DIY Headache Relief Wand

08/29/2023
Ann Marie
8 Comments

Many of the headaches we suffer are caused by lifestyle factors. Lack of sleep, hangover, stress, skipped meals, eye strain and migraine, among others can give us the worst of our days. But unless triggered by a serious medical condition, a headache is actually one of the easiest health maladies to treat. For these unexpected events, it is helpful to have a handy pain reliever you can take anywhere. Of course, analgesic tablets are probably the most convenient option. However, even the best and most reliable pain reliever can also have harmful side effects when used excessively. So, you should try this DIY headache relief wand instead!

What is a Headache Relief Wand?

Your safe and convenient options are analgesic topicals from plants and essential oils. Applying it on the skin can soothe nagging pain as it gets absorbed in the tissues and nerve endings.

I am fond of using balms for headache relief and they seem to do the job well. However, they can be quite messy during hot weather. The salve can liquefy and leak if not capped properly which can wreak an oily havoc in your bag.

Recently, I discovered the useful headache relief wand made of organic essential oils. Essential oils with analgesic properties are painkillers you can mix and match according to your preferred aroma and effect. Put them in a trusty roll-on bottle and you can have a go-to pain reliever without getting messy.

There is a wide range of choices for headache relief essential oils, like rosemary, jasmine, peppermint, rose, chamomile or lavender. These aromatic oils are effective both in reducing headaches and refreshing the mind. They tone up the muscles and soothe the nerve and act immediately with every application.

Inhaling these fragrances likewise boosts the therapeutic effect of the oils as they get absorbed by the olfactory system.

Headache Wand Ingredients

When making your own headache wand, I suggest sticking to 2-3 essential oils to avoid them from overpowering each other’s scent. You can choose your main essential oil like lavender and pair it with a mint-scented oil for a cooling effect. Spearmint, peppermint, wintergreen and eucalyptus are great choices.

For this particular headache wand, we will use lavender and peppermint as two powerful analgesic essential oils. Both oil extracts are effective in reducing pain when applied topically. They also have scents that blend well with each other.

You will also need a carrier oil to dilute them since they are very potent and may cause skin irritation when applied directly.

Carrier Oil

Carrier oils are technically called carriers because they are meant to “carry” the essential oils into the skin. These are neutral and non-irritating types of oil that are easily absorbed by the skin.

The different carrier oils have different aromas although not as strong as the essential oils. Some have a nutty and earthy scent, and very few, like grape seed oil, have a neutral scent.

The premium choices for carrier oils are: Sweet almond, Jojoba oil, Rosehip oil, Olive oil, Coconut oil, Grapeseed oil, Avocado oil, and Argan oil.

I prefer using jojoba oil for this recipe because of its mild nutty scent. Jojoba is also easily absorbed in the skin without clogging the pores. It does not leave a layer of oil as it mimics the natural sebum. Since you will apply the headache wand to your head and neck area, it does not risk getting acne on the face.

Jojoba oil is best for all skin types without irritations. The oil is also stable and does not easily go stale. Once opened, jojoba can last for up to a year without going bad.

Jojoba oil by itself is a powerful aromatic with a rejuvenating effect and pairs well with other types of oils.

You will need about 7 ml jojoba oil to fill three-quarters of your roll-on bottle. When choosing carrier oil and essential oils, go for pure and organic ones or those labeled cold-pressed. Cold-pressed oils did not undergo heat treatment during manufacturing which means they retain most of their therapeutic compounds.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a tonic aromatic herb most effective in relieving migraine and headaches. Its scent is calming and comforting which brings a feel-good spirit by relieving anxiety and depression.

Lavender oil contains cineol, a powerful analgesic and relaxant that inhibits stimuli reactions. It also regulates responses and emotions. Thus, it is very helpful for headaches caused by environmental stressors.

However, lavender oil is so potent that it can cause dermatitis and allergic reactions. Do not apply it directly on the skin without diluting it first.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Adding peppermint oil to this headache wand recipe boosts the pain-soothing effect of lavender. Peppermint also lends a menthol scent that blends well with both lavender and jojoba.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is popularly used in alleviating muscle tension and migraines. It contains menthols and gives a cooling sensation. Peppermint oil is great for headaches caused by colds and sinusitis. It soothes the inflamed sinuses for better oxygen intake to regulate blood flow. Good circulation decreases muscle tension which in turn helps cure the bout of headache.

As a topical analgesic, peppermint oil helps reduce pain by numbing the nerves in the area. It desensitizes the nerve endings that send the signal to the brain and decreases the pain sensitivity. The scent of peppermint is also great for relieving nausea that may come with the headache.

You can also put these plants in your pillow to relieve headaches and migraines.

DIY Headache Relief Wand

You will need:

1 ½ tsp Pure jojoba oil
4-5 drops organic lavender oil
3 drops peppermint oil
10 mg empty roll-on bottle
Measuring spoons
Small funnel

Steps:

Fill the roll-on bottle with jojoba oil about ¾ full.
Add the essential oils, secure it with the roller head and gently shake to mix.

How To Use: You can carry this wand in your bag or pocket for easy use. Shake the bottle well before using it. Roll the headache wand on your temple, neck and forehead in a circular motion. Gently massage it until the oil gets absorbed by the skin.

The headache wand is also great for use as a massage oil for relieving muscle and body pains. Just remove the roller to dispense the oil. Or, you can prepare a separate flip-top bottle to keep it for easier dispensing whenever you need a quick fix.

How To Store: Keep the headache wand away from direct sunlight. This lavender and peppermint headache relief can last for up to a year. You can tell if your headache wand has gone bad if it changes color and with a rancid odor. You can then refill your bottle with a fresh mixture for a handy pain reliever.

Warnings and Cautions

Different skin reacts differently to essential oils. Make sure to do a patch test on a small part of your skin to test for allergic reactions.
Do not apply essential oils directly on the skin without diluting them first.
Peppermint is not meant to be used for infants.
Do not use lavender oil for boys before puberty as it may hinder the hormones that control male characteristics.
This headache wand has no reliable information for use in pregnant and lactating mothers. Do not use this wand to be safe.
If you have a recurring headache and other accompanying symptoms like confusion, numbness, fainting, stiff neck, or trouble speaking, contact your healthcare provider.

Takeaway

Essential oils are not only relaxing. They are also beneficial for taming all types of pain in the body. Oils like lavender and peppermint are two of the strong and powerful oils you can trust for all kinds of headaches. This essential oil recipe is meant for people who do not like the oily feeling of topicals in their skin. Jojoba is a delicate oil that does not leave a slimy residue. But you can very much use any carrier oil of your choice as a substitute.

You may also use this to treat insect bites or as an insect repellent to keep pesky bugs at bay. Let us know if you try this homemade wand!