Probably the most effective natural treatment for headaches is combing lavender oil with peppermint oil. Recent research finds that lavender essential oil can help relieve migraine attacks as an alternative migraine treatment. A 2012 study performed by Iranian and German scientists and published in the medical journal European Neurology concluded that “inhalation of lavender essential oil may be an effective and safe treatment modality in acute management of migraine headaches.”

They evaluated 47 patients with a definite diagnosis of migraine headaches, giving half a dose of 15 minutes lavender essential oil inhalation, and the other half liquid parrafin to inhale. Patients recorded changes in attack severity over 2 hours for a total of 129 migraine attacks.

In the lavender group, 71% of patients’ attacks were resolved or partially resolved by inhalation of lavender.
In the placebo group, 47% of patients’ attacks responded to liquid paraffin.

In other scientific studies, essential lavender oil has showed an ability kill or reduce pain, calm nerves, reduce mood and anxiety disorders, and help relieve spasms and reduce hypertension.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint is one of the most effective oils for headaches as well. Studies have found that the cooling effect of peppermint oil can help stimulate blood flow and reduce muscle contractions.

Dr. Axe notes the following research into this oil:

“Applying peppermint essential oil topically across the forehead and on the temples effectively alleviates a tension headache. In a 1996 study, 41 patients (and 164 headache attacks) were analyzed in a placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study. The peppermint oil was applied topically 15 and 30 minutes after a headache began. Participants reported pain relief in their headache diaries, and peppermint oil proved to be a well-tolerated and cost-effective alternative to usual headache therapies.”
In the study, researchers found that peppermint oil and acetaminopen (or tylenol) had similar pain-reducing effects for tension headaches.

Method

Combine 2 drops of lavender essential oil with 2 drops of peppermint oil and rub these oils on the back of the neck, the temples on the lateral side of the forehead along with inhaling it.