This post is part of a series on sleep based on a Face & Body Southeast Spa Expo and Conference presentation given by Trish Greene of Balnea Spa Products.
Read the previous posts in this series:
Sleep Better Series – What’s the Big Deal?
Sleep Better Series – The Basics
Sleep Better Series – The Effect of Light on Sleep
Sleep Better Series – Eat Right to Sleep Right
Trish talked about several different supplements and essential oils that you could use to help you sleep better.
Below are some Natural Remedies that Trish recommended in class.
Passionflower
Passionflower is a naturally grown medicinal herb and used as a mild herbal sedative. Approved all over the world for the treatment of insomnia and nervousness. Anxiety is the underlying cause. Also safe during the day. According to Trish the recommended dosage is 4,000 to 8,000 milligrams of dried passionflower capsules or follow the recommended dosage on your bottle.
Valerian Root
Valerian Root is another naturally grown herb that helps people fall asleep faster without the ‘hangover’ affect of some sleeping pills. Valerian binds to the same receptors in the brain that tranquilizers such as diazepam bind to. Take two capsules of Valerian root an hour before bed or read the recommended dosage on your bottle.
Lavender
Lavender has a reputation as a mild tranquilizer. Simply dab a bit of the oil (infused in a carrier oil, not neat) onto your temples and forehead before you hit the pillow. The aroma should help send you off to sleep.
Jasmine
Put a drop of jasmine essential oil (that is in a carrier oil, not neat) on each wrist or apply neat on a tissue that can be placed some where near you or in your pillow case just before you go to bed. In studies conducted at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia, researchers discovered that people who spent the night in jasmine-scented rooms slept more peacefully than people who stayed in unscented or even lavender-scented rooms.
A Warm Bath
Try a soothing aromatic bath before bedtime. Add 5 drops lavender oil and 3 drops ylang-ylang oil as well as some type of medium like milk or bath salts, to warm bathwater and enjoy a nice soak.
A Sleepy Blend of Essential Oil
Trish carries a line called Eve Taylor. I purchased several blends of theirs to try. I have been using their Sleep Well blend in my diffuser in my bedroom. It contains the following essential oils:
- Cedarwood
- Sweet Orange
- Lavender
- Valerian Root
It is meant to create a calm, comfortable stillness. Soothes the body and mind into a deep peaceful slumber. I have really been enjoying this. It is a very potent blend so it takes 1 no more than 2 drops in my small Allay diffuser (I carry these at the shop).
So that’s the conclusion (for now) of our sleep series. Have you tried any of the suggestions in these posts? What has worked for you? Please comment and let me know!
This information was given by Trish Greene of Balnea Spa Products. She is a Board Certified Aromatherapist, Dr of Homeopathy and a Cidesco trained Esthetician. She practices in Canada and has been an Eve Taylor rep for 25 years.
All the crazy legalize stuff I need to say. Consult your physician before taking anything suggested in this informational piece. I am not a Doctor, I am simply sharing the interesting information that I learned at a recent class. Do anything at your own risk, use common sense, and try to get some healthy sleep. No one is responsible for the choices you make except for yourself. None of us are responsible for anything you choose to do on your own accord.
