Does a good night's sleep elude you? There are essential oils for that.

Rose and lavender are two of the best-known essential oils for inducing restorative sleep as they relax both mind and body.  Both also share analgesic properties and can be particularly helpful if pain keeps you awake. Put two drops of each into a warm bath and soak your way to a restful night. Enhance your soothing experience by adding 1/4 cup of Dead Sea minerals or epsom salts.

Aromatherapy treatment with lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) was associated with a decreased need for acetominophen to control discomfort in tonsillectomy patients during the first three days after surgery.(1)  Essential oil of Rose has a very rich and intoxicating aroma that is supportive during emotionally taxing situations.  Sixty patients in a Cardiac Care Unit participated in a trial to evaluate the effect of rose (Rosa damascene) aromatherapy.  The result was a significant improvement in sleep quality. (2) Another study involving postpartum women found that a diluted essential oil blend of Rose otto and Lavandula angustifolia improved anxiety and depression.(2)


(1)Evaluation of the effect of aromatherapy with lavender essential oil on post-tonsillectomy pain in pediatric patients: a randomized controlled trial. Soltani R, Soheilipour S, Hajhashemi V, Asghari G, Bagheri M, Molavi M. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2013 Sep;77(9):1579-81. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2013.07.014. Epub 2013 Aug 8.

(2)Effect of Rosa damascene aromatherapy on sleep quality in cardiac patients: a randomized controlled trial. 
Hajibagheri A, Babaii A, Adib-Hajbaghery M. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2014 Aug;20(3):159-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2014.05.001. Epub 2014 May 14.


(3)The effects of clinical aromatherapy for anxiety and depression in the high risk postpartum woman - a pilot study.Conrad P, Adams C.Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2012 Aug;18(3):164-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2012.05.002. Epub 2012 Jun 27.