Aromatherapy and insomnia

We make a cup of tea, read a book, get onto Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, whatever we can to take our minds off the worry, stress, tension of the day. Then we begin to feel very heavy and agitated, put off the light, get comfortable. Nothing. Feeling like lead, we hear the birds starting to sing, the sun rises, the alarm clock buzzes and another day is upon us. For the insomniac, almost every day begins like that.

What causes insomnia?

There are many different reasons for insomnia. Some relatively simple reasons like a sedentary lifestyle, unsuitable diet, stimulating drinks, an uncomfortable bed or some physical discomfort may cause many sleepless nights. Small changes may often remedy the situation.

However, in today’s modern lifestyles insomnia is increasingly caused by worry, anxiety, tension, stress and fear. Depression and dementia may also be factors contributing to sleepless nights.

Missed sleep can affect concentration and efficiency and bring on irritability, nervousness, sleepiness, tiredness, exhaustion, aches and pains, excessive thirst and even hysteria. Often women become insomniac after their sleeping patterns have been affected by babies and worry about the children.

What can help for insomnia?

Aromatherapy can be of great value to the insomniac. Warm aromatic baths, relaxation exercises, meditation, homeopathic remedies and diffusion of essential oils may all help to get a better night’s sleep. Warm malt drinks may help, as will magnesium added to the diet. Valerian may be used in tablet form or as a pure essential oil added to an evening massage oil blend.

A massage with deeply relaxing essential oils often helps to calm and relax both body and mind. Where insomnia has persisted for a long time, a course of massage treatments is very helpful. The benefits are cumulative and after several sessions one can feel significant reductions in stress and tension.

The essential oils that help in cases of insomnia are lavender, mandarin, linden blossom, clary sage, marjoram, valerian, hops, vetiver, chamomile roman, lemon, frankincense and sandalwood.

Dilute the following blends into 30 ml of carrier oil such as grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil, or make a synergistic blend of these oils and use 10 drops of the blend in your warm evening bath.

Insomnia where nightmares wake you

• • 15 drops of lavender

• • 5 drops of chamomile roman

• • 10 drops of mandarin

Insomnia where noise wakes you

• • 10 drops of lavender

• • 15 drops of lemon

• • 5 drops of vetiver

Insomnia due to restlessness

• • 10 drops of vetiver

• • 10 drops of clary sage

• • 10 drops of lemon

Insomnia due to anxiety

• • 10 drops of chamomile roman

• • 15 drops of sandalwood

• • 5 drops of lemon

Insomnia due to exhaustion

• • 5 drops of valerian

• • 10 drops of lemon

• • 1o drops of mandarin

Remember to consult a qualified aromatherapist if you have any questions concerning the use of essential oils.

 

Sources
Davis, P. Aromatherapy A – Z.
Worwood, V.A. The Fragrant Mind
Lawless, J. Aromatherapy and the Mind