindful Migraine

One of my greatest joys, and biggest triggers, is aroma (smells).  I can specifically remember occasions where I have been in a movie theatre or an airplane and the smell of someone’s perfume has become increasingly upsetting, until… migraine… usually the more dramatic version complete with nausea and vomiting. 

On the flip side, I have hugely benefited from running an essential oil diffuser in my living room, rubbing peppermint or lavender oil onto my wrists and neck, and spraying room mists with names like ‘balance’ into my work space.  In Australia you can buy roll-ons with different combinations of essential oils, which fit into your handbag and help push back a pending migraine, gaining you enough time to get home safely. 

Even when I am having a relatively pain-less day, my essential oil diffuser still creates a relaxing ambience that decreases tension and increases my tolerance to other migraine triggers. 

Favorite smells are as personal as favorite colors, so the best way to find your ‘go to’ scent is to experiment.  I have discovered that besides lavender and peppermint for when I’m sick, I like the ‘woody’ scents of pine, rosemary, sandalwood and patchouli.  Strong floral scents, on the other hand, tend to give me a headache.  Citrus tones sit somewhere in the middle, with bergamot being a favorite but mandarin makes me feel nauseous.

It’s important to note that when I refer to oils, I mean 100% essential oils, not a bottle labelled ‘smells like roses’ which would most likely be a synthetic material that has no therapeutic value.

As with every adjustment you make to your lifestyle, be sure to check with your doctor about allergies and side-effects before making any changes. 

Here are some websites that I found helpful in selecting the best essential oils for migraines and to understand their potential pitfalls (apologies that they are occasionally ad-heavy):

8 Essential Oils for Headaches and Migraines — How to Use Them (greatist.com)

Essential Oils for Headaches: Lavender and Peppermint (verywellhealth.com)

13 of the Best Essential Oil Recipes for Migraines – Better Mind Body Soul

Sit back, and smell the real-rose-oil, aromatherapically (if that’s a word!)

Take care, Linda x