Make Your Own “Soothing Roots Balm” for Headache Relief
When a headache hits, the only thing that sounds remotely pleasant is lying down, closing you’re eyes, and falling asleep. Unfortunately, more often than not, we’re stuck in traffic, helping the kids with homework, dealing with a crabby boss, trying to cook dinner, running to catch the bus, etc. etc. when the pounding sets in, and lying down just isn’t an option. Instead of instantly medicating yourself, carry around a little tin of this soothing headache balm and rub some on your temples, the back of your neck, or anywhere you feel tense or sore to help relieve the pain.
Ingredients: Peppermint Oil, Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil, Beeswax, Shea Nut Oil, Grapeseed Oil.
Why peppermint oil: Peppermint contains menthol, and menthol produces a cooling sensation on the skin which, couples with the refreshing scent, helps relieve tension and resulting tension headaches.
Why eucalyptus oil: Fresh and invigorating, eucalyptus soothes without making you sleepy. Studies have shown the scent increases brainwave activity, reducing fatigue. Rubbed on muscles, it helps relieve tension and soreness.
Why lavender oil: Lavender is also a wonderfully soothing scent, being used in a number of studies testing the benefits of aromatherapy.
Changes in brain wave patterns for people exposed to the scent suggested increased relaxation and a resulting loss of tension in muscles.
Why beeswax/Shea nut oil/grapeseed oil: All of these ingredients are what give the balm its body, and dilute the essential oils. Good and nourishing for the skin, they are easier to obtain than their names suggest! (Grapeseed oil can be found at your local grocery store.)
You will need…
-15-20 drops of peppermint oil
-10 drops of lavender oil
-2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil
-1/4 cup Shea nut oil
-1 tablespoon grapeseed oil
-2 tablespoons beeswax pastilles/grated beeswax
Directions
Making your roots balm is easy, and takes around 20 minutes from start to finish. In a double boiler over medium heat melt ¼ cup of Shea nut oil, 1 tablespoon of grapeseed oil, and 2 tablespoons of beeswax pastilles or grated beeswax together.
Turn off the heat when thoroughly blended, and add 20 drops of peppermint oil, 10 drops of lavender oil, and 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil. Pour into a small container with a tightly fitting lid, and let cool and solidify.
Massage a bit onto your temples, back of neck, the pressure point between the thumb and forefinger, or anywhere that needs some soothing when you feel tense or a headache coming on. Breathe deeply.
Note: Adding more wax yields a more solid balm, whereas adding more oil yields a softer one. You can also infuse your oil to give your balm an extra boost.
Have you baked before? Made a batch of brownies or chocolate chip cookies? If so, I assure you that you can do this. We’re very programmed to think that something such as “balm” is out of our reach, but this headache remedy is well within your capabilities. Feel free to adjust the scent of your Roots Balm to be stronger or less powerful, depending on your personal preference.
P.S. Make sure to take a look at the Everyday Roots Book with 350+ pages of the best home remedies, natural beauty recipes, homemade cleaners and diy household products. View Remedies
By Claire Goodall
Claire is a lover of life, the natural world, and wild blueberries. On the weekend you can find her fiddling in the garden, playing with her dogs, and enjoying the great outdoors with her horse. Claire is very open-minded, ask her anything 🙂 Meet ClaireWe Want to Hear from You! Let us know which remedies work and do not work for you, ask a question or leave a comment:
Can I use shea butter instead of shea nut oil?
Because the therapeutic value of essential oils is lost with exteme heat, I would add the essential oils when the mixtures has cooled a little, about 3 minutes at least.
How do you get rid of roaches?
Can this be used while pregnant? I’ve heard that lavender oil can induce labor/cause miscarriage.
If pregnant always consult your OB/GYN before using essential oils or other homeopathic therapies.
How do you infuse the oil & what does it mean?
To infuse oils, take a jar fill it about 1/2 – 3/4 with dry herbs fill the jar with oil and let it steep for at least 2 weeks shaking every day or so, you can let it sit longer if you have the time. Keep it in a warm area but out of direct sunlight. This pulls the beneficial components from the herbs and infuses the oil with them.
If you are in a hurry, you can gently warm the oil in a double boiler and add the herbs turn the heat off cover and let steep until cool. Do not get the oil too hot or you could burn the herbs when added. With either method strain the oil through cheesecloth to remove the plant material when ready to use.
I Like the information
where can I find those type of containers to put it in? I would like to make multiple containers and give them as gifts!
You can get them online from Mountain Rose Herbs, or if you have a local health/herbal store, they probably carry them as well 🙂
Can it be made without the lavender oil? For some reason lavender has the opposite effect on me, and gives me a terrible headache.
Yup!
How do you make it stronger for those really bad headaches? Or is this recipe enough?
You can try adding more essential oils (particularly the peppermint) if you find its not effective as it is, but it usually is just fine for me 🙂
I’ve been looking for something like this@ I have everything on hand except the shea nut oil. I do have shea butter though so i will use that and skip the beeswax! Hope it works out well!
Can the shea nut oil and grapeseed oils be replaced by any other oils? Thanks!
very interested in making my own soaps and balms thankyou
What size container did you use, let’s say from Mountain Rose Herbs? Thanks!
HELP!!! What if Lavender triggers migraines? Can I just leave it out? What can I use in it’s place?!!!
I left lavender out of my first mixture, and added lemon, clove, rosemary, birch, and wintergreen. I’ve had several people tell me it worked for them. Not immediate, but when I asked them 20-30 mins later they said their headache was gone and they didn’t even notice!
I would like to make this recipe vegan. What can I substitute for the beeswax?
Candelilla wax.
I love this stuff! I paid a lot of money for 2 little tiny containers of something similar at a flea market. Had no idea I could make it myself! Thank you!
Since lavender isn’t my favorite scent in the world, can I replace the lavender oil with rose essential oil?
brilliant stuff and considering my supplier of this has gone out of business im now going to make my own
Is there a substitute for lavender oil for those allergic?
I also add lemon, clove, rosemary, birch, and wintergreen to my headache mixture.
Would you please share the amounts?
Hi!! My question is how I can substitute shea nut oil?? I can’t find it in my country, thanks in advance. Great site!!
Are there any substitutes for the peppermint/eucalyptus? My skin breaks out in rashes when they’re applied topically.
If not, no worries, but thank you in advance.
where did you buy that shea nut oil
Shea nut oil is the same thing shea butter ???
How much does the original recipe make? In what size tin would it fit?
Is ThEre A Substitute For Shea NuT Oil? Will Shea Butter, Mango Butter OR Cocoa Butter Be Ok To Substitute For The Nut oil
I can not get shea nut oil where I live. What can I use as a substitute? Someone else has asked the same question but I have not seen an answer. Did I miss it somehow? Thanks in advance.
Yes, Shea butter will work! You may have to tweak the amount of beeswax if it gets too solid, but it should be fine 🙂
Hi,
Just wondering if I cold use coconut oil instead of the shea nut oil.
Does this recipe yield just one 2oz container?
How much does this yield…or what size and amount to containers used?
Substitute for eucalyptus oil? I’m intolerant to it but would love to make without if can.
Thank you!
Your muscle mass too. It’s the tight muscular tissues which are causing the discomfort in the initial location, so it makes feeling to relax them. Your local pharmacy will be able to suggest you on the ideal treatment if you know what kind of headache you have.
Simoni
Can you substitute almond oil for the grapeseed oil?
Absolutely!
Me again….can you substitute coconut oil for the shea nut oil??
Yup! I’d just play around with the ratio, probably lessen the beeswax, since it will be more solidified.
How does the balm work? I’m looking for herbal remedies to add to my repetoire that aren’t aromatherapy based – I have no sense of smell and am instead trying to access the medicinal properties of the plants. Thank you. 🙂
What can I use instead of eucalyptus? My daughter has seizures and eucalyptus can cause seizures.