Headache relief

Headache relief
© 2009 Lyn E. Ayre, Ph.D.

Headaches can be caused by a variety of things…
∞ level of hydration
∞ poor bed pillow
∞ bump on the head
∞ spicy food
∞ too much energy accumulating at the Crown or around the Third Eye Chakra
∞ hunger
∞ over-eating
∞ stuffy room
∞ being in a crowd of party-goes
∞ music and/or sound too loud
∞ physiological reasons ie: brain tumour, aneurysm, stroke, blood clot etc…
∞ dilated blood vessels
∞ PMS

the list could go on…

∞ Perhaps a tall glass of cool water would be enough.
∞ A walk in the park or by a fountain, which gives off negative ions, can be refreshing.
∞ Practising avoidance is, in some instances, all that is needed.

Therapies such as Acupuncture, Acupressure, and Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping on the meridians) are very good at relieving the symptoms of a headache and the underlying emotional factors.

There is much we can do to prevent a headache and there is a lot we can do once we have one. Headaches seem to be the bane of our existence in the stressed-out Western world. Here are a few ideas from the world of Plant Medicine:

Four Roll-On ideas
To a 10 ml roll-on dispenser filled with 10 ml of oil (jojoba, olive, sunflower, almond etc…) add the following essential oil blend: 4 peppermint, 3 ginger, 2 lavender; OR 4 peppermint 3 lavender, 2 basil; OR 4 spearmint, 3 peppermint, 2 eucalyptus; OR 4 eucalyptus, 3 ginger, 2 basil. Apply this to the hairline at the back of your neck. If you do decide to put it on your face (something I do not advocate) keep the blend away from lines and wrinkles lest the formula find its way into your eyes.


Sniffi-Tube
Fill a lip balm tube with cotton baton and add the above roll-on blends to it. With your finger, close one nostril and sniff; then change to sniff from the other nostril.


Diffuser idea
Into 6 oz of hot water mix 3 spearmint, 3 eucalyptus, and two peppermint essential oils and add to the top part of a diffuser. Light the Soya Candle, which burn cooler and longer and don’t produce soot in the air, and allow the remedy to fill the air. Breathe deeply and slowly.

Meditation idea
Sit comfortably and do some deep breathing. Breathe in through your nose for a slow count of four, hold for three, and release the breath through your mouth for a slow count of nine. If you have any issues doing this breath, shorten the counts of it making sure you are breathing out for twice as long as you’re breathing in. This allows the stale air to be released from your lungs.

Herbal idea
The whole herbs of peppermint and ginger are very helpful with issues of digestion. Make an infusion of one, the other, or both together and enjoy a lovely warm drink after a meal. These two are wonderful for clearing a headache, as well. You can add a small floret of Lavender, if you like, to add a unique taste.

A basin/bathroom sink filled with warm water and a few sprigs of rosemary, lavender, sage, basil, peppermint and/or other aromatic herbs can clear sinuses and offer a refreshing mid-afternoon pick-me-up. Lean over and tent you and the basin with a towel. Remember to close your eyes as these oils are all aromatic and you would not want them to get in your eyes. You can use fresh or dried herb as well as essential oils for this. Use an equal number of essential oils with six drops being the top number.

Pot pouri, herbal carry-bag
Go out and collect aromatic twigs, needles, cones, and branches from your neighbourhood; dry them well; cut or crumble into smaller pieces and place some of it in a decorative bowl. Add any of the above blends to the mix and sniff when you feel a headache coming on. This can also be made into very small particles and placed into a muslin bag to take with you in your purse or briefcase.

I hope you've found these ideas helpful. Have a Safe & Joyous Holiday Season.

Love & Light, Lyn