Essential Oils and Aromatherapy for Insomnia
Lemon Balm, Hops, Lavender, Chamomile, Orange Blossom, and Valerian
Sep 19, 2009
Are you having trouble falling asleep or waking up to early? Insomnia can significantly disrupt our lives. The most frequent causes of insomnia are stress and depression. Most people will experience periods of insomnia at some point in their lives. It is important to resolve any stress or depression that could be causing insomnia, but you can also use aromatherapy and essential oils to help you get to sleep.There are many essential oils that have a reputation for being calming and relaxing. Of these oils, lemon balm, chamomile, hops, lavender, orange blossom, and valerian are 6 of the best for treating insomnia. The best method for applying the essential oils is through massage, bath, or diffuser.
Massage
Mix 1/4 teaspoon of essential oils with 3 tablespoons of carrier oil. Common carrier oils for massage are jojoba, and apricot kernel. However, these carrier oils are expensive. Olive oil is a suitable and economical replacement. Massage the oil onto the skin before bed and enjoy the relaxing aroma of your favorite essential oils. It is a good idea to place the oils somewhere on your upper body, or directly under your nose to ensure that you can smell them throughout the night.
Bath
A bath is a very relaxing way to help you apply essential oils and can often aid in sleeping. Simply, fill the bathtub with warm water and add 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Chamomile and lavender work very well for this method of application.
Diffuser
A diffuser disperses the scent of the oil throughout the room. Essential oil diffusers come in many shapes and sizes. You can find diffusers that plug into an electrical outlet and diffusers that heat the oil with a small candle. Diffusers will provide a strong aroma throughout the room. For a more subtle application of the essential oil, you can place the oils alone in a bowl, on a cotton cloth, on a tissue, in potpourri, or in a sleep pillow near the head of your bed. This will create a subtle aroma as you sleep because the oils are not heated.
Recipe for Combination of Essential Oils
It is fun to experiment with aromatherapy recipes to create a variety of aromas Try this recipe for treating insomnia. Combine 4 drops of orange blossom, 6 drops of chamomile, and 8 drops of lavender in a dark-colored glass bottle. Place a few drops of the essential oil recipe at the head of your bed.
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