This post contains affiliate links.
Trying a natural sleep aid can be hit or miss but many people worldwide swear by the sleep-inducing effects of lavender essential oil. However, you might wonder, WHEN is the best time to apply lavender essential oil for the fullest effect?
In general, the best time to apply lavender essential oil to fall asleep fast is 30 minutes before bedtime. If you forget or cannot achieve 30 minutes before bedtime, you can still apply it before bed with some good results in falling asleep faster.
It’s important to understand when and how to use lavender essential oil in a way that works for you. Let’s explore some things you can consider when developing a good bedtime routine that includes lavender essential oil.
How Lavender Essential Oil Improves Sleep
Lavender, scientifically known as Lavandula Angustifolia, is a fragrant perennial plant that belongs to the mint family.
It’s native to the Mediterranean region and has been used for centuries in traditional medicine due to its wide range of therapeutic properties.
However, one of its most notable applications lies in its ability to promote relaxation and induce a restful state, making it a popular choice for those struggling with sleep-related issues.
One of the primary ways lavender essential oil aids in improving sleep is through its sedative properties.
Research has shown that the fragrance of lavender has a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing anxiety and stress levels.
In fact, studies have demonstrated that inhaling lavender essential oil can increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter known for its mood-regulating and sleep-enhancing properties.
By encouraging the release of serotonin, lavender essential oil can help regulate sleep patterns, resulting in a more restful and uninterrupted night’s sleep
Lavender essential oils also can decrease heart rate and lower blood pressure.
This effect can be attributed to the chemical compounds found in lavender, such as linalool and linalyl acetate, which have been found to have anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) and sedative effects on the central nervous system.
By inhaling the aroma of lavender essential oil, these compounds interact with receptors in the brain, triggering a cascade of calming responses that ultimately promote sleep.
Lavender essential oil also possesses analgesic effects which can reduce the feeling of pain.
Choosing a Good Quality Essential Oil
Use caution when buying lavender-scented products or lavender essential oil.
Many products on the market that are marketed as “Lavender Fragrance or Scent” are artificially created and will not possess the same therapeutic qualities as a genuine 100% Lavender Essential Oil.
Don’t be duped by clever advertising either. The word “therapeutic grade” means nothing in the aromatherapy world.
Those words don’t mean it’s a bad product but, it doesn’t hold any significance as to the source or quality of the oil.
Also, look at the list of ingredients and make sure it’s not been diluted with mineral oil.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet on what to look for to ensure you’re buying a quality lavender essential oil.
- 100% Lavender Angustifolia
- GC-MS Tested for Purity
- Certified Organic (optional)
- Packaged in a dark amber or blue colored glass bottle
- Purchase from a reputable company
The good thing is it’s actually quite easy to buy good quality essential oils both in stores and online.
Remember the reason you’re looking to buy good quality lavender essential oil. It’s for the real therapeutic effects that nature has to give.
When to Use Lavender Essential Oil in Your Routine
When you decide to incorporate lavender oil into your bedtime routine should be individualized according to the person. But a good set point is anywhere in the 30 minutes prior to going to bed.
You could introduce lavender essential oil earlier in the evening and give yourself a “power shot” of lavender essential oil just before trying to fall asleep.
If you wish you can even use lavender essential oil throughout the day to help keep you calm and relaxed.
Consider using lavender in a blended formula if you plan on using lavender essential oil to help you sleep on a daily basis. It may help prevent developing an allergy.
How to Use Lavender Essential Oil for Sleep
Below are just a few ways you can incorporate lavender essential oil into your bedtime routine:
- Add a few drops of lavender oil to your bathwater
- Diffuse 3-5 drops of lavender essential oil in a diffuser with water
- Make a pillow spray with distilled water and a few drops of lavender essential oil. Just shake the bottle right before spraying
- Add lavender essential oil to body oil, lotion, or cream and massage into your skin before bedtime
- Light a lavender essential oil-infused candle
- Put a few drops on a cotton ball and lay near or under your pillow
- Inhale the vapors directly “neat” from the bottle of oil
Be sure to do a skin patch test prior to applying lavender essential oil to check for skin sensitivity.
DO NOT use lavender essential oil if you are allergic to any part of the lavender plant or mint. Lavender is in the mint family.
Good restful sleep is essential for our health and happiness. Unfortunately, many of us are just too stressed out to ease into enough restful sleep.
On top of that, we have become disconnected from nature in so many ways. We are missing out on the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touch that the abundant natural world has to offer.
Bringing essential oils into your daily routine can be a step forward to receiving all the good stuff nature has to offer.
Chronic stress can be a huge contributor to feelings of nausea too. If you are wondering if there’s an essential oil for that, I got you covered! Read this article next Where to Apply Peppermint Essential Oil for Nausea?
Lavender essential oil is like the “Swiss Army Knief” of essential oils. Having it on hand will be a nice addition to your medicine cabinet since it’s beneficial for many more uses other than insomnia.
This article was written by and is the intellectual property of www.galeanomassage.com. If this article appears anywhere else on the internet it was stolen from the copyright owner.
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The content in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a trained qualified physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Galeano Massage nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, or supplements or those diagnosed with a medical illness should consult their physicians before implementing any of the self-care advice in this article.
