Aromatherapy for Insomnia

Insomnia is the disturbance of a normal sleep pattern.Most adults have experienced insomnia or sleeplessness at one time or another in their lives. Insomnia can affect not only your energy level and mood, but also your health as well because sleep helps bolster your immune system. Fatigue, at any age, leads to diminished mental alertness and concentration.

Lack of sleep caused by insomnia is linked to accidents both on the road and on the job. Chronic insomnia is defined when you have problems falling asleep, maintaining sleep, or experience nonrestorative sleep that occurs on a regular or frequent basis, often for no apparent reason. Stress most commonly triggers short-term or acute insomnia.

If you do not address your insomnia, however, it may develop into chronic insomnia. Disturbances of the circadian rhythm, such as shift work and jet lag can cause an inability to sleep at some times. Medical conditions such as Hyperthyroidism also cause of insomnia. Everyday anxieties as well as severe anxiety disorders may keep your mind too alert to fall asleep.Mental Disorders such as clinical depression and bipolar disorder. Alcohol is associated with sleep disruption and creates a sense of nonrefreshed sleep in the morning.

Sleep apnoea - a disorder in which you have irregular breathing at night and are extremely sleepy during the day. Hormone shifts such as those that precede menstruation and those during menopause. Eating too much too late in the evening. Many people also experience heartburn, a backflow of acid and food from the stomach to the esophagus after eating.

In Insomnia medical or psychological help may be useful. Some medication such as benzodiazepines are tranquillisers and are designed to reduce anxiety and promote calmness, relaxation and sleep. Some antidepressants such as mirtazapine, trazodone and doxepin have a sedative effect, and are prescribed off label to treat insomnia. Melatonin has proved effective for some insomniacs in regulating the sleep/waking cycle. Some insomniacs use herbs such as valerian, chamomile, lavender, hops, and passion-flower. Using aromatherapy, including jasmine oil, lavender oil, Mahabhringaraj and other relaxing essential oils, may also help induce a state of restfulness.

Essential oils include Patchouli, Neroli, Marjoram, Camomile, Sandalwood and Ylang ylang are used in treating insomnia. Camomile is one of the most sedative oils and you could also try using it in a burner, and drinking camomile tea before you go to bed. Benzoin is warming, relaxing and sedative. It is very effective for emotional exhaustion, bronchitis, tension, coughs and insomnia.

Lavender is anti-depressant and it may sooth and calm to digestion and nerves. It is useful for lowers blood pressure and reducing pain. Neroli is non-toxic, non-irritant and relaxing. This essential oil is very effective for panic, irritability, shock and insomnia.

Sandalwood is antidepressant, relaxing and aphrodisiac. It is non-irritant and non-toxic. Sandalwood is very beneficial for depression, catarrh, nervous tension, colic and insomnia. German and Roman chamomile are very effective for children. It gives relax and reduce insomnia and excessive anxiety.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for skin care blog and hairstyles picture. She also writes articles for celebrity hairstyles.