Vertigo can strike anyone at any time and without much warning. Sometimes it’s a symptom of another condition. Other times, you can’t find the source. Choosing a holistic approach and using essential oils for vertigo might help if you’re suffering this occasional or chronic condition.
Essential oils contain healing properties that can strengthen and support your central nervous system. Including them in your natural home remedies can ease symptoms faster than letting them take their course. Whether you diffuse them, use them in recipes, or inhale them directly from the bottle, relief might be around the corner.
What is Vertigo?
Many forms of vertigo exist, but the main cause is generally an issue inside your inner ear or as a side effect of another condition. Some are minor and easily treatable while others aren’t. At times, you and your doctor might not understand what is causing your vertigo.
Causes:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)
- Meniere’s disease
- Vestibular neuritis
- Head and/or neck injury
- Stroke
- Tumor
- Migraines
- Some medications
- Withdrawal from medications, alcohol, and illegal substances
- Unknown
Common symptoms:
- Spinning
- Swaying
- Tilting or pulled in a single direction
- Inability to gain or regain balance
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Sweating
- A headache
- Jerking eye movements
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Common symptoms:
- Spinning
- Swaying
- Tilting or pulled in a single direction
- Inability to gain or regain balance
- Tinnitus
- Hearing loss
- Sweating
- A headache
- Jerking eye movements
- Vomiting
- Nausea
Choosing an Essential Oil for Vertigo Symptoms
Because vertigo can present with multiple symptoms, you will want to look for essential oils that perform more than the job.
- Lemon Balm essential oil (Melissa essential oil)
- Peppermint essential oil
- Ginger essential oil
- Lavender essential oil
- Cyprus essential oil
- Basil essential oil
- Clary Sage essential oil
- Rosemary essential oil
- Rose essential oil
- Tangerine essential oil
- Frankincense essential oil
source: healthline.com
Advantages of Using Essential Oils
For those who’ve tried conventional treatments without success, a natural remedy might be right for you. Quality essential oils are distilled or cold pressed from organic or wild picked flowers, herbs, and plants. Their unique healing compounds remained in their extracted oils. When your body absorbs the essential oil, it’s as if you’re absorbing the plant itself.
You can choose to use essential oils along with conventional treatments with few to no negative side effects. Allergic reaction remains the most common. Use a patch test to rule out reactions.
Properties to Look for
Because vertigo affects the central nervous system, which includes nervous tension, dizziness spells, and ear infection, you’ll want healing properties that address them. You won’t find a single essential oil that contains every benefit required for treating vertigo; however, you can quickly understand which oils to use or blend for optimal effectiveness.
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-inflammation
- Anti-nausea
- Anti-stress/anti-anxiety
- Sedative
Buying USDA Certified Organic, third-party verified, or wild harvested oils will come close to ensuring you actually receive a pure oil. Some companies dilute their oils, use synthetic compounds, or cut corners.
The Best Way to Use Essential Oils
You can apply your chosen essential oils for vertigo topically with a carrier oil, use it in a room spray, an inhalation device, or a diffuser.
Some essential oils can be taken internally; however, please consult your naturopath, doctor, or a nutritionist before ingesting any essential oil.
Easy Recipe for Using Essential Oils
Any topically applied oil needs a carrier. We recommend coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil for many of the recipes; however, unless noted, any carrier oil should do in a standard body oil recipe.
Carrier-diluted essential oil—mix I tablespoon of carrier oil with 1-2 drops of essential oil and apply to the affected area. For vertigo, massage oil into the base of the neck and behind each ear. Use gentle circular motions.
Diffused—add 10-20 drops to your diffuser or less if making a custom blend; consult your manufacturer’s instructions for exact amounts.
The Controversy Over Essential Oils
Natural healthcare and remedies do see controversy from scientists, medical professionals, and the US government. This is largely due to mixed data, small studies, and so forth. What they do agree on is that using essential oils as directed is generally safe.
sources: healthline, Journal of American Science (pdf)
Before Using Essential Oils
Understand that carrier oils are necessary when using essential oils safely. The oil allows the essential oil’s healing properties to absorb deeper into your skin and work quickly and effectively.
If you choose to diffuse your essential oils, you should consider an ultrasonic variety as they release essential oils directly into the air, which can then absorb into your skin. However, a diffuser alone might not allow the essential oils to penetrate deeply enough, but the aromatherapy value isn’t to be underestimated.
Vertigo: The Best Essential Oils
1. Ginger Essential Oil by L&I Apothecary
Properties: antiseptic, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-anxiety.
L&I Apothecary is the Mother of British oils with a simple goal to nourish and balance the sacred joy within their customers.
Steam distilled
USDA Certified Organic
Food and pharmaceutical grade
Pros:
- Comes with a dropper
- Strong aroma
Cons:
- Hefty investment for a single oil
2. Lavender Essential Oil by Handcraft Blends
Properties: anti-anxiety, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and sedative
Handcraft Blends is a small company located in TX who prides themselves in bringing quality but affordable oils.
Third party tested
Responsibly sourced
USA Based and bottled
Pros:
- Comes with dropper style cap
Cons:
- Lighter oil and might need to use more for desired scent/fragrance
3. Melissa Essential Oil by Artizen
Properties: anti-viral, antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-anxiety and anti-spasmodic
Plant Therapy is a family owned and an oriented company that believes in delivering its customers the highest quality essential oils at the lowest price.
EPA Green Power Partner
USDA Certified Organic
Steam distilled
Also called Lemon Balm and Sweet Balm
Pros:
- Little goes a long way
- Has built-in dropper
Cons:
- Hefty investment
- Can’t be used while pregnant
- Topical use should be limited to occasional
4. Rosemary Essential Oil from Mary Tylor Naturals
Properties: disinfectant, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-stress, and anti-inflammatory
Ancient Apothecary offers high-potency essential oils, diffusers, and a wealth of information to the public.
Endorsed by Dr. Axe
Steam distilled
Certified USDA Organic
Pros:
- Strong smell
Cons:
- Available in one size
5. Tangerine Essential Oil by Plant Therapy
Properties: anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, sedative, and antiseptic
Plant Therapy employs a team of aromatherapists to test and craft their essential oils.
Third party tested
Kid Safe when diluted
Cold pressed
Pros:
- Sweet citrus scent
Cons:
- Scent can dissipate quickly
6. Cypress Essential Oil by Plant Guru
Properties: astringent, anti-septic, diuretic, sedative, anti-spasmodic, and hemostatic
Plant Guru is a small family-run business that began with a shared love of essential oils and a dislike at the rising costs. They aim to bring potent, affordable essential oils to everyone.
Third party tested
Steam distilled
Pros:
- Fresh, clean fore notes
- Dropper in bottle
Cons:
- Back/after scent can resemble tar
7. Good Sleep Essential Oil Blend by Healing Solutions
Healing Solutions prides themselves on bringing the highest quality oils to everyone, regardless of economic status. While their products aren’t certified organic, they do extensive testing and offer third party certification.
Steam distilled
Third party tested and verified
Blend: Chamomile, Clary Sage, Copaiba, French lavender, Peru Balsam, Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, and Ylang Ylang
Pros:
- Pre-blended, just add to your favorite carrier
- Great addition for purse or travel
- Earthy scent
Cons
- You can’t control the amounts of each oil since it’s readymade
Our Choice: Best Essential Oils For Vertigo
Choosing a clear winner is more difficult for us than it seems. We must study the essential oils commonly used for vertigo along with the symptoms of the condition. After narrowing down our short list, we’ve decided Rosemary Essential Oil from Mary Taylor Naturals is the winner due to its extensive healing properties, unisex use, and its general availability.
You may also like to read our recent blog post: “7 Best Essential Oils for Rosacea You’ll Want To Try Today“
Anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-stress, and anti-inflammatory properties can help you to alleviate most symptoms and some causes of vertigo. Rosemary also blends well with other oils, which adds to its versatility. Furthermore, everyone should have this essential oil in their toolkit. You can use it in any application or as part of a recipe for a reduced stress, germ-free environment.