The Best Essential Oils for Headaches + Diffuser, Balm, & Roller Blend Recipes

Headaches can be frustrating and debilitating, but before reaching for medication, consider a natural approach with essential oils. These plant-based remedies offer powerful relief by easing tension, reducing inflammation, and promoting relaxation.

Below you’ll discover the best essential oils for headaches and learn how to use them effectively with diffuser, balm, and roller blend recipes, so you can find fast, natural relief whenever you need it.

There was a time in my life, many years ago, when I used to have headaches every single day!

I took Tylenol with me everywhere I went. It was terrible! I was absolutely miserable.

Now, headaches are rarely a problem for me, thanks mainly to a gluten-free diet and drinking lots of water every day. However, I still get one from time to time.

But now I reach for essential oils rather than Tylenol or Motrin.

They provide instant relief. I wish I had known about the power of essential oils when I had headaches daily.

But oh well, live and learn I guess.

(This post may contain affiliate links. Read my full disclosure statement here.)

I am not a doctor and the statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your doctor before using essential oils on children under 5 or while pregnant or breastfeeding. Please do not ask me for medical advice. Click here to read my full disclaimer.

If you struggle with headaches, you need essential oils in your life. Below you will discover the best essential oils for headaches, diffuser blend recipes, a soothing balm recipe, and a headache relief roller blend recipe.

The Best Essential Oils for Headaches

Essential oils are a natural way to ease headaches, reduce tension, and promote relaxation. Below are some of the most effective essential oils for headache relief.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is one of the best essential oils for headaches. It contains menthol which helps relieve pain and relax muscles.

It can also improve blood circulation, which can help reduce headache intensity.

Lemongrass Essential Oil

Research suggests lemongrass essential oil may provide headache relief. A 2011 study claims a compound in lemongrass oil may impact serotonin and blood-platelet action, which are both factors that contribute to headaches.

You can read the study here.

Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil is well known for its anti-inflammatory properties. This study suggests frankincense also has analgesic and tranquilizing properties, which can help relieve headaches.

Frankincense essential oil can also promote deep breathing and relaxation, which can help relieve stress headaches.

Rosemary Essential Oil

Rosemary essential oil is often used to improve circulation and treat muscle pain. It also has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.

It also supports circulation, which can reduce stress-induced headaches.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil is amazing for stress relief. Studies suggest that it may also effectively treat headaches and migraines.

You can read the study here.

Lavender essential oil also promotes relaxation and better sleep, which can prevent headaches.

How to Use Essential Oils for Headaches

Now that you have discovered the best essential oils for headaches, I am sure you are wondering how to use them.

There are several different ways to use essential oils for headache relief. The most popular and effective use is in a diffuser blend, roller blend, or homemade balm.

You can keep reading to discover recipes for each method and exactly how to use each one of them.

Diffuser Blends for Headaches

Diffuser blends are one of the easiest ways to use essential oils for headache relief. All you have to do is add water and a few drops of essential oil to your diffuser and turn it on.

If you want to learn more about diffusing essential oils, I recommend reading this post—how to use an essential oil diffuser.

Below, you will discover a few of my favorite diffuser blends for headache relief.

Headache Away

• 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil

Headache Relief

• 4 drops of lavender essential oil
• 3 drops of peppermint essential oil
• 2 drops of frankincense essential oil

Bye Bye Headache

• 4 drops of rosemary essential oil
• 2 drops of frankincense essential oil
• 2 drops of lemongrass essential oil

Headache Relief Roller Blend

Essential oil roller blends are also one of the easiest and most convenient ways to use essential oils. They are hands down my favorite method.

If you don’t know what a roller blend is, it’s basically a blend of essential oils diluted with a carrier oil inside a glass roller bottle with a small roller tip.

You can click here to learn more about essential oil roller blends.

All you need for this headache relief roller blend is peppermint essential oil, lemongrass essential oil, frankincense essential oil, coconut oil, and a 10ml glass roller bottle.

If you don’t already have a 10ml roller bottle on hand, I recommend these ones or these ones.

Whatever you decide to use, just make sure it is made of glass. Plastic rollers should never be used with essential oils.

Pure essential oils are very potent and the plastic may begin to deteriorate and leach into the essential oils over time.

You should also ensure that your roller bottle has a metal rollerball. Again, it’s best to avoid plastic.

How to Make Headache Roller Blend

Once you’ve gathered your ingredients and supplies, simply follow the directions below.

• Add 8 drops of peppermint essential oil to the roller bottle
• Add 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil to the roller bottle
• Add 5 drops of frankincense essential oil to the roller bottle
• Fill bottle the rest of the way with coconut oil
• Attach roller ball
• Roll between hands to blend well

How to Use Roller Blend for Headache Relief

Roll this headache relief roller blend on your wrists, spine, and temples when you feel a headache coming on. Sometimes just putting the roller to your nose and inhaling deeply can also do the trick.

Reapply every hour as needed.

DIY Headache Relief Balm

A headache relief balm is similar to a roller blend, except it uses a mixture of carrier oils, butter, beeswax, and essential oils to help relieve headaches.

You will need the following ingredients and supplies to make this DIY headache relief balm.

Ingredients

• Coconut oil
• Cocoa butter
• Beeswax
• Frankincense essential oil
• Peppermint essential oil
• Rosemary essential oil
• Lavender essential oil

Supplies

• 1-ounce glass jar
• Double boiler

How to Make Headache Relief Balm

To make this headache relief balm, add one tablespoon of coconut oil, one tablespoon of cocoa butter, and one teaspoon of beeswax to the double boiler and allow everything to melt completely.

Once everything is melted, remove from heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.

Then, add five drops of frankincense essential oil, five drops of peppermint essential oil, four drops of rosemary essential oil, and four drops of lavender essential oil to the double boiler.

Mix everything together thoroughly and then transfer to a 1-ounce glass jar.

Allow the jar to cool at room temperature until the balm solidifies completely.

And that’s it!

This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to make a larger batch.

Where to Apply Essential Oils For Headaches

Essential oils not diluted in a carrier oil should never be applied directly to the skin.

Be sure to dilute essential oils in a carrier oil or use them in a balm or roller blend before applying them to the skin.

To relieve a headache, diluted essential oils, the roller blend, or the headache relief balm can be applied to the chest area, back of the neck, temples, or wrists.

Always remember that essential oils are potent substances. If you have never applied any of the recommended essential oils to your skin before, I recommend doing a patch test before using a large amount.

Need Essential Oils?

Not all essential oils are created equal. Many essential oils being sold today are synthetic. Your body processes synthetic oils as a toxin, which does not help your body but actually works against it. 

So please do your research before purchasing essential oils.

There are many essential oil companies that sell high-quality essential oils. I used to use Young Living oils exclusively but I just couldn’t afford to use them anymore. I was pleasantly surprised to discover several brands that sell amazing, high-quality essential oils at very affordable prices.

I highly recommend Simply Earth, Plant Therapy, or Far & Wild essential oils. These three brands sell high-quality oils at affordable prices. I’ve been using these brands for years, and they are amazing!

If you want to learn more about these companies and their essential oils, you can check out my reviews on each company below.

• Simply Earth essential oils review
• Plant Therapy essential oils review
• Far & Wild essential oils review

If you purchase from Simply Earth, you can use the code
HAPPYHEARTFREE to receive a big bonus box and a $45 Simply Earth gift card with the purchase of an essential oil recipe box.

You’ll get the recipe box, the big bonus box, plus a $45 Simply Earth gift card for only $29.99 (new customers only)!!!

If you are unfamiliar with Simply Earth or their recipe box, you can check out previous boxes here.

Final Thoughts

Finding natural relief for headaches can be simple and effective with the right essential oils. These easy-to-make solutions combines powerful, soothing oils to help reduce tension, ease discomfort, and promote relaxation whenever you need it.

Whether you’re dealing with stress headaches, migraines, or sinus pressure, incorporating essential oils into your routine can provide quick, natural relief.

If you have any questions about this headache relief essential oil roller or balm, please let me know in the comments below!

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