People used essential oils as a natural way to boost mental, emotional, and physical health for centuries. A comeback is happening today. Many people prefer natural remedies over traditional medications.
Unlike certain medications, the use of essential oils isn’t seen as treatment for a specific condition, such as vertigo. But essential oils have been shown to be very effective in treating symptoms.
Although there’s some medical basis for the use of essential oils, most evidence is unreliable. Many studies are small and don’t produce conclusive results.
Best essential oils for vertigo
However, many people have found essential oils can provide relief from the symptoms of vertigo, like dizziness, nausea, and headaches. Some of the specific oils used include:
Lemon Balm / Melissa Oil
According to a 2014 study, lemon balm oil and lemon balm leaves have been used medicinally as a treatment for multiple conditions and symptoms, including vertigo, for centuries.
Peppermint Oil
A 2013 study on the use of peppermint essential oil for menstrual pain found that the herb reduced several associated symptoms. These included nausea, headache, and vomiting, common symptoms of vertigo.
Thyme Oil
Thyme is an amazing herb with great medicinal properties. In fact, one study found that it was better for menstrual cramping that ibuprofen. Of course, pain and dizziness are two different symptoms, but many people treat thyme oil as a sort of cure-all. You can try diffusing the oil or drinking tea made from thyme for your dizziness.
Ginger oil
The same 2013 study also found that women who used ginger oil to treat symptoms of painful menstruation experienced fewer bouts of nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and headache.
In this study, the ginger and carrier oil mixture was massaged onto the abdomen. For vertigo, consider using the diluted essential oil on the upper chest, neck, and temples.
Lavender
Lavender can be particularly beneficial for vertigo patients if stress is a major trigger for you. This oil is well-known for being a calming scent. This may be another essential oil to have on-hand, perhaps to even prevent an attack. The calming scent may help you manage your anxiety before an episode of vertigo strikes.
How to use essential oils for vertigo symptoms
You can use essential oils in two ways: topically or aromatically. You can massage the diluted oil into your skin, or you can inhale it.
Massage
Essential oils are very concentrated. For example, it takes 220 pounds of lavender flowers to make one pound of lavender essential oil.
Oils are very potent and it can be dangerous to apply them directly to the skin. To avoid skin irritation, you should first combine the essential oil with a carrier oil.
Carrier oils help dilute the concentration of the oil, making it gentler on the skin. The most widely recommended carrier oils include: virgin coconut, avocado, extra virgin olive oils.
After mixing a few drops of essential oil with a larger volume of carrier oil, massage two to three drops of the mixture onto:
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- your forehead
- back of your neck
- your temples
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Use extra caution when applying the oil mixture to your face and neck. The skin in those areas is very sensitive. It is possible to have a skin irritation or an allergic reaction.
Inhaling
Add a few drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot water. Hover your face over the water (being careful not to touch it). Place a towel over your head and the bowl. Inhale for a few minutes.
A few drops of any mentioned essential oil (or a mix of them) in a a diffuser is also very effective.
Risks and warnings
If you apply undiluted essential oil to the skin, you may experience pain, irritation, and inflammation.
