We all know the feeling – when you go to bed and sleep just won’t come. I have been plagued on and off over the years and have a few tips and hints that you may find helpful.
When sleep evades me I turn to my trusty essential oils for help. You can use them in a variety of ways or layer them up depending on your preference.
Essential oils:
Lavender is a floral oil, and I would argue that it should be in everyone’s essential oil first aid kit. Not only is it useful for helping us drift off to sleep but it can also help headaches, stress and tension and be used to treat bites, stings, sunburn etc. It is generally safe for children as well but avoid with babies under 6 months. Add to a base oil and use as a soothing massage, in a diffuser or add to a warm bath.
This is one of my favourite oils, it is herbal, relaxing and calming. It has a sedating effect and is useful for anxiety and if you are overworked or suffer with headaches and migraines. Blend into a base oil to use as part of your bedtime routine.
Clary Sage
This is a lovely oil but must be well diluted into a base oil, as it can be highly sedating. It has a herbaceous smell and is not to everyone’s tastes. It helps with stress and anxiety but should be avoided in pregnancy or if you have high blood pressure. Do not drink alcohol while using this oil.
Chamomile
Another floral oil but with a more herbaceous scent to it. Its calming, sedating, soothing and antispasmodic so if you are struggling to sleep because of menstrual or digestive issues then this oil could help you. Blending with lavender into a massage oil and applying before bed can help you drift off.
Ylang Ylang
This is a strongly scented, floral oil and a little goes a long way. This oil has a calming and sedating effect on the nervous system and can help with stress and tension. Mix 1 drop into a base oil or use in a warm bath to help you drift off to sleep.
How to use and essential oil safety
Essential oils should always be blended at a 2% dilution into a base oil and not applied directly to the skin. Many oils blend well together and can amplify the effect, but I don’t tend to use more than 3 oils in a blend. Try mixing them and see what you like best. Avoid mixing too many strongly scented oils together as it may give you a headache.
If you wish to use them in the bath you should mix with a water-soluble base as they will float on the surface of the water.
Never ingest oils.
If you are using them in a diffuser at night, use an electric non-candle-based diffuser to prevent any risk of fire related accidents.