Lavender and Insomnia

Lavender is probably the essential oil that most people either know or have heard about. It is a wonderfully calming and balancing oil and has traditionally been used for many different conditions both physical and emotional. One of the most discussed properties of Lavender is it's helpfulness in calming anxieties and promoting sleep. It appears to be effective no matter what the age as this sampling of studies shows:

Early Hum Dev. 2008 Jun;84(6):399-401. Epub 2007 Nov 28.
Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants.Tiffany Field, Tory Field, Christy Cullen, Shay Largie, Miguel Diego, Saul Schanberg, Cynthia Kuhn. Touch Research Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33101, USA
Very young infants were given a bath with or without lavender-scented bath oil. The mothers in the lavender bath oil group were more relaxed, smiled and touched their infants more during the bath. Their infants looked at them a greater percentage of the bath time and cried less and spent more time in deep sleep after bath. The cortisol levels of this group of mothers and infants significantly decreased, confirming the behavioral data showing increased relaxation of the mothers and their infants. These findings support a body of research showing the relaxing and sleep-inducing properties of lavender aroma.

Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006 Feb;36(1):136-43.
Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students. [Article in Korean] Lee, IS, Lee GJ.Department of Nursing, Keukdong College, Chungcheongbuk-Do, Korea. ilee001@kdc.ac.kr
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of the lavender fragrance on sleep and depression in women college students.
METHOD: Forty-two women college students who complained of insomnia were studied during a four-week protocol(control treatment week, 60% lavender fragrance treatment week, washout week, 100% lavender fragrance treatment week). All subjects were in the department of nursing in "K" college and the study was a single blind repeated measurements experiment. For the duration of the study, weekly evaluations of sleep, patterns of sleep disturbance, severity of insomnia scale, self satisfaction with sleep, and severity of depression were performed.
RESULT: Among sleep variables, length of time taken to fall asleep, severity of insomnia, and self satisfaction with sleep were improved for the 60%(p=.000, p=.000, p=.000) and 100%(p=.000, p=.000, p=.000) week while the severity of depression was improved only for the 100%(p=.002) week.
CONCLUSION:According to the study results, it can be concluded that the lavender fragrance had a beneficial effect on insomnia and depression in women college students. Repeated studies are needed to confirm effective proportions of lavender oil and carrier oil for insomnia and depression.

The Aromatherapy Database - Bob Harris

Replacement of drug treatment for insomnia by ambient odor. Hardy M, Kirk-Smith MD, Stretch DD, 1995, Lancet 346:701
This small study investigated whether hypnotic drugs used to relieve insomnia in psychogeriatric patients could be replaced by lavender essential oil.  Four patients took part in the trial; one had no previous medication whilst the other three had been prescribed temazepam, promazine hydrochloride or chlormethiazole for between seven months to three years. Hours of sleep were measured for two weeks after which medication was withdrawn.; After two weeks, ambient lavender odor was introduced into the ward via a diffuser for a period of two weeks. Sleep times of all three periods were compared, and it was found that the time was significantly reduced by the withdrawal of medication. using lavender, the sleep times for all patients returned to the same level as that under medication. Patients were also reported to be less restless. The botanical source of the lavender essential oil was not stated.

I have blogged about Lavender, as well as Lavender and Insomnia before but these are different studies.

Always available:

• The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
• Aromatherapy Caddy Chemistry Home Study Course
• E-Books and DVD
  • Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
  • Infant Massage
  • Subtle Aromatherapy
  • Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac
  • The Hawkins Protocol Book
  • Aroma Massage DVD

September, Nutmeg and New Beginnings

Once again Summer Holidays have come to an end for many with the new school year starting up in September.  While we are still enjoying some lovely weather, many minds are turning to what the 'new year' will bring.  If any of you are thinking about more formal training in the use of essential oils, our home study courses could be just what you are looking for.

Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow. Anthony J. D'Angelo

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Henry Ford

In their book Daily Aromatherapy, Transforming the Seasons of Your Life with Essential Oils, Joni Kein and Ruah Bull say that Nutmeg is the best essential oil for new beginnings. They say that Nutmeg:

Provides support for new beginnings, especially for creative endeavors.  Diminishes perceived limitations, Encourages a sense of freedom.  Promotes visions.

They suggest that one could sit quietly and slowly inhale the aroma of Nutmeg with slow relaxed breaths. Then pause and ask oneself some important questions and jot down your answers and reflections on a piece of paper:

What does "new beginnings" mean to me? What new beginnings are occurring in my life now? Am I open to new beginnings? What would I like to begin anew? How do new beginnings benefit me?

Inhale the aroma of Nutmeg again and intend that you are breathing in the ability to begin anew.  Review your answers to the above questions, reflect and add any additional thoughts that come to you.  Nutmeg helps to both support any  new beginnings and to understand their dynamics in your life.

In Spiritual PhytoEssencing,Nutmeg can be used for those who have suffered a great shock or emotional loss. Certainly a time for new beginnings.

Other oils that can be helpful with new beginnings include:

• Lavender - Balances and brings harmony and from this place one is able to move forward and accept necessary change as it appears.
• Ylang Ylang - Promotes feelings of calm and peace.  It dispels anger and fear which often accompany forced change.

If you enjoy using crystals in his book The Crystal Healer, Philip Permutt suggests the following:

Citrine - Good for decision-making, learning, studying, problem-solving and new beginnings.
Tourmaline - Helps one face new challenges giving one feelings of strength and courage.
Amethyst - helpful for changes and decision making. It enhances problem solving
Fluorite - Good for decisions.

Reiki Workshops

Reiki Level I  Sept 17 and Nov 20.

One day 9 am - 5 pm. 1 hour lunch break.

Cost $170.00 + HST includes

William Rand's Book, Reiki, the Healing Touch

Reiki Level II is offered twice in 2011 (upcoming Oct 16)

One day 9 am - 5 pm 1 hour lunch break

Cost $150.00 + HST

Always available:

• The self-directed home study Aromatherapy Courses. When you are ready they are only a click away, a click that will lead you into a world filled with information, self-growth and delight! Perhaps they will be a gift you give yourself this year!
• Aromatherapy Caddy Chemistry Home Study Course
• E-Books and DVD
  • Aromatic Gifts for All Ages and All Seasons
  • Infant Massage
  • Subtle Aromatherapy
  • Aromatic Lords and Ladies of the Zodiac
  • The Hawkins Protocol Book
  • Aroma Massage DVD