A number of studies have proven the efficacy of aromatherapy to help you sleep better. Even though lavender is currently the most popular, in fact there are other essential oil options that can help with your sleep problems.
Table of Content
1. Is aromatherapy effective for sleep?
2. Aromatherapy options for better sleep
Good quality sleep is an important investment for health. Aromatherapy, which is now popular, is believed to be useful for overcoming sleeplessness and making sleep more sound. Is that right? Check out the explanation here. 6 Choices of Natural Sleep Medicines to Overcome Difficulty Sleeping
Is aromatherapy effective for sleep?
Aromatherapy is the use of aroma-producing oils from plants ( essential oils ) for therapy, be it a particular disease or health condition. According To Demystifying Medicine McMaster
Aroma-producing oils, or essential oils ( essential oils ) are compounds extracted from plants, whether flowers, leaves, stems, wood, bark, to plant roots. Its use can be applied to the skin, sprayed into the air, or inhaled through a diffuser or burning candles.
In addition to being useful for medical therapy, aromatherapy is also touted to be useful for helping sleep problems, such as insomnia.
The fragrances in aromatherapy produced by essential oils are believed to stimulate the nerves in the nose and send signals to the brain controlling memory and emotions. This process can then provide a calming effect.
As reported by the journal Reviews in Neurosciences, inhaling the aroma of essential oils can stimulate the limbic system. The limbic system is the part of the brain that plays a role in emotion, behavior, the sense of smell, sex drive, and long-term memory. The limbic system consists of the septum, hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala.
The limbic system also plays a role in controlling the body’s physiological functions, such as breathing, heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure. This is what makes some people believe that aromatherapy is beneficial for the health of the body.
Some essential oils have a calming aroma that is believed to be efficacious to help you sleep better.
A number of studies, including one in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, show that inhaling essential oils from aromatherapy can be a safe alternative for treating mild to moderate sleep disturbances.
Aromatherapy options for better sleep
There are various types of essential oils that can make you sleep better, including: 10 Types of Flowers That Can Be Consumed, How Does It Feel?
1. Chamomile
The use of chamomile extract in essential oils has been shown to improve sleep quality.
A study conducted on elderly people who had trouble sleeping showed that chamomile extract was known to improve their sleep quality after two weeks of use.
Not only for sleeping, chamomile aromatherapy can also reduce anxiety and stress. Apart from essential oils, you can also use this flower in the form of chamomile tea.
2. Lavender
Lavender is an aromatic plant that is often used in aromatherapy. Research conducted on a number of pregnant women who had just given birth showed that the scent of lavender was able to improve the quality of their sleep.
This shows the potential for using lavender essential oil to help you sleep better and reduce insomnia.
3. Valerian
Valerian root has long been used as an ingredient in sleeping supplements and herbal teas. Valerian root is believed to make you sleep faster and improve sleep quality.7 Most Popular Herbal Remedies in the World!
Valerian root works as a sedative for the brain and nervous system. That way, not only dealing with sleep disorders, valerian root can also overcome stress and anxiety. 7 Popular Herbal Teas & Good For Health! Most People Like to Drink No. 4
4. Bergamot
Bergamot is a citrus-like plant that is often used in holistic medicine. Bergamot essential oil is known to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
This seems to give a signal to your system that it is time for your body to rest.
The refreshing and calming effect of bergamot can also help you feel more relaxed and calm.
5. Passion flower
Passionflower is an extract from the leaves, flowers, and stems of the passiflora plant.
Not inferior to valerian root, passionflower extract can also reduce insomnia and improve sleep quality. Apart from essential oils, passionflower extract can also be enjoyed in the form of herbal teas.
6. Lemon balm
Lemon balm leaf is a type of mint plant that is often used in aromatherapy and herbal teas.
With an aromatic citrus scent, lemon balm extract can reduce stress and help you sleep better.