Yoga and Peppermint
How to handle headaches and migraine holistically

As soon as you wake up to an overcast morning or a windy day you feel the pounding, dull, deep pain resonating behind one or both of your eyes alongside the squeezing, annoying pain across your forehead; one or both temples. Perhaps you have a big project coming up, time is running out, and these symptoms begin to grow. Then there are always those days you don’t have enough food or water and you just know you are destined for a headache or worse, a migraine.
Instead of taking over-the-counter pain relievers which cause damage to our filter organs such as the kidneys and liver, try a few of these holistic treatments and see which ones work best for you. Letting the body heal itself is the best cure but can also mean an extended period of dealing with the pain, however, if your schedule doesn’t permit that then here are some options that your internal, vital organs will thank you for.
- Aroma Therapy

Peppermint oil is not only amazing for Christmas baked goods but did you know it has properties that aid blood flow allowing vessels to open and close. Headaches and migraines can be contributed to poor circulation, so finding a way to get the blood flowing properly again can help significantly reduce pain. Place a small amount on a cotton ball or in a steaming bowl of water (caution to not burn yourself) and simply allow yourself a few deep inhales. Repeat as often as you would like.
- Yoga

Connecting your breath to your movement it what yoga is all about. When our body and mind are connected we feel more at ease and balanced. The higher our relaxation and emotional alignment the healthier our mind functions.
Following a simple yoga sequence as part of your daily routine can significantly reduce or eliminate headaches and migraines. For this practice you don’t need to be a yoga master, but you do want to be mindful of proper alignment as to not cause stress on your joints.
So here are some poses you can try:
- Gentle Sun Salutation
- Wide Legged Forward Fold
- Seated Forward Fold
- Seated Twist
- Bridge Pose *repeat poses 1–5 about 2–3 times*
- Corpse Pose *rest here however long you desire*

