Alternative and Integral Therapies

Aromatherapy

All stress-related conditions, including insomnia, respond well to aromatherapy.

How to use essential oils

For skin application the essential oil must be diluted in a vegetable carrier oil such as cold-pressed sunflower oil or sweet almond oil. Use 7 -10 drops of essential oil to 25ml (five teaspoons) of carrier oil for adults, 3-5 drops for children under seven and 1-3 drops for children under the age of three. Do not use essential oils on newborn babies.

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 a very gentle oil such as chamomile or lavender for younger children. 
Inhalation is also effective. Put one or two drops of a relaxing oil onto a handkerchief and tuck it inside your pillow to help you sleep.

A combination of essential oils may be used.

Essential Oils for Sleep

A relaxing bath with essential oils of Roman camomile and geranium will help a person to unwind before sleep. A glass of camomile tea will complete the process.

A relaxant effect may be provided by oils of camomile, lavender, neroli, rose, and marjoram. Add a few drops to your bathwater or sprinkle a few drops on a handkerchief and inhale.

The following essential oils may be useful for management of sleep.

Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)

Benzoin is sedative, warming, and relaxing.

It is useful for: Sleeplessness caused by worry, emotional exhaustion, tension, bronchitis, and coughs.

Caution: Some people may be sensitive to this oil.

German and Roman chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla and Chamaemele nobile)

Chamomile calms nerves and stomach, induces sleep, and is especially good for children. 

Useful for: Insomnia, anxiety.

Caution: Can cause dermatitis in some people.

Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis)

Jasmine is relaxing and soothing, antidepressant, sedative, aphrodisiac, and expectorant. It is non-toxic, and non-irritant.

Useful for: Insomnia, depression, apathy, nervous exhaustion, stress, catarrh, breathing difficulties.

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis)

Lavender is calming, soothing to nerves and digestion, anti-depressant, pain-relieving, and lowers blood pressure. It is non-toxic, and non-irritant.

Lavender is useful for: Insomnia, tension, depression, headache, catarrh, stomach cramps, shock, earache.

Melissa (Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis)

Melissa is relaxing and uplifting, lowers blood pressure, and helps digestion, menstruation, and nervous system.

Melissa is useful for: Insomnia, nervous tension, depression, high blood pressure, indigestion, coughs, colds, shock, anxiety.

Caution: Use small amounts only as skin irritation is possible.

Neroli (Citrus aurantium amara)

Neroli is very relaxing, non-toxic, and non-irritant.

It is useful for: Insomnia caused by anxiety, depression, irritability, panic, shock.

Rose (Rosa damascena)

Rose is relaxing and soothing. It is an aphrodisiac, nervous and digestive tonic, and helps menstruation. Rose is non-toxic, and non-irritant.

Rose is useful for the treatment of: Insomnia, nervous tension, depression, headaches, painful periods, nausea, asthma, Loss of sex drive.

Sandalwood (santalum album)

Sandalwood is relaxing, aphrodisiac and antidepressant, expectorant, calms digestion. It is non-toxic, and non-irritant.

Useful for: Insomnia, depression, nervous tension, catarrh, colic.

Sweet marjoram (Origanum marjarana)

Sweet marjoram is warming and comforting. It is sedative, aids digestion and nervous functions and is non-toxic and non-irritant.

Sweet marjoram is useful for the treatment of: Insomnia, anxiety, colds, catarrh, intestinal spasms, muscular and joint pain, headaches.

Ylang ylang (Cananga odorata genuine)

Ylang ylang is relaxing, aphrodisiac, antidepressant, tones the nervous system, and lowers blood pressure. It is non-toxic, and non-irritant.

Ylang ylang is useful for the treatment of: Insomnia, depression, stress, nervous tension, excitability.

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