As a stay at home mom/photographer with a husband who works our marketing business from home, we have so much time for fun! We go against the grain and pave our own path through life by setting our own definitions about what is normal! We unschool, set our own schedule, and use essential oils for cleaning and medical issues. We have chosen not to accept what others expect from us and instead, pave our own path as a family and as individuals. Having unschooled children leads you down a path of adventure! Follow us through crafting, experimenting, essential oils, knitting, drawing, recipes, parenting and marriage.
Against The Grain
Its been known for ever that spraying a lavender linen spray on your bed or giving your baby a lavender scented bath will help with sleep. But, does it really help with sleep?
I have soaked my sheets in this lavender linen spray and all I ever got out of it was a nice smell. I also always gave my babies baths with lavender scented soap and I can't say that my kids were the best sleepers....
What We Know Research shows that the scent of lavender eases anxiety and insomnia. In one study done at Britain's University of Southampton, researchers tracked the sleep patterns of 10 adults. For a week, half of the participants slept in a room where lavender essential oil was diffused in the air throughout the night; the rest snoozed in a similar room where a placebo--sweet almond oil--was released. After a week, the groups switched rooms. At the end of the study, the volunteers ranked the quality of their sleep 20% better on average when in the lavender-scented room.
What New Research Shows Psychologists at Wesleyan University asked 31 men and women to sniff lavender essential oil one night--and then distilled water the next--for four 2-minute periods just before bedtime. The researchers monitored their sleep cycles with brain scans. On the night they whiffed the herb, subjects slept more soundly; they also felt more energetic the next morning.
The researchers found that lavender increased slow-wave sleep, the very deep sleep in which the heartbeat slows and muscles relax. During this phase is when the brain organizes memory as well!
Not all products are created equally! The sprays I tried in the past had a wonderful lavender aroma with out a doubt. That lavender aroma had somewhat of a calming effect on me as different smells trigger different things. But, I never felt like I got better sleep...why? Most of these sprays are simply fragrant. The science behind why lavender helps you sleep has to do with the essential oil of the lavender plant and what happens to you when you inhale and absorb the oil from a lavender plant, not just simply smelling the scent.
Lavender Essential Oils Also Known As The Everything Oil
What to Use For the Best Sleep Results?
Young Livings Pure lavender essential oil. Sprinkle a few drops on a piece of tissue and tuck it under your pillow, or use a diffuser.
To purchase, click here and sign up a retail member or a wholesale member. If you sign up as a wholesale member (which gives you 24% off all purchases) and buy the premium starter kit, it comes with lavender and a diffuser!
If you sign up as a retail customer, search lavender once you're in!
Lavender is what us oilers call the "everything oil". Lavender is one of the most adaptive plants, therefor its oils is very adaptive! Lavender is a go to, must have!
Botanical Family: Lamiaceae
Plant Origin: Utah, Idaho, France
Extraction Method: Stem distilled from flowering on top
Key Constituents:
Linalyl Acetate
Linalol
Cis-Beta-Ocimene
Trans-Beta-Ocimene
Terpinen
Historical Data: The French scientist Rene Gattefosse was the first to discover lavender's ability to promote tissue regeneration and speed would healing when he severely burnt his arm in a laboratory explosion. Today, lavender is one of the few essential oils to still be listed in the British Pharmacopoeia.
Medical Properties: Antiseptic, antifungal, analgestic, antitumoral, anticonvulsant, vasodilating, relaxant, anit-inflammatory, reduces blood fat/cholesterol, combats excess sebum on skin
Uses: Respiratory infections, high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, menstrual problems/PMS, skin conditions (perineal repair, acne, eczema, psoriasis, scarring, stretch marks), burns, hairloss, insomnia, nervous tension
Fragrant Influence: Calming, relaxing and balancing, both physically and emotionally. Lavender has been documented to improve concentration and mental acuity. University of Miami researchers found that inhalation of lavender oils increased beta waves in the brain, suggesting heightened relaxation. It also reduced depression and improved cognitive performance (Diego MA, et al,. 1998). A 2001 Osaka Kyoiku University study found that lavender reducedc mental stress an increased alertness (Motomura, 2001).
Application:
Apply 2-4 drops on location
Apply on chakras and/or Vita Flex points
Inhale Directly
Diffuse
Take as a dietary supplement
[…] Shocking, right? Everyone knows lavender helps us sleep. The sad thing is a lot of people just use something lavender scented and all that does is calm us. Lavender Essential Oil is NOT the same as the bath and body works lavender spray! I actually wrote an article about lavender essential oil that you can read here! […]