Did you know that many over-the-counter and prescription medicines are derived from plants? For example, aspirin, recommended for everything from headaches to certain heart conditions, is made from salicylic acid. This is also the active ingredient in the herbal remedy willow bark—used by Native American people for thousands of years before Columbus made his famous journey.

Fortunately, though dosing yourself with herbs is best done under the guidance of an expert, aromatherapy is easy and safe. To choose the best essential oil for the job, you’ll first need to determine what triggered your headache.

Here are some of the more common types of headaches and the essential oils that work best to relieve them:

Chamomile. Used for centuries to relieve the pain of severe headaches such as migraines, chamomile oil provides a wonderfully calming influence that helps to dispel headache pain. Because of its gentleness, chamomile is considered safe enough for use in children; however, do remember that because chamomile is a member of the daisy family, people allergic to daisies can have an allergic reaction to this oil as well.

Eucalyptus. If your headache seems to be located in your forehead, eucalyptus oil may well provide the relief you seek, especially for headaches associated with head colds and sinus infections. Eucalyptus oil, a favorite ingredient in cough syrups and cold medicines, can help clear infected material from sinuses, thus reducing pressure and headache.

Lavender. Tension headaches, especially those caused by emotional tension, respond well to the scent of lavender. Lavender acts on the limbic brain to encourage relaxation, which in turn releases the tight neck and shoulder muscles that usually accompany a tension headache. By encouraging deep breathing, it increases blood flow to the brain.

Lemon and Lemongrass. Two other tension-headache fighters are lemon and lemongrass. Research has found that lemon oil reduces stress, and a mixture of lavender and lemon or lemongrass can vanquish the most dogged stress and tension headaches.

Peppermint. If your headache stems from staring too long at a computer screen or reading for too long without resting your eyes, peppermint oil may be just the ticket. The brisk, refreshing scent of peppermint “wakes up” important olfactory nerve centers, increases mental clarity, and can banish dull headache pain in an instant.

Rosemary. Headaches triggered by mental strain often result in an irritating inability to think clearly. Fortunately, they usually respond quickly to aromatherapeutic treatment with rosemary oil, for the old saying that “rosemary is for remembrance” aptly describes this herb’s beneficial effect on memory and concentration.

Thyme. Though better known for its antiseptic properties, oil of thyme is believed by many herbalists to strengthen nerves and aid concentration, making it an appropriate aromatherapeutic choice for headaches caused by feeling overburdened and scattered. The next time a too-busy schedule threatens to give you a headache, take a moment to inhale the scent of thyme oil.

So in addition to aspirin, stock your medicine cabinet with these essential oils, and you may be able to nip your next headache in the bud.

—Julie Crawshaw