About fifty percent of Westerners suffer from diverse sleep disorders:
Insomnia, respiratory failure, short sleep cycles, nightmares, respiration, narcolepsy, and sleep deprivation.
In this post, we’ll elaborate on what causes sleep disorders and the best essential oils for sleep and relaxation.
Sleep is Essential to Our Physiological, Mental, and Cognitive Functions.
Sleep is one of the most important mechanisms for our development and the functioning of our body systems.
An evolutionary mechanism preserved in most animals, wingers, and humans.
Sleep has a five-stage structure, each one of these stages is necessary and essential to our physiological, mental, and cognitive functions.
Both our body and brain need regular sleep,
while bed rest or drowsiness is not a substitute for restful sleep.
What Causes Sleep Disorders?
Sleep disorders are caused by various reasons,
They can be caused by external factors or side effects on physiological and mental illness,
and problems with the sleep mechanism itself.
Insomnia, for instance, impairs daily functioning.
Among the most common complaints of people suffering from insomnia are:
- Fatigue, poor overall feeling, sleepiness.
- Impairment of social functioning.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Poor mood, impaired motivation.
- A tendency to mistakes and accidents.
- Stress and anxiety, headaches, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Essential Oils: The Natural Solution for Sleep and Relaxation
So what are the best essential oils that will help you get a good night’s sleep and relaxation?
Lavender
The most important and well-known oil for treating sleep disorders is Lavender.
Lavender essential oil strengthens the nervous system, cools,
gives a sense of calm, and sleep aid.
Lavender also extends sleep time, relieves mental restlessness,
produces sleepiness before entering the bed, and reduces anxiety.
Valerian
Probably you’ve heard this name before since Valerian’s water-based infusion is very common for treating insomnia.
its scent is gentle and pleasant.
The main active ingredient is Valerenic acid,
which has a sedative effect that soothes the nervous system.
By doing so, the Valerian that helps with sleep disorders that result from irritability, anxiety, and restlessness.
Valerian also lowers high blood pressure which helps with sleep disorders,
that are caused due to high blood pressure.
Benzoin Siam
Benzoin is a resin extracted from the bark of the Styrax Benzoin tree.
It relaxes the body and the respiratory system and by that, helps with anxiety, tension, and stress.
Benzoin is also highly effective for those who can’t sleep as a result of anxiety, stressful day, troubled thoughts,
or any other External worries.
For all these cases and more, benzoin gives a sense of wrapping, holding, and embracing that brings inner peace.
Roman Chamomile
Chamomile “tea” is one of the most famous teas for helping with insomnia,
it relieves pain especially linked with a stomachache.
It also has a sweet and calming scent which helps with sleeping problems, calming down, lowering the heart rate, and overthinking.
Chamomile has a sedative effect that soothes the nervous system,
and by that helps with sleep disorders that result from irritability, anxiety, and restlessness.
Despite his strong effect in so many ways, it is very gentle and is suitable for children.
Cedar
The essential oil is extracted from the bark of the tree.
Cedar has a deep woody aroma, It has a sedative effect and is very relaxing.
Also, it soothes the body and mind,
strengthens and improves self-confidence, and release stress and anxiety.
Cedar has an effect on the pineal gland in the limbic system in the brain,
Which is responsible for producing and regulating the sleep hormone Melatonin.
Frankincense
Also known as Boswellia.
Used for thousands of years as perfume, incense, and purity in various cultures.
The part that is extracted for the essential oil is the resin of the tree.
Frankincense has a lemon scent,
which is good for relaxing, relieving anxiety and calming.
It opens the airway and by that helping to reduce stress.
It also clears the mind and thoughts and therefore improves the sleep quality,
which is affected by troubled thoughts.
Methods of Using Essential Oils for Sleep and Relaxation
So now that we are familiar with part of the essential oils we can use for sleep and relaxation,
here are a few methods you can use them :
Add a few drops of the essential oils to a carrier oil,
like cold-pressed Sweet Almond oil, for instance, and add to :
- Hot water bath (not too hot so it wouldn’t anergize and cause the opposite effect) before entering.
- Burner or diffuser.
- Apply the oil and massage the body for maximum relaxation
- Add a few drops on the pillow.
Have a great day and a good night sleep 🙂
