Aromatherapy: A Cure for Insomnia

Eisha Sarkar

Posted on Hello Wellness on Oct 10 2010 12:45AM

Once the preserve of Eastern aristocrats, aromatherapy is now becoming increasingly popular worldwide as a complimentary cure for insomnia and nervous disorders.  

How does it work?
In aromatherapy, the essential oils are said to stimulate an area of the brain, known as the limbic system that controls mood and emotion. Though aromatherapy lacks solid scientific backing, many people find it helps ease tension, promote relaxation and aid in sleep.

So if you have spent the last few nights tossing and turning in bed trying to get some sleep, don't reach out for those sleeping pills. Instead, use these time-tested essential oils distilled from bark, flowers, berries, leaves or fruit to help you relax:
 

• Lavender: It calms the nervous system, relaxes the body and enables blissful sleep
• Chamomile: The sweet-fragrant oil helps those who suffer from insomnia. However, it can cause dermatitis in some people
• Rose: This non-toxic, non-irritant oil is useful for the treatment of insomnia, nervous tension, depression, headaches, painful periods, nausea, asthma, the loss of sex drive
• Jasmine: It is relaxing and soothing, anti-depressant, sedative, aphrodisiac, and expectorant
• Bergamot: Its lovely citrus scent will make you feel refreshed and give you a sense of well-being
• Sandalwood: Acalming agent, sandalwood relieves nervous tension and helps you relax

How do you use essential oils?

• Add a few drops of essential oil to warm water for a relaxing bath or footbath, or spritz the oil onto a small pillow. You can also apply a few drops to a diffuser near your bed to spread the scent through the room or use a specially made ring placed on the lightbulb where the heat of the bulb will diffuse the scent
• You may use a combination of scents e.g. Lavender, chamomile and bergamot in jojoba oil
• If you must use an essential oil for massage, dilute it with sunflower oil or sweet almond oil. Use 7 -10 drops of essential oil to 25ml of almond oil for adults, 3-5 drops for children under seven and 1-3 drops for children under three. Do not use essential oils on newborns
• Any oil can be used in the bath. Add 5-10 drops for adults, 3-5 drops for children over two, and only one drop of gentle oil such as chamomile or lavender for younger children

If perfumed beds, scented baths, aromatherapy massages and flowers are not exactly ‘your kind of thing’, just lighting a few scented candles will bring you relief.