How to Use Aromatherapy to Sleep Better
August 18, 2010 by Aroma Focus
Filed under aromatherapist
The use of aromatherapy to battle insomnia is a well known natural alternative to chemical sedatives. Most stress related conditions respond to aromatherapy including insomnia and just the inability to let the day go and relax. There are a few different ways to use aromatherapy to sleep better; this makes it easy for anyone to use aromatherapy in order to sleep better.
Skin ApplicationTo apply aromatherapy essential oils to the skin to sleep better, the essential oils can be diluted in sweet almond oil or added to a warm bath before bed.
IngestionA cup of hot chamomile tea will provide relaxation and calm before bed, both by the ingestion of the essential oil of chamomile and by the vapors that spread the scent of chamomile all around.
Scented PillowPlacing a few drops of a sleep and relaxation inducing oil on a handkerchief and tucking it inside a pillowcase provides aromatherapy benefits that will last throughout the night.
There are several essential oils that are used for relaxation and sleep. This means that a person can use a combination of oils to create the perfect aromatherapy solution to help them sleep better. • Benzoin has sedative properties, is warming and relaxing and is used for sleeplessness that is caused by worry, tension and emotional exhaustion. •
Chamomile calms the stomach and nerves when used in adults and children to treat insomnia and anxiety. • Jasmine is a relaxing and soothing scent that has antidepressant, sedative and aphrodisiac properties. • Lavender calms and soothes nerves, and relieves pain to allow for better sleep.•
Lemon Balm, also known as Melissa is used to relax and promote good sleep. • Rose relaxes and soothes, and is used to treat insomnia, tension, depression and headaches. • Sandalwood is a relaxant and antidepressant used to clear the mind and promote better sleep. • Sweet marjoram is sedative oil which will induce easy sleep.
Each essential oil listed above has other aromatherapy uses as well as being used to sleep better. Some are used to treat depression, menstrual cramps, loss of sex drive and even digestive problems. Aromatherapy is used all over the world to help promote better sleep through natural relaxation and sedatives.
Some essential oils can cause skin irritation and some are even toxic. Proper dilution is necessary to reap the benefits of aromatherapy using essential oils. It is not recommended to use any essential oils on children less than 2 years of age.
