Here’s a natural remedy that will improve your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.
From lavender to lemon, different essential oils provide a myriad of health benefits, including pain management, reduced stress and anxiety, and boosted immunity. Aromatherapy, sometimes referred to as essential oil therapy, is holistic healing treatment that uses natural plant extracts to improve physical and emotional health. Aromatherapy works through the sense of smell or skin absorption.
Essential oils can be used in an oil diffuser, infused in a pillow, or mixed with coconut oil and applied directly onto the skin. Essential oils are most often applied to the chest, wrist, or neck, but you can also rub the oil behind your ears, to the crown of your head, or on your temples. Essential oils may also be present in bathing salts, body creams, or face masks.
While each fragrance offers slightly different benefits, popular scents such as lavender, chamomile, and rose are known to improve our ability to sleep and relax. Below are some of the most popular essential oils that may contribute to a better night’s rest.
Lavender
One of the most popular essential oils, lavender promotes relaxation and the fragrance is widely used as a sleep aid. Several studies have shown lavender oil may help promote sleep and fight insomnia. The BlanQuil Essence Aromatherapy Pillow promotes a relaxing, rejuvenating sleep with comfortable memory foam infused with lavender essential oil.
Jasmine
Known for its calming properties, jasmine essential oils help to soothe tension and promote relaxation. The use of jasmine, whether it’s inhaled or absorbed through the skin, can improve sleep quality and reduce restlessness and tossing and turning. The use of jasmine has also been linked to lowered levels of anxiety.
Geranium
The sweet aroma of geranium creates a calming effect that may enhance sleep, relieve stress, and improve moods.
Lemon
While not directly linked to sleep, the fresh and citrusy scent of lemon can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Lemon, which can be ingested with water or used in aromatherapy, can help lower blood pressure, relieve pain, and calm allergies—all of which contribute to a better night’s rest.
Chamomile
Chamomile is known as a sleep inducer. Just as chamomile tea is used as a natural remedy to reduce anxiety and treat insomnia, inhaling chamomile oil has similar effects. Whether in an essential aroma diffuser or infused in the BlanQuil Essence Aromatherapy Pillow, chamomile oil can help relieve stress and anxiety while improving sleep.
Rose
The flowery scent of rose can help to treat feelings of depression and grief, as well as physical sensations of pain and tension within the body. Whether used in an oil diffuser or dabbed lightly on the chest or neck, rose essential oils help to relax the body in preparation for a better night’s sleep.
Sandalwood
The earthy, woody scent of sandalwood is known to promote relaxation and improve psychological and emotional well-being. Use a drop of sandalwood oil on your pillow at night to eliminate headaches and reduce restless sleep.
Bergamot
Bergamot oil, a citrus-like fragrance with a spicy-floral touch, has been known to lower blood pressure and cortisol levels to reduce stress and promote better sleep.
Vanilla
The rich smell of vanilla is said to increase feel-good hormones and improve moods. The fragrance can also help to reduce inflammation, promote respiratory health, and relieve tension—both physically and emotionally. A calmer, happier mind makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.