12 Essential Oils for Vertigo That Will Make You Feel Better

Have you ever felt like the world around you is moving while in actual fact it’s not?

You, my friend, have experienced what is known as vertigo. While there is a mild form of vertigo, some people experienced frequent bouts which leave them disoriented.

Vertigo is characterized by the feeling that the surrounding environment is spinning or moving. It can be mistaken for dizziness. When it describes an illusion of movement where you feel as if you are moving, it is referred to as subjective vertigo. In cases where the perception is that your surroundings are moving, it is called objective vertigo.

Unlike lightheadedness and dizziness, vertigo has very few causes. It is in itself is a symptom of other conditions and as such is not contagious. It could be classified in two:

Central vertigo – Caused by problems in the brain or the central nervous system
Peripheral vertigo – Caused by problems in the inner ear

Causes of vertigo

Anxiety or panic attacks may cause a person to feel the sensation of vertigo. Being stressed is not a cause of it but can heighten the symptoms.
The sickness of disembarkation also referred to as ‘Mal de debarquement‘ is a medical term for dizziness and vertigo experienced after traveling by boat or being on a cruise. It might also be experienced by some people when they get off a train or a plane.
Acoustic Neuroma is a rare cause of vertigo related to a type of tumor on the nerve tissue of the inner ear. Symptoms include one-sided ringing and hearing loss.
Vertigo can be as a result of inflammation of the inner ear also referred to as labyrinthitis. Very often, the cause of labyrinthitis is a viral or bacterial inner ear infection. Symptoms are likely to last for days until the inflammation subsides.

Symptoms that may go with vertigo include:

Feeling nauseated
Ringing in the ears
Vomiting
Nystagmus (abnormal or jerking eye movements)

The diagnosis of vertigo depends on the cause and can be treated by medication, self-care home remedies and physical therapy maneuvers. Essential oils play a part in alleviating some forms of vertigo.

How to cure vertigo, dizziness or nausea with essential oils?

The application of treatment when using essential oils can be done in two ways:

1. Massage

Due to the high concentration of nutrients and other natural compounds in essential oils, it is highly recommended not to use them ‘neat’ or in their full strength as they are too strong and can be harmful to your skin. They can cause irritation or spark of allergies.

Instead use them in a carrier oil like jojoba, olive, sweet almond, avocado, coconut or castor oil.

Using a larger volume of carrier oil, add a few drops of the essential oil and massage two to three drops of the mixture onto your forehead, back of the neck or temples. Be cautious when applying the oil to your face or neck as the skin in those areas is very sensitive.

To test whether you are allergic to a given essential oil, you can rub the mixture on a small part of skin to see if you have any reaction.

2. Inhalation

Add a few drops of the essential oil into a bowl of hot water, then covering your head with a towel you can hover your face over the bowl and inhale deeply for several minutes.

Be careful not to touch the hot water with your face. The purpose of the towel is to make sure the steam is confined to your face area and prevent it from escaping.

Essential oils for vertigo, dizziness and nausea relief

Through steam distillation and cold pressing, plants release their essence and fragrance into rich oils. The oils are used for aromatherapy and they also have natural healing compounds that can be applied in healing various symptoms owing to their potent and rich constitutions.

These oils are known as essential oils and have become popular alternative medicines.

Below we explore how to cure symptoms of vertigo, dizziness or nausea with essential oils. The best approach to vertigo treatment using essential oils is by focusing on your symptoms to determine what their cause.

1. Thyme oil

Inhaling diluted thyme essential oil from a steaming pot can make you relieved of vertigo.

The anti-dizziness properties in its compounds will help in lifting feelings of nausea and dizziness or lightheadedness, which are symptoms typically associated with vertigo.

2. Peppermint oil

Peppermint is a common aromatherapy scent. The plant itself is a culmination of cross-breeding the spearmint and watermint.

Peppermint oil is known to be helpful in menstrual pain alleviating nausea, headache and vomiting.

Since vertigo bears the some of the same symptoms, peppermint essential oil would prove to be helpful in addressing the same symptoms. Drop a few drops into a cotton ball and let it evaporate slowly in the air.

3. Ginger oil

Ginger oil has been known to treat symptoms of painful menstruation by massaging it on the abdomen, mixed with the carrier oil. This helps reduce symptoms associated with menstruation like vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and headaches.

In the case of vertigo, you can consider massaging this mixture of diluted essential oil onto your temples, back of the neck and chest areas.

4. Lavender oil

Lavender oil has the ability to soothe the nerves, relieve anxiety and eliminate inflammation which often causes vertigo.

You can use a diffuser for your space so that you are constantly inhaling lavender, or you can douse your pillow at night with a few drops of lavender so that you will be inhaling it all night long helping you sleep better. This allows it to address your vertigo symptoms while in a relaxed state helping you have a balanced start in the morning.

5. Lemon oil

Lemon essential oil is known to have anti-nausea properties and natural stress relief qualities that help in addressing vertigo symptoms like nausea and vomiting.

Although more research is required on this essential oil it has been cited as a great help in aiding people to cope with the stress associated with bouts of vertigo.

6. Frankincense oil

Rubbing diluted frankincense oil at the bottom of the neck, temple and chest releases this oil’s aromatic compounds which have the ability to balance your nervous system and prevent vertigo.

7. Rosemary oil

People who chronically suffer from vertigo symptoms are bound to benefit from the healing compounds of rosemary which includes soothing headaches and relieving dizziness.

Rosemary oil serves as both a preventative measure and treatment for vertigo sufferers. Dab it on your neck area so that it can waft up your nostrils without being too overpowering.

8. Tangerine oil

Tangerine essential oil has strong citrusy fragrance and has been known to be helpful in treating migraines, headaches and vertigo.

Add a few drops in a steaming pot and inhale. Not only will the fragrance help you relax, the healing compounds will help with the headaches and restore your sense of balance.

9. Clary Sage oil

This essential oil is particularly effective in eliminating the lack of balance and dizziness caused by vertigo. The active ingredient in this oil acts as a sedative calming the nervous system and as such promoting normal cognitive processes.

If you don’t have sensitive skin, this oil can be used as a chest rub. Alternatively, it can be diffused in your space by using a diffuser in your home, office or car.

10. Basil oil

Basil oil is used effectively in inhalation practices owing to its strong anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant qualities that easily help balance the nerves and bring a calming feeling to the mind. It also improves the respiratory function which translates to more oxygen, better brain function and fewer symptoms of vertigo.

A few drops of basil oil can be inhaled from a steaming pot or you can use the essential oil diffuser.

11. Cypress oil

Cypress oil functions to improve blood flow and the spillover effects of this help the brain to function more effectively. It enhances alertness and cognitive function which reduce dizziness and lightheadedness.

It can be used as a chest rub or can be inhaled from a steaming pot. You can also use it in a diffuser to scent a designated healing space, whether your car, bedroom or office.

12. Rose oil

Aside from having a calming fragrance that puts the mind, body and spirit at ease, rose oil’s active ingredients can actively engage your nervous system to soothe anxiety and prevent many peripheral symptoms associated with vertigo-like nausea and dizziness.

Dab a little around your ears, neck and chest for natural inhalation. You can also spray a diluted form into your pillow to aid you to relax and dissipate the symptoms of vertigo.

Essential oil blend for vertigo (suggested recipes)

Creating your own blend for vertigo is easy. Here we provide you with simple but effective recipes.

Recipe 1

Blend to be used on a diffuser

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Open the top of the diffuser and add water to the watermark. Add the drops in the water tank
Close the top of the diffuser and plug in
Inhale deep breaths as the mist spews out of the diffuser. Let it run for up to 30 minutes

Recipe 2

Use the roller bottle technique

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Open the roller bottle and pour the essential oils into the bottle
Add coconut oil to the bottle
Put the roller ball back, put on the cap and shake well to blend the oils
Massage on the forehead, chest and behind the years

Things you should consider when using essential oil for vertigo

Essential oils react differently on different people. As such, you should perform a test on your skin using the diluted essential oil of your choice to see if you have any allergic reactions.
Always dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil for the safety of your skin.
Essential oils for vertigo are not to be ingested as they may result in gastrointestinal pain and stomach discomfort.
Most people who suffer from vertigo will benefit from essential oils. However, if your symptoms persist or worsen, then you will need medical attention which might include canalith repositioning or the Epley maneuver.

The above procedure generally works for most people but in the event that it doesn’t, then you might be a candidate for the surgical option. This entails having a bone plug placed in your ear to block off the portion of your inner ear responsible for your symptoms. It is worth noting that more than 90% will experience relief from vertigo following the procedure.

Conclusion

If you suffer from vertigo, try the above mentioned essential oils which might just work wonders for you before you settle for commercial or surgical solutions. They could very well be the solution you have been searching for in helping with vertigo.

However, do not hesitate to get medical attention for your vertigo if it incapacitates you and adversely affects your quality of life even after using these oils.

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