Ever experienced that lightheadedness, dizzy feeling? Everything is wobbly and spinning. It makes you feel unsteady on your feet. Combine this dizziness with a headache and nausea, welcome to vertigo.
Vertigo is the medical term for dizziness, and an episode can last for a few minutes, or up to a few days. It can sometimes occur on it’s own, or sometimes it can be a symptom of an underlying disorder or condition. Depending on the underlying cause, essential oils may help you feel like yourself again.
Why Essential Oils are good for Vertigo
Essential oils are a great natural option for supporting you during an episode of Vertigo. They can ease the nausea, ease the headache, and they can halt that dizzy feeling. If you are getting dizzy on a regular basis, speak with a healthcare professional to explore it further.
The exact symptoms for Vertigo may vary from person to person – so we suggest experimenting with the oils listed below, playing with the suggested recipes to make what is right for you.
But what oils can help? Let’s explore which oils are the best oils for vertigo. Here’s my Top 7 suggestions.
Best Essential Oils For Vertigo
1. Veitver (Vetiveria zizanioides)
This deeply rich and grounding oil will soon have you feeling steady on feet. It is said to be good at stabilizing the nervous system, and bringing a sense of calmness to both the body and mind.
In a small bottle, add 1 drop of Vetiver and 5 ml of your favorite carrier (vegetable) oil. When you feel the wave of nausea hit you, pour a couple of drops of the blended product into your hands, rub them together, cup your hands over your nose and inhale slowly and deeply.
2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
The old wives tale of using ginger in whatever form still holds true today. With it’s analgesic, anti-nausea and stimulating properties, Ginger may be one of the best options of oils for vertigo and dizziness.
Whenever you feel that wave of nausea hit, place one drop of Ginger onto a tissue, and inhale deeply. Almost instantly, the feelings ease. A nice, warm Ginger tea, or some Ginger cookies are great options too – mind you, these are not made using essential oils but shavings from the the actual root or some ginger spices.
3. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Many people use Peppermint to help relieve nausea – and it is reported that the Menthol content of this oil is what makes it a handy tool for relieving nausea. As it has an uplifting aroma, it can also assist with giving you an energy boost.
One drop in your diffuser in the afternoon helps with the afternoon slump.
4. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
This oil is great for stimulating the mind, and also said to be good for headaches, both of which make it a great choice for Vertigo. If you get accompanying neck pain during an episode of Vertigo, Basil can help there too.
I like to put 10 ml of Jojoba oil into a jar and add one drop of Basil; I then rub a little on my neck, and the tension eases. I feel like I smell like Italian pesto, but boy does it ease that neck pain and tension in a hurry.
5. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Is there anything that Lavender isn’t useful for? While I jest, just a little, it really is good support for so many things, Vertigo included. Lavender is well known for its calming and relaxing properties, so adding this oil to your Vertigo toolkit many help ease any anxious feelings. Many people get really anxious when they start feeling dizzy, afraid that they might pass out, fall over, or even vomit. Lavender comes to the rescue.
Lavender always has the ability to calm when I experience a Vertigo episode, and one drop on a tissue works a treat. Yes, it really is that powerful.
6. Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)
Another great oil for anxiety and nervousness, this oil is also said to be good for dizziness. Whilst some can initially find the aroma overwhelming, with time it can be a great alternative.
I like to add a drop into moisturizer especially during my monthly cycle. It helps ease the anxious feelings I sometimes experience.
7. Melissa (Melissa officinalis)
Good for calming the nervous system, Melissa is also reported to be useful for nausea. It has a delightful refreshing herbaceous and lemon like aroma.
Add a drop or two to your diffuser to help relieve the nausea, and to help calm and relax yourself.
It is important to note that Tisserand and Young advise that there is a possible drug interaction hazard with Melissa. They caution that it can cause skin irritation, and therefore recommend a dermal maximum of 0.9%
Best Essential Oil For Vertigo Recipes
I’m Not Dizzy Diffuser Blend
In your diffuser, add
- 3 drops of Peppermint,
- 2 drops of Ginger,
- 1 drop of Melissa and
- 1 drop of Lavender.
This blend will help ease those dizzy, unsteady feelings, but remember to only diffuse for a short time, no more than 30 minutes at a time.
Steady She Goes Inhaler stick
This is my favorite way to use essential oils, as they are portable and discreet.
On you inhaler stick, place the following oils
- 5 drops of peppermint,
- 2 drops of ginger,
- 2 drops of basil and
- 1 drop of vetiver
These sticks comes in fours parts. Place the oils on the wick, then place it into the plastic body and click on the lid. To use, unscrew the outer casing, place under your nose and inhale deeply. Within minutes, your uneasy feelings should dissipate.
I carry one in my bag at all times, so that if the dizziness arises whilst I’m out and about, I’ve got instant relief at hand.
Nausease Roll On By Roller Bottle Blend
In a 10 ml glass roller bottle, add the following oils
- 2 drops of melissa,
- 1 drop of clary Sage,
- 1 drop of lavender
- 1 drop of basil, and
- 1 drop of vetiver
Then fill with your favorite carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba Oil or Sweet Almond Oil.
Place the roller bottle lid, and shake to blend the oils together.
When you start feeling dizzy and nauseous, whip out your roller bottle, and roll on the back of your neck and temples.
To Summarize
- The medical term for Dizziness is Vertigo. It can happen by itself, or be a symptom of an underlying issue.
- Remember that vertigo can be caused by a number of things, so it is always safer to seek the services of a medical professional if symptoms persist. If your vertigo is caused by an infection or inflammation, you may need stronger medications. If it is caused by an underlying disease or condition, then other treatment options may be more appropriate.
- But if you get dizzy occasionally, essential oils are an easy yet effective method for easing it quickly.
- Get back on steady ground again with essential oils, and get rid of that yucky dizziness as quickly as possible.
Read more:
References:
Tisserand, R, and Young, R. (2013) Essential Oil Safety, Second Edition; Edinburgh, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.