Essential oils offer several health benefits. Often used in aromatherapy, they are an alternative form of medicine that use plant extracts to promote well-being. These oils have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, which makes them a recommended solution for improving skin conditions, encouraging healthy digestion, and treating the common cold.
They are also suggested for curing sleep deprivation as they help users relax and drift off to sleep. One can intake them through air diffusers or steam pots or directly massage them over the skin to improve rest quality. If you are interested to learn more about the best essential oils for sleep and relaxation, here is a list. Let’s have a look! Do check with a specialist if you need these and how to use them!
Getting adequate sleep is essential for ensuring your health and wellness. It allows you to relax, so your brain and body can function optimally. But if despite the availability of time and opportunity, you are struggling to sleep, maybe you should pay attention. It could be that due to reasons like stress or irregular work schedules, you have developed insomnia. One way you can treat this issue is by using essential oils which are good for sleep. Here are a few which can help:
Inhaling this essential oil is known to have several health benefits, like reducing skin inflammation, promoting hair growth, lowering anxiety, and encouraging a good night’s sleep. Experts believe its use can also help keep insomnia at bay since it brings down heart rate, temperature, and blood pressure. These effects are identical to the stages the human body undergoes before drifting off to sleep.
Most of us are aware of the soothing effects of chamomile. Its consumption is known to reduce inflammation, help with relaxation, and treat anxiety. All these outcomes also benefit sleep. To avail them, it is advised to diffuse chamomile oil in the air. While the direct effects of using this essential oil on the body temperature and rhythm are minimal, inhaling it through an air diffuser can instantly calm and relax your mind. For people who can’t sleep because of anxiety issues, using Roman chamomile oil featuring a fresh and apple-tinged fragrance is recommended.
Although this essential oil is not as powerful a sleep remedy as lavender oil, it has its benefits. Extracted from the tropical trees found in Asia, the ylang-ylang oil helps to manage blood pressure and heart rate. It gives off a pleasant and fruity smell that soothes and calms the mind. In this way, it aids in fighting insomnia and naturally prepares the body to drift off to sleep.
Bergamot oil is known to do wonders for insomnia patients. Many people ingest it in the form of juice or extracts for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Besides, this essential oil also reduces heart rate and blood pressure and improves mental health. These benefits make it ideal for being used as an essential oil for sleep humidifiers.
The sandalwood oil has a rich scent and promotes deep rest because of its mood-balancing property. The essential oil improves your emotional condition and helps in unwinding. This is why mixing a few drops of sandalwood when preparing sleep blends is recommended. It is a handy solution for fighting off insomnia and falling asleep.
This peppermint oil is recommended for patients who fail to drift off to sleep because of stress. It is one of the best essential oils for relaxation that features a delightful aroma that helps clear the head. Individuals who cannot sleep because of seasonal allergies or dust sensitivity are suggested its use since it can ease such symptoms efficiently. Diffusing it in the bedroom air can help relieve the nasal passages for falling asleep quickly.
Insomnia sufferers who find woodsy scents pleasing are suggested to try cedarwood oil. It induces a sedative effect because it contains a chemical compound called cedrol. One of the best solutions for being used in aromatherapy for sleep, this oil improves sleep quality in young, healthy adults and elders with dementia. Experts suggest inhaling cedarwood oil increases sleep time and reduces early morning awakenings.
Clary sage herb has been used for years to flavour food. Many people are also familiar with this plant because of its sleep-promoting properties. Its use as an essential oil offers an anti-depressant effect and minimises cortisol levels in the body. Since the hormone is linked with alertness and affects circadian rhythms, its reduced amount in the body promotes good-quality rest. Another way clary sage benefits sleep is by controlling anxiety. Inhaling the oil can lower stress by decreasing blood pressure and respiratory rate.
Besides using essential oils for sleep, here are a few other tips you should try that will help you wake up in the morning:
Sleep environment: People suffering from sleep problems should try creating a peaceful rest environment. For this, dim the lights, quiet the noises, and manage the room temperature.
Lifestyle changes: A few lifestyle changes, like reducing alcohol and caffeine consumption at night and quitting smoking, can help improve sleep quality.
Sleep aids: For resting better, insomnia patients are recommended to use sleep aids like silk eye mask or dodow. Combined with essential oils, these rest accessories can relax the body and promote good-quality rest.
The use of essential oils for promoting well-being and helping with a good night’s rest has been known for years. Most essential oils for sleep will help you by reducing stress and anxiety. Some induce effects that mirror the processes the body undergoes to fall asleep. So, people troubled by sleep problems are suggested to use aromatherapy and other tricks to relax and catch good-quality rest.
Disclaimer: The facts and information contained in this article are obtained from reputed medical research organisations. The solutions mentioned above are only suggestive remedies for treating sleep problems and should not be taken as medical advice. The readers are advised to refer to a specialist before using these oils and check the ingredients to prevent allergies.