Sometimes, it is difficult to fall asleep at night due to a busy lifestyle, but some oils can actually help you drift off and help you get a comfortable and healthy night’s sleep.
The use of oils as a DIY remedy for better sleep is called Aromatherapy, and has been around for many thousands of years, originally used for religious purposes. The term “Aromatherapy” was invented by a French chemist in 1935, when he successfully used Lavender oil to treat a burn incident.
Aromatherapy involves inhaling essential oil scents or vapor in hopes of obtaining positive health effects. Research demonstrates that because smell affects sleep, incorporating certain essential oils into your bedtime routine may help people sleep better.
So, what oils should we use to aid our sleep?
- Lavender Oil – This oil is well known for its relaxing and calming affects. It works by calming the central nervous system and promotion slow-wave sleep, so helping you sleep longer and better. So while lavender oil might seem like something that just smells nice, it can pack a pretty powerful (and well researched) punch when it comes to helping you sleep better.
How do I use:
- Sprinkle a few drops onto a cloth and inhale directly, or.
- Use a few drops in an aromatherapy diffuser or vaporiser.
- Chamomile Oil – Chamomile has some unique properties that may benefit the quality of your sleep. Also known for its calming effect. It contains apigenin, an antioxidant that binds to certain receptors in your brain that may promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia, or the chronic inability to sleep. It is considered to be one of the best essential oils for sleep and anxiety.
- It is especially recommended for people who suffer from hypersensitivity and hypertension. Usually, it is also used with children who are simply struggling to fall asleep.
How do I use:
- Diffusion. A diffuser allows the scent of evaporated essential oils to spread through a room.
- Drink Chamomile Tea just before bed.
- Mandarin Oil
This citrus and sweet aroma oil will relieve anxiety and nervousness, as it reduces tensions and soothes unstable moods. It also calms muscle spasms, thus promoting deep and relaxed sleep.
- Cedar Oil
This oil is best used as a diffuser for the whole house, thanks to its excellent fragrance. It has a great sedative power, which reinforces relaxation and combats insomnia. Just pour 15-20 drops into a diffuser with sticks, placing it on the bedside table. You will feel more relaxed after just a few minutes.
- Marjoram Oil
This oil prevents stress and anxiety and is best that you use this oil as an air freshener.
Lavender, mandarin and chamomile oil are best used on the skin, massaging it with circular movements until it is completely absorbed. A couple of drops are enough to prevent the perfume from becoming too intense.
It is also best to use them at night before going to sleep, applying it on the soles of the feet, behind the knees and on the back of the neck.
For cedar and marjoram oils, use them on furniture or inside room diffusers. In this way, you will create a magical and relaxing atmosphere
