When headaches come knockin’, what do you do? Kids and adults alike have all experienced the pain, tension and even sensitivity that comes with headaches. And it is no fun at all. It doesn’t help that not all the headaches are the same and they may be triggered by different things. Our new KidSafe blend Knockin’ Noggin, and essential oils in general, are a wonderful and natural way to help alleviate headaches for you and your little ones.
Types of Headaches
Not all headaches are created equal. One of the most common forms of headaches is tension headaches. This usually results in a mild or moderate pain that feels like a tight band wrapped around your head. Migraines, on the other hand, can even include nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. Cluster headaches often result in localized pain around the eye, watery eyes and a runny nose. While headaches can sometimes be chronic, they can be the result of exercise, coughing, sinus infections, stress, dehydration, and the flu.
Paying attention to the potential causes of the headache will help you know if there are other measures you can take to relieve the headache, like drinking more water, or what essential oils will be the most useful. It will also help you know if it’s serious enough to warrant a visit to the doctor. But for those times that the occasional headache hits and you or your family are looking for a little relief, essential oils can help.
Essential Oils for Headaches
Determining the type of headache or what’s causing it is the first step in knowing how to use essential oils to find relief. If it’s a sinus pressure headache, essential oils like Eucalyptus can help break up congestion and ease breathing. If it’s a result of stress, calming oils like Lavender or Chamomile can help soothe the feelings of stress, restlessness, and irritation. Plus their sedative properties are great for promoting relaxation and reducing tension. And both these oils are great choices for children!
Peppermint is another one of the heavy-hitters when it comes to headaches. Cooling to the skin, it can help relieve the acute pain associated with headaches. Diluting Peppermint in your favorite carrier oil and applying it topically on the temples and back of the neck has shown to relieve pain and be a well-tolerated alternative to taking the edge off a headache . For those times that nausea accompanies your headaches, it can also help soothe a queasy stomach. Spearmint is a great alternative for any children under the age of 10!
Meet Knockin’ Noggin
When those headaches hit, you don’t have to waste any time rummaging through your essential oil collection. Our brand new blend Knockin’ Noggin was specifically formulated to help relieve the knockin’ in your little one’s noggin.
Eucalyptus Dives and Lavandin help promote circulation and a clear head. Plus both these oils are great for supporting a healthy respiratory system and clear breathing. And because stress and anxiety can contribute to the headache, Roman Chamomile and Neroli add their calming properties to this crisp and sweet blend. Knockin’ Noggin is complete with Sweet Orange, Frankincense Carterii, Tangerine, and Clary Sage, all of which are uplifting, balancing, and help reduce nervous tension. It has a crisp and sweet scent with light herbaceous undertones that will get your child’s noggin back on track in no time when the occasional tension headache hits.
Both topical application and inhalation are fantastic ways to get the benefits of this blend. Dilute it to 2-4% in your favorite carrier oil and apply it to your neck and temples. Or go straight for our pre-diluted roll-on! You can also add 2-3 drops to your diffuser or 5-7 drops to an aromatherapy inhaler for on-the-go use.
Knockin’ Noggin vs Tension Tamer
Tension Tamer is another KidSafe blend we offer that is designed to help with tension and headaches. It features Lavender, Palmarosa, Geranium Bourbon, Lemon and Chamomile Roman. With a slightly fruity and herbaceous aroma, the essential oils in Tension Tamer were specifically chosen to help with relaxation and relieve tension, whether it’s in the head or elsewhere in the body. Knockin’ Noggin, on the other hand, was designed to help when the tension and “knockin'” is in the head.
1> Gobel, H., Fresenius, J., Heinze, A., Dworschak, M., Soyka, D. (August 1996). Effectiveness of Oleum menthae piperitae and paracetamol in therapy of headache of the tension type. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8805113
Gobel, H., Schmidt, G., Dworschak, M., Stolze, H. (October 1995). Essential plant oils and headache mechanisms. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23196150
