Lack of sleep is a problem for millions of Americans. Feeling tired is only one of its difficulties. Sleep deprivation can eventually lead to chronic agitation, depression, dizziness, and headaches. Once you begin to get a good night’s sleep, it’s possible that most of these will clear up. For general soothing and relaxation, try jasmine or marjoram. For insomnia due to mental agitation or overwork, try clary sage or rose.

One of the most relaxing treatments for children -- or anyone -- before bed is a warm lavender and chamomile essential oil bath. For complete relaxation, follow the bath with an aromatherapy massage. Even a simple back or foot rub often does the trick.

You can also send children off to dreamland with a “dilly pillow.” This is a small herb-filled pillow of lavender, hops, melissa, chamomile, and dill. European children used to regularly sleep with these pillows, while adults often slept on pillows stuffed simply with dried hops. Unlike most herbs, hops actually gets better with age, since exposure to air increases its sedative effects. So you don’t have to worry about it losing potency if you keep it in a pillowcase!

Essential oils for insomnia: bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, rose, sandalwood, ylang ylang

Aromatherapy Insomnia Treatments
Try out this treatment for insomnia and count your last sheep.

ZZZZ Formula

  • 15 drops bergamot oil
  • 10 drops lavender oil
  • 10 drops sandalwood oil
  • 3 drops frankincense (expensive, so optional)
  • 2 drops ylang ylang oil
  • 4 ounces vegetable oil
Combine the ingredients and use as a massage oil, or put 2 teaspoons in your bath. Feeling extravagant? Then add 2 drops of your choice of an expensive essential oil such as jasmine or rose. Without the vegetable oil, this recipe is suitable for use in an aromatherapy diffuser, simmering pan of water, or potpourri cooker. Treat yourself every night before bed as a surefire way to drift sweetly off to the Land of Nod.

To learn more about Aromatherapy and other alternative medicines, see:
  • Aromatherapy: Here you will learn about aromatherapy, how it works, what part essential oils play, and how to use aromatherapy.
  • Essential Oils Profiles: We have collected profiles of dozens of plants that are used to produce essential oils. On these pages, you will learn the properties and preparations for the most popular essential oils.
  • How to Treat Common Conditions With Aromatherapy: Aromatherapy can be used to treat a number of conditions, from asthma to depression to skin problems. Here you will learn how to treat some common medical problems with aromatherapy.
  • Home Remedies: We have gathered over a hundred safe, time-tested home remedies for treating a wide variety of medical complaints yourself.
  • Herbal Remedies: Herbal remedies and aromatherapy can be very similar, and they stem from similar historic roots. On this page, you will find all of our herb profiles and instructions for treating medical problems with herbal remedies.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathi Keville is director of the American Herb Association and editor of the American Herb Association Quarterly newsletter. A writer, photographer, consultant, and teacher specializing in aromatherapy and herbs for over 25 years, she has written several books, including Aromatherapy: The Complete Guide to the Healing Art and Pocket Guide to Aromatherapy, and has written over 150 articles for such magazines as New Age Journal, The Herb Companion, and New Herbal Remedies.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.