The Dream Well

I recently read this great article by Anthony Zappia on the essential oils we can use to aid sleep and relaxation without the negative side effects of sleep medications.  This is especially useful for dream workers, as many pharmaceutical sleeping products anti-cholinergics which suppress REM sleep and can reduce dreaming and/or dream recall.

Anthony suggests essential oils that may be helpful including:

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica) – Cedarwood stimulates the pineal gland which releases melatonin. Can be diffused or applied topically. Best place to apply it is to the stem of the brain (where the neck joins the head).

Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia ) – Lavender is well known for its relaxing qualities. You can diffuse it in your bedroom, place a few drops on your pillow or rub it around your neck and forehead before bed.

Orange (citrus sinensis) – Orange is known for its uplifting qualities. If your sleep is troubled by anxiety or depression, this can be a useful essential oil in its own right or combined with other oils in a blend. You can diffuse it or take it internally.

Chamomile, Roman (Chamemelum nobile) – Chamomile has wonderful calming and relaxing properties and can help to reduce anxiety. You can diffuse it or rub two drops on the temples or back of the neck either prior to going to bed.

Sandalwood (Santalum album) – Sandalwood is high in sesquiterpenes, which means it’s able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and have an effect on the brain. It will help stimulate and oxygenate the pineal gland, which in turn will release natural melatonin, a hormone that plays a vital role in our sleep cycle. You can either diffuse this oil or apply it topically to the stem of brain (neck area) or over your forehead.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) – This is one of the most commonly used oils to improve sleep. Studies have found that it improves deep sleep, the speed at which people fall asleep the overall quality of sleep.
But note that for a certain percentage of the population it can act as a stimulant, i.e. keep you awake. You can apply this oil topically to the soles of the feet or wrists, or take it internally as a supplement. If the latter dilute one drop in 1 tsp of honey or in 120ml/4oz of beverage. You can also inhale it or diffuse it, but it’s not generally known for being a pleasant smell.

To read the full article, go here:

http://www.wellbeing.com.au/blog/better-sleep-essential-oils/

About Anthony Zappia
Anthony Zappia writes a regular blog at WellBeing about health and social issues, areas that he’s passionate about. Since coming across the research of D. Gary Young, he has become especially interested in essential oils and essential oil based products and their ability to enhance health and wellbeing. Anthony continues to follow the latest research and is himself a distributor of essential oils. For more information on using essential oils or obtaining them, you can contact Anthony through his website at http://www.essentialoilsforliving.com or on Facebook at Essential-Oils-for-Living-Anthony-Zappia