If you’re living with chronic migraine, you know that every treatment option counts — whether it’s prescription or over-the-counter medications, or complementary therapies such as yoga, acupuncture, massage, or aromatherapy.

Migraine sticks, a form of aromatherapy typically applied to the skin, can complement traditional medical approaches for migraine pain relief. This article explains what migraine sticks are and how they may help.

What Are Migraine Sticks?

Migraine sticks are easy-to-carry tubes containing essential oils mixed with a carrier oil, like jojoba or almond oil. Using the migraine stick’s roll-on applicator, you can apply the mixture directly to the temples, forehead, and back of the neck before or during a migraine attack.

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MyMigraineTeam members have reported that migraine sticks are a quick, relatively inexpensive add-on to their treatment plan. “I found a peppermint and lavender essential oil migraine stick online that I roll on my temples,” one member said. “It has quite a soothing scent if you can tolerate smells.”

Another member said, “I use a small roll-on that is a combination of a few scents. I believe it has peppermint, spearmint, and lavender. I just roll it on my temples and forehead. I think it was about $10.”

Migraine sticks provide two advantages: convenient on-the-go use and a diluted essential oil blend. Essential oils aren’t always convenient to use when you’re away from home or when a migraine strikes unexpectedly. Migraine sticks are small, portable, and easy to apply.

Also, essential oils should not be applied directly to the skin without first being diluted, as they can cause irritation or allergic reactions. Migraine sticks typically contain a mixture that has already been diluted, allowing you to apply them safely without having to mix your own blend.

What’s in Migraine Sticks?

Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts that some people use as a complementary approach to migraine care. Peppermint and lavender oils are common essential oils found in migraine sticks. Other oils like spearmint, eucalyptus, basil, and chamomile may also be used.

Peppermint

Peppermint oil is well known for creating a cooling sensation. Its active ingredient, menthol, activates cold-sensitive receptors called TRPM8, making your skin feel cool. This cooling effect may help relieve pain for some people during a migraine attack.

Lavender

Lavender oil does not create the same cooling sensation as peppermint. Instead, it may help some people feel more relaxed, reduce anxiety symptoms, or sleep better.

Because stress is a common migraine trigger, some people find lavender helpful as part of their overall migraine management.

Do Migraine Sticks Work?

Some MyMigraineTeam members have reported finding migraine relief from using essential oils along with medications.

One member said that they were “able to knock back yesterday’s oncoming migraine with Cefaly and peppermint oil.”

Another reported that they “had a mix of headaches and migraines the past five days, and Nurtec and peppermint oil helped a lot.”

However, others say that essential oil sticks just don’t do the trick. “I have tried peppermint oil in the past, and peppermint and lavender mixed, but it didn’t seem to really help,” one member said.

What the Research Says

There are currently no studies on migraine sticks themselves. A few small studies have looked at topical essential oils for migraine, but the overall evidence is limited and more research is needed.

One small study found that a topical menthol solution helped relieve pain during migraine attacks. Another small study found that people who applied basil essential oil to the skin reported improvements in migraine pain and a reduction in the number of migraine attacks.

However, there is not enough high-quality research to conclude that migraine sticks or most essential oils are effective migraine treatments. So, migraine sticks and other topical essential oil products are not currently recommended as a treatment.

It’s also important to remember that these studies did not test commercially available migraine sticks. These products are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for migraine and are generally marketed as cosmetics or wellness products rather than medications. Because of this, the ingredients and quality can vary between manufacturers.

Talking With Your Healthcare Provider

If you’re interested in trying migraine sticks, talk to your doctor about how to add them to your migraine treatment regimen. However, know that migraine sticks are not FDA-approved treatments for migraine and should be considered a complementary option rather than a replacement for established acute or preventive therapies.

If you find that your migraine attacks are worsening or that your current treatment isn’t working anymore, tell your healthcare provider.

Join the Conversation

On MyMigraineTeam, people share their experiences with migraine, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Which essential oils have been most helpful for you? Let others know in the comments below.