I gotta admit that since becoming a Doterra rep I’ve been having fun geeking out on something totally new. I’m currently reading The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils by Kurt Shnaubelt, Ph.D., to help myself better understand how and why certain essential oils affect the human body.

There’s a lot to learn, but one simple concept is that plants have two main categories of substances: primary metabolites and secondary metabolites. Primary metabolites are all the proteins, carbohydrates, fats and genetic materials that make up the mass of the plant and perform its basic functions, while the secondary metabolites are the substances that have developed and evolved over time to help with its protection and survival. For example, secondary metabolites may help a plant repel herbivores or fight off parasites. From an essential oils perspective, secondary metabolites are the substances that are of most interest, as we can use them in a similar fashion to help with common, everyday ailments and annoyances.

Like headaches.

Is anything worse? Okay, many things are far, far worse, but headaches suck because they are just bad enough to ruin your day and sabotage your productivity, but not so bad that you feel justified in calling in sick or cancelling your plans. We’re expected to just tough it out or pop a couple ibuprofen and get over it. I’m not opposed to OTC headache meds at all (I take them for the occasional head-splitter), but they can mess with your stomach, and some people prefer to avoid swallowing pills if they can.

Perhaps there’s a more natural way to deal with headaches?

DIY Headache Oil 

You’ll need:

• Peppermint Essential Oil
• Lavender Essential Oil (FYI: This starter kit from Doterra is a great deal at $26.67 and includes peppermint, lavender, and lemon, all of which have dozens of uses)
• Fractionated coconut oil (or any carrier oil – I like jojoba too)
• A 5ml roller ball

For an oil or salve, you want to aim for about a 5% dilution, which looks something like this in a 5 ml bottle. (You don’t need all that much.)

This is a pretty equal combination of lavender and peppermint – both are used in aromatherapy to help with headaches. I went a little heavier on the peppermint because I like its cooling effect on the skin.

The best way to transfer the oil is to hold the bottle right up against the container.

 

Fill the rest of the roller with fractionated coconut oil and snap on the roller top. (Note: weightlifting, chalk and kettlebell swings do not a hand model make.)

Label it however your like (or don’t). I had these stickers left over from samples. (Make a few extra rollers and give them as gifts to all your stressed out friends!)

Rub it on your temples, forehead, wrists and neck. Take deep belly breaths.

Not into DIY?

If the thought of making your own headache oil actually gives you a headache, I recommend checking out this Past Tense rollerball, which also includes wintergreen, frankincense, cilantro, marjoram, roman chamomile, basil, and rosemary.

You know that feeling of being trapped in a hot, stuffy room for an hour and then finally stepping outside into bright, chilly sunshine? Like, your sweaty neck gets all frosty and your head and nasal passages clear? And you know you should probably put on a coat, but the cold just feels so darn refreshing? Past Tense is that feeling in a little rollerball.

For more information on essential oils, or to place an order, visit www.mydoterra.com/jenessaconnor