Sleep, Oh Sleep: Aromatherapy

Sometimes, all you need is an essential oil to help create a calming environment for sleep. Whether you are adding a few drops to your bath, rubbing it on your body in a carrier oil or adding a few drops to an aroma lamp, here are my top five favorite scents for insomnia.

Lavender. One of the more popular essential oils on the market, lavender was recommended by St. Hildegard of Bingen for “maintaining a pure character.” The scent is floral, soothing and pleasant. Lavender is a go-to scent for stress, fear, irritability, depression and anxiety because it is so calming and refreshing. It can also help headaches, burns and even stings. Because it stimulates white blood cell formation, it works well for colds as well.

Neroli Orange. Neroil is the oil from sweet orange blossoms. It is a very good scent for those who don’t care for the flowery scent of lavender. Although it is useful for similar conditions, neroli is particularly stabilizing for those who are tense, exhausted and anxious.

Sandalwood. This scent is often used in colognes and men’s deodorant because it is so warm and spicy. (Interestingly, light concentrations of adrosterone–the chemical released in men’s underarm sweat–smells similar to sandalwood). Yogis describe sandalwood as a center of insight and enlightenment, but it is also very grounding. Warm and woody, sandalwood is great for aggression, irritation and isolation caused by a busy and hectic lifestyle… or insomnia that shares those overtones.

Rose. This precious plant was first distilled by Arabian physician Avicenna during the Middle Ages, and was used during Renaissance times for stress relief. Although it’s often used as an aphrodisiac, rose is stabilizing for anxiety and grief and therefore a good sleep aid. Calming and balancing, rose is great for everything from mood swings to overcoming grief. Although the oil is quite expensive (with many artificial scents abounding), aromatherapy spritzes and rose oils are available. To learn more about this plant, Kiva Rose has an awesome monograph.

Chamomile. This calming scent is very good for children who wake up throughout the night, often due to nightmares, or for those of any age who sleep but not restfully. It is safe to use during pregnancy, provided that it is sourced properly (organic, 100% pure essential oil).  Sweet, fresh and gentle, chamomile is great for tension relief.