I often have trouble falling asleep.
Sometimes it gets so bad I end up having insomnia. Counting sheep is a ridiculous exercise – I ended up counting in the hundreds, lost count, then start over again. How infuriating! Reading non-fiction helps sometimes but then again I end up getting a headache from reading in bed. Not forgetting it makes my already myopic vision worse. Doing household chores is supposed to tire you out, right? Wrong! OCD that I sometimes can get, that can take all night because one thing always leads to another. Drinking warm milk just doesn’t work. Period. Red wine is quite effective but I ended up drinking more and more and was beginning to wonder if becoming an alcoholic was worth the while.
Then, I discovered aromatherapy.
There’s a certain ‘naturalness’ about the aroma of essential oils that makes them so appealing and assuring. They are also so potent that all it takes is a few drops and, immediately, you can feel its magic at work. Moreover, there’s a wide variety of essential oils to choose from that allows you to personalise your favourite blend but, most of all, they work fast. Many essential oils have been identified as calming capable of inducing sleep. I have compiled a list shown below from what I was able to glean from the Internet.
Essential Oils That Promote Sleep
- Anise
- Armoise
- Basil (sweet)
- Bay (West Indies)
- Benzoin
- Bergamot
- Caraway
- Cardamon
- Cedarwood
- Chamomile (Roman)
- Clary Sage
- Clove bud
- Cypress
- Dill
- Frankincense
- Geranium
- Ginger
- Ginger grass
- Ginger lily
- Helichrysum
- Hinoki
- Ho leaf
- Ho wood
- Hops flower
- Hyssop
- Jasmine
- Laurel leaf
- Lavender
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Mandarin
- Marjoram (sweet)
- May Chang
- Melissa
- Myrtle
- Orange (sweet)
- Patchouli
- Pine
- Ravensara
- Rose
- Sandalwood
- Tangerine (especially for children)
- Tansy
- Valerian root
- Vanilla
- Vetiver
- Yarrow
- Ylang Ylang
That’s already close to fifty essential oils to choose from! Some, like chamomile, lavender and sandalwood, are reputed for their calming and relaxing properties while others, such as bergamot and other citrus oils, may not strike you as being particularly sleep-inducing. The answer lies in the amounts used in a blend. Take lavender essential oil, for instance, at a lower dose it is an excellent oil to counter insomnia but, at a higher dose, it becomes a stimulant.
Essential oil blends for aromatherapy need not necessarily be complex. In fact, many single oils are able to do the job just fine. For instance, just 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow will take you to dreamland in no time. Alternatively, you may also add 1-2 drops of hops essential oil on a piece of tissue or handkerchief and place it on the underside of the pillow for a good night’s sleep. You could also diffuse the oils before going to bed or treat yourself to a relaxing aromatic bath while finishing it off with an after-bath body oil for that added luxury.
In any case, below are some blending suggestions to help you fall asleep.
Blend #1
- 14 drops Pine (Swiss Stone)
- 3 drops Hops
- 3 drops Clary Sage
This blend is gentle and subtle like the whisper of a lullaby. Ideal for those who prefer a mild aroma.
Blend #2
- 13 drops Bergamot
- 4 drops Ylang-Ylang
- 3 drops Vetiver
This aromatic blend is exotic and alluring like a night-scented stalk.
Blend #3
- 7 drops Lavender
- 1 drop Chamomile (Roman)
One of my favourites, this blend is very comforting and relaxing as it quickly cradles you to sleep.
Blend #4
- 2 drops Lavender
- 1 drop Marjoram (sweet)
A harbinger of pleasant dreams, you have to try it to believe it!
Blend #5
8 drops Tangerine
8 drops Frankincense
4 drops Geranium
This blend is light, fruity and floral. It is a happy aroma that puts you in a good mood that takes you to dreamland with a smile on your face.
Blend #6
- 12 drops Armoise
- 4 drops Tansy
- 4 drops Patchouli
This blend has an unusually appealing herbaceous, Oriental character.
Blend #7
- 11 drops Cypress
- 9 drops Ginger
- 5 drops Lemongrass
This blend has a fresh and green aroma that cleanses the mind and soul before sleeping.
Blend #8
- 15 drops Hinoki
- 8 drops Cardamon
- 2 drops Jasmine (Sambac)
An exotic, spicy-sweet floral blend that is like an oasis of wondrous dreams.
Blend #9
- 14 drops Orange (sweet)
- 2 drops Rose de Mai
- 2 drops Vanilla
An enchanting floral blend that inspires love and romance.
All the above blends can be used as is or as a reference for those of you feeling adventurous or prefer to create your own blends. As before, please feel free to share your thoughts or comments.
Happy blending!
No comments:
Post a Comment