Using Natural Oils to Soothe Vertigo Symptoms
Vertigo is the sudden sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, tipping or moving, even when everything is completely still. Its often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sweating and imbalance. While medications can sometimes help dampen signals from the inner ear causing vertigo, natural oils may offer gentler relief without side effects.
Causes of Vertigo
Vertigo occurs when there is a mismatch between visual signals and sensory information from your inner ears balance organs. Causes include:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) - inner ear calcium crystal buildup
- Vestibular neuritis - inner ear nerve inflammation
- Labyrinthitis - inner ear infection
- Menieres disease - inner ear fluid buildup
- Vestibular migraine - nerves overreact to triggers
Conventional Medical Treatments
Doctors may prescribe medications like:
- Anticholinergics for motion sickness
- Steroids or antivirals for infections
- Diuretics to reduce inner ear fluids
- Antihistamines for allergy-related vertigo
While these can temporarily minimize symptoms, side effects like fatigue, constipation or dry mouth often occur. Natural oils offer a gentler option.
Soothing Vertigo with Essential Oils
Inhaling essential oils sends calming chemical messages through the olfactory nerves straight to vertigo-triggering parts of the brainstem. When applied on acupressure points, they also influence inner ear balance centers. Oils that help ease vertigo include:
Peppermint Oil
The menthol in peppermint oil has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects on muscles and nerves involved in causing vertiginous nausea. It also improves circulation. Try rubbing diluted peppermint oil on the neck, temples and behind the ears during acute vertigo. The refreshing aroma can calm sensations of motion and relax the stomach when inhaled.
Ginger Oil
Ginger oil reduces dizziness through its positive effects on the vestibular system and blood vessels. Ginger improves inner ear circulation while also decreasing nausea responses. Using a few drops in a warm compressor placed behind the ears or massaging into the neck can lessen vertigo episodes.
Lavender Oil
Lavender essential oil helps alleviate anxiety and depressive thoughts often accompanying vertigo through its calming, mood-lifting properties. It also balances hormones and chemicals stirred up by vertigo like histamine and serotonin. Lavenders sedative effects promote relaxation when experiencing vertigo distress - apply behind ears or add to a warm bath.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil boosts inner ear circulation to reduce lightheaded sensations while also expanding constricted blood vessels. Its anti-inflammatory action also decreases swelling around balance center nerves. Rosemary further helps overcome fatigue from chronic vertigo when inhaled or applied to the back of the neck.
Acupressure for Vertigo Using Essential Oils
Combining acupressure point massage with essential oils can stimulate inner flow changes to relieve vertigo faster. Effective points include:
Behind the Ear
Massage oils like peppermint or ginger into the small valley behind the earlobes where the skull meets the neck. This grounds feelings of motion while also opening ear fluids.
Back of Neck
Applying lavender oil down the sides of the neck alongside the spine relaxes tight shoulder and neck muscles that contribute to vertigo-related tension.
Temples & Forehead
Rubbing rosemary or peppermint oil along the temples can ease vestibular migraine nerve over-excitation. Massaging up the forehead between eyes also calms vertigo anxiety.
Behind Knees
The Kidney meridian behind each knee regulates ear fluid balance. Massaging ginger or peppermint oil here helps correct fluid issues inducing vertigo long-term.
Try a few minutes of acupressure on each point during intense spinning spells or make it part of your daily vertigo prevention routine.
Other Essential Oil Applications for Vertigo
Some other easy ways to leverage essential oils stabilizing abilities include:
Inhalation from a Handkerchief
Place a few drops total of preferred oils like lavender and ginger onto a handkerchief. Inhale deeply whenever vertigo symptoms flare up - especially helpful for travel-induced motion sickness.
Hot Compress Over Ears
Soak a towel in hot water, wring out and add 2-3 drops peppermint or rosemary oil. Place gently over closed ears like ear muffs to ease symptoms during an acute episode.
Personal Inhaler Sticks
Fill small inhaler sticks with cotton balls soaked in a dilution of your chosen essential oil. Inhale the relaxing scent from sticks as-needed to control episodic vertigo.
Essential Oil Roll-On
For on-the-go relief, make a roll-on from 10-15 drops total essential oil to 1 oz carrier oil. Roll over the neck, behind ears and temples at first signs of vertigo or instability.
Lifestyle Changes to Lessen Vertigo
While using essential oils can help minimize vertigo episodes, making certain lifestyle adjustments may help lower frequency and intensity of attacks:
Improve Posture Habits
Slouching, tilting head positions and straining forward can disrupt inner ear orientation. Make posture corrections - elevated computer screens, lumbar cushions, seated reminders.
Stay Well Hydrated
Dehydration alters electrolyte levels that skew vestibular function. Drink plenty purified water and mineral-rich fluids between episodes.
Limit Dietary Triggers
Caffeine, alcohol, sugar and salt changes can provoke attacks - keep a food diary. Stabilizing the blood sugar is key.
Practice Stress Relief
Anxiety fuels vertigo flare-ups. Try yoga, mindfulness, massage and sufficient sleep for calm. Adaptogen herbs like ashwagandha help lower cortisol.
Gentle Movement Therapy
Special vestibular rehabilitation exercises retrain balance responses. Tai chi, Pilates and gentle stretching boost proprioception - our sense of movement.
By combining essential oils with healthy lifestyle measures, vertigo symptoms can stabilize and enjoyment of life grows.
FAQs
Which essential oils help relieve vertigo?
The top essential oils to help minimize vertigo episodes include peppermint, ginger, lavender and rosemary oils due to their effects on relaxing muscles, easing nausea, improving circulation and lowering anxiety.
Where should I apply essential oils when dizzy?
Effective places to massage essential oils for vertigo relief include behind the ears, over the temples, along the neck/shoulders, and behind the knees along meridian pressure points. Inhaling them also works.
What foods or drinks make vertigo worse?
Foods that can trigger increased vertigo episodes include caffeine, alcohol, foods high in salt or sugar, artificial sweeteners, MSG, processed items with preservatives/additives, and dehydrating drinks like coffee.
Do essential oils help Meniere’s disease vertigo?
Yes, essential oils like lavender, ginger, and rosemary may provide symptom relief for vertigo related to Meniere’s disease. But strict dietary changes to stabilize fluid volumes along with diuretics are still generally needed to prevent Meniere’s attacks.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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