Essential Oils for Sleep and Relaxation

We are exploring essential oils for sleep and relaxation. In Part 1, we spoke on essential oils qualities to aid sleep. These oils are an alternative to prescribed medicine or over the counter sleep aids. The previous post described these oils: Lavender, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, Ylang-Ylang, and Bergamot. Now, we will discover more essential oils to consider: Sandalwood, Sweet Marjoram, Cedarwood, Valerian Root, and Clery Sage.

As a reminder, essential oils have been used as remedies for sleep for centuries. You can use the oils in several ways. Use them through diffusion or indirect inhalation. Try a couple of drops in the palm of your hands, rub your hands together, cup around your nose and inhale. Rub a couple of drops on the bottom of your feet, shoulders, or stomach. Mix 3-5 drops in your bath water. Also, research recipes of blends to relieve sleeplessness or to help you to relax. 

Sandalwood

Sandalwood Essential Oil is extracted from mature sandalwood trees. There are three varieties: Indian Sandalwood ( Santalum Album), Hawaiian Sandalwood (Santalum Ellipticum and Australian Sandalwood (Santalum Spicatum). Indian Sandalwood is the most expensive and rare. Hawaiian Sandalwood is also costly. The Australian Sandalwood is common, but experts say it is not as beneficial. However, the health benefits of Sandalwood Essential Oil includes sedative, hypotensive, memory booster and more.

Insomnia causes many health risks including high blood pressure, fuzzy brain, anxiety, and restlessness. Sandalwood Essential Oil with milk to aids in reducing blood pressure. This oil can help to improve your memory and can stimulate greater concentration. Sandalwood keeps your brain calm, relaxed and less stressed. It is a natural sedative, but producers recommend that you not use this oil raw on your skin. You should mix it with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Sandalwood Essential Oil is excellent for aromatherapy. It blends well with Bergamot, Lavender, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang and more.

Marjoram

Marjoram is extracted from fresh and dried leaves of the marjoram plant (Origanum Marjorana).  As a sedative and nervine, it is useful in fighting insomnia and has a calming and sedating quality. Marjoram Essential Oil helps to lower high blood pressure and relieves nervousness and anxiety. It calms your mind and body. A calm mind and body can sleep. That is what you ultimately want, a good restful night of sleep.

This essential oil does not have a major risk. Always use based on the producer’s recommendation.Marjoram Essential Oil blends with Bergamot, Cedarwood, Chamomile, Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus Oil.

Cedarwood

Cedarwood (Juniperus Virginiana) Essential Oil is extracted from the Cedarwood tree. It is also known as Cedar Essential Oil, and it has many medicinal qualities. If you are suffering from insomnia, this essential oil is for you. Cedarwood oil is a nice sedative. It has a calming effect on your mind, relieves anxiety and helps you to have an uninterrupted sleep. Be careful, because Cedarwood oil is very potent. Do not ingest this oil. Also do not use in high concentration, because it may cause skin irritations.

Cedarwood oil is wonderful for aromatherapy. If you’d like to do a blend, try this essential oil with Bergamot, Cinnamon, Frankincense, Juniper, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, and Neroli.

Essential oils aid in sleep and relaxation.

Valerian

Valerian Essential Oil (Valeriana officialis) comes from the Valerian flower. You may have tried Valerian tea in the past. The essential oil has many healing qualities, and some call it a miracle plant. Valerian is for treating insomnia and improves sleep quality. It is a plant that has been used and studied for centuries. You can use this oil to enhance your mood and reduce stress and anxiety.

Valerian essential oil is potent, so use it wisely.  If you consume large quantities, you could experience cramps, dizziness or possibly an allergic reaction.

Clary Sage

Clary Sage Essential Oil (Salvia Sclarea) is distilled from the leaves of the Clary Sage plant. You think it is like the sage that grows in your garden. They are related but not the same thing. Also, in some circles, it is called the Muscatel Oil. Clary Sage oil is mostly used for vision care, but it has other important medicinal qualities.  Clary Sage oil can improve self-esteem, confidence and fight depression. Also, it is a euphoric, nervine, sedative and hypotensive. Therefore, its use is to treat depression, nervousness, sleeplessness, and lower blood pressure.  If you need to calm down, concentrate and get some sleep, consider this oil. Clary Sage has even been used to fight drug addiction.

When using Clary Sage essential oil, be careful not to consume alcohol or narcotic drugs, because essential oil could possibly increase the intoxicating effects. Lastly, Clary Sage Oil blends with citrus fruits, Juniper, Sandalwood, Lavender, and Pine.

Conclusion

Choose the best essential oil for insomnia by sampling from the list above.  You can inhale the essential oils or apply to the skin. Follow the recommendations of the producer before applying to the skin. Some essential oils are very potent, and you need to add a carrier oil. Examples of carrier oils are almond, coconut, grapeseed or olive. Also, you can create blends to increase the medicinal benefits that may fight your insomnia. Then, you can create your recipes or conduct your research to find additional resources about essential oils. Furthermore, through trial and error, you will find what is most useful for your body.

Finally, the most important thing is that you get to the point where you can enjoy an excellent uninterrupted night of sleep. So, you can do this with essential oils and aromatherapy. It is an alternative medicine that is natural and has been in existence for centuries. However, it is complex and be sure to consult trained aromatherapists for guidance when blending essential oils and creating recipes.

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