Are you suffering from insomnia or other sleep disorders? Have you been seeking a complementary therapy for treating these conditions? If you have been using medications and aren’t getting any effective results, then it’s probably high time you checked out aromatherapy.

Wondering in what ways aromatherapy can help treat your condition? Continue reading this post to know more.

Aromatherapy – An Overview:

Aromatherapy makes use of essential oils to heal and comfort the senses, and mostly the oils are used topically rather than internally. Studies conducted on college going girls who complained of stress and the inability to sleep well gave conclusive results that lavender oil, in particular, could help in reducing sleep-related issues (1).

How Do The Aromatic Oils Work?

The essential aromatic oils stimulate the brain area that is known as the limbic system. This area controls the emotions and mood. There is no concrete scientific backing for aromatherapy, but the experiences of many people relate that it helps soothe their nerves, ease tension, reduce depression symptoms, promote relaxation and induce sleep (2).

Aromatherapy And Sleep:

Very limited scientific evidence is available that supports the positive influence of aromatherapy on sleep. However, some studies do support the fact that aromatherapy can induce sleep in people suffering from insomnia. A study conducted in 2006 on 42 women suffering from sleeplessness discovered that when these women were treated with lavender oil aromatherapy for four weeks, they were relieved of insomnia. Moreover, these women also got relief from the symptoms of depression.

In another 2008 study carried out on infants, it was found that when lavender essential oil was added to the bath water of the babies, they slept more.

Another review of medicinal plants for insomnia reports that Chamomile and ylang-ylang essential oils helped improve sleep.

How To Use Aromatherapy To Induce Sleep?

Although there is no solid proof that suggests the efficacy of aromatherapy in inducing sound sleep, it has been found to be helpful for a number of insomnia patients. If you are tired of using the contemporary medications and are wary of the side effects they might cause, you must try to restore your sleep by using essential oil combinations.

1. Add A Few Drops To Your Evening Bath Water:

Aromatherapy is very much relaxing and rejuvenating. One way of relaxing your nerves is to add a few drops of warm and aromatic essential oil to your bath. You can use any scented and cooling aromatic oil such as lavender or jojoba. Soak yourself in the bath for at least an hour prior to going to bed, otherwise the hot water makes your body temperature soar and you will find it hard to sleep immediately. After 60 minutes, when your body temperature comes down, the aromatherapy starts its work and makes you feel sleepy.

2. Massage With The Oils:

You can use a combination of different essential oils for massaging the body. It is not necessary to massage the whole body to get relief. You can try massaging your foot or even your back to induce sleep. Again, the massage should be avoided immediately before it is sleep time.

3. Put A Cotton Ball Near The Bedside:

It is a common practice in European households to keep a cotton ball dipped in Melissa, hops, lavender, dill or chamomile oil near the beds of the kids or under their pillows to induce sound sleep. Many people also spray the lavender oil on the bed sheet to avoid sleepless nights. Several naturopaths and doctors will vouch for the fact that a few drops of aroma oils like lavender, rose, or lemon can have a calming effect on the mind (3).

Things To Remember:

• While using essential oils before going to bed, avoid stimulating and energizing the oils.
• Avoid aromatic products that contain rosemary, peppermint, grapefruit, lemon or cypress before bedtime. Otherwise, they will keep you awake all through the night.

Here are some of the oils that can help you in relieving insomnia symptoms and help you sleep well:

1. Bergamot:

The oil is prepared from the peel of a particular citrus fruit and has a refreshing and anti-depressing effect. It also reduces anxiety.

2. Benzoin:

It acts as a sedative, promotes relaxation and warmth, and hence is largely recommended for treating insomnia.

3. Chamomile:

It is a therapeutic essential oil used in tea to create a soothing effect in people suffering from insomnia.

4. Frankincense:

It is used to produce spiritual, mental peace and solace. The oil induces tranquillity, and hence is widely used in the aromatic incense that is lit for patients suffering from insomnia.

5. Clary Sage:

It has been found to be useful in reducing tension, depression and stress, and all the other factors that ultimately lead to insomnia. It soothes the nervous system, thereby inducing sound sleep.

6. Jasmine Oil:

It is used for its calming and sedative characteristics for treating insomnia. It relieves stress and fatigue.

7. Geranium:

This oil has a rosy scent and hence is also known as women’s oil in some parts of the world. It is extremely useful in eliminating sleep disorders caused due to female hormonal imbalances.

8. Lavender:

Lavender oil has been used as an effective remedy for curing depression and anxiety. It is known to relax the nervous system, thereby ensuring relaxed and restful sleep. It also has antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it all the more potent (4).

9. Marjoram:

It is used to treat sleep problems, and also body, muscle and joint pains caused due to cold and arthritis.

10. Neroli:

It is a sweet and flowery aromatic oil and is used as an aphrodisiac, anti-depressant and a sedative for treating insomnia.

11. Mandarin:

It is effective in treating insomnia caused due to premenopausal syndrome mood swings and stress.

12. Rose:

Rose oil has a sweet floral fragrance and is known for its aphrodisiac and sedative effect.

13. Sandalwood:

Sandalwood is effective in treating insomnia, tension, anxiety and other health problems such as congestion and urinary tract infection. It particularly helps those suffering from bouts of depression (5).
These few aromatic oils can be used to treat insomnia. Each one of the oils has its own properties and creates a soothing effect. Hence, you must mix two or three essential aromatic oils together to derive the maximum benefits.

Safety Issues:

These oils are highly potent and can sometimes cause skin irritation if used directly on the skin in a concentrated form. Hence, you must mix them with a good carrier oil such as the olive oil for applying topically.

Some aromatic oils are harmful for pregnant and lactating women, and hence, they must consult their doctor before trying aromatherapy.

Always make sure that you purchase good quality, pure essential aromatic oils. Otherwise they may cause side effects, and you will never get the desired results from the therapy.

How has this post helped you? Do tell us by commenting in the box below.

The post Aromatherapy For Insomnia Or Sleeping Disorders appeared first on STYLECRAZE.

by Daiwik Suresh Gejji via STYLECRAZE