Aromatherapy for insomnia.

[Doug42]

Hello, I have been trying aromatherapy to help with my insomnia. My first essential oil came in the mail yesterday, it is organic lavender. I rubbed a drop on my palm and inhaled it for a couple of minutes. I did notice a calming effect, but what was more noticeable was my itchy eyes, flared sinuses, and headache that it caused. I was wondering if anyone has tried another essential oil that doesn't have such a heavy floral/perfume smell to it? Maybe something citrus. Thank's

[momofmany]

I like lavender, it's not as strong/irritating in a diffuser. I also like chamomile, it smells just like the tea. It works well but is expensive. What also works well and is pricy is valerian root essential oil but it doesn't smell good at all. Citrus tends to be alerting more than calming but if it's a scent you find pleasent go for it.

[Violet West]

I like Now Foods blends: Peaceful Sleep (floral citrus) and Clear the Air (which is minty). Also, sounds to me like what you are doing is too strong for you! Try diluting with a neutral oil.

I use the oils on my nasal pillows -- NOT directly on it! A drop on a paper towel, wetted and diluted, then I use the other side of the towel (not the side with the oil) to wipe down my mask. Very, very, subtle scent and it shouldn't impact the mask material.

[Doug42]

I like Now Foods blends: Peaceful Sleep (floral citrus) and Clear the Air (which is minty). Also, sounds to me like what you are doing is too strong for you! Try diluting with a neutral oil.

I use the oils on my nasal pillows -- NOT directly on it! A drop on a paper towel, wetted and diluted, then I use the other side of the towel (not the side with the oil) to wipe down my mask. Very, very, subtle scent and it shouldn't impact the mask material.

I have done some reading up on Now Foods Peaceful Sleep and I am definitely going to be ordering some that. I was going to mix one drop of Lavender with some coconut oil and rub it on my hands and feet. What ratio do you recommend? Also, tonight I'm going to put a drop on a cotton ball and place it next to the intake on my machine. Should I put a drop of the recommended ratio on the cotton ball, or would it be ok to put a drop of the undiluted lavender on it? Thank's.

[Hopeful50]

I like this one a lot:
http://www.amazon.com/CPAP-Desensitizat ... =pur+sleep

[Michelle-OH]

I use a diffuser all night with a lavender and sweet orange mix. My DME provider sold some that were for 'sleep' but I was not a fan of the smell so I couldn't really use it. I also put a bit on a cotton ball near my cpap filter.

[chunkyfrog]

I put a bit of oil on a broken Q-tip; then I place that in a bottle cap near my air intake.

[Violet West]

I am not an expert on aromatherapy, so don't want to give specific recommendations on proportions, etc. I just think that if you reacted that strongly in the first place, then what you did was too strong.

Play around a little with it, find a scent you love -- just don't put oils in your humidifier or directly on your mask or equipment.

[Doug42]

I like this one a lot:
http://www.amazon.com/CPAP-Desensitizat ... =pur+sleep

That is definitely on my 'to buy list'. Thank's

[Doug42]

I put a bit of oil on a broken Q-tip; then I place that in a bottle cap near my air intake.

That's a great idea. Do you put one drop of undiluted oil on the q-tip or do you dilute the essential with a carrier and then put a drop on it? If so, what ratio? Thank's

[chunkyfrog]

Straight. And only one drop. Since it is in its own container, I can move it as far away as I need.
I set it where I can barely smell it through the cpap, and leave it there for the night.
Later, I move it closer as the fragrance weakens.

[Gasper62]

Try a slight whiff of gardenia, jasmine or plumeria/frangipani oil. ~~~ http://www.bulkapothecary.com/product/r ... hgodickCbw (no affiliation, just an eample)

[Islandwoman]

Try a slight whiff of gardenia, jasmine or plumeria/frangipani oil.

. These are fragrance oils and synthetic, not essential oils and not healthy for inhaling, same as candle scents. Lots of research that room "fresheners" etc. can cause asthma in children. They are not healthy to breath. I have trouble walking into a room where fragrance oils are in use. Buy at a health food store or on line but get real essential oil. I got some round cosmetic pads and use one near my filter with one drop of oil. Just do not get on wood furniture. I use eucalyptus when I have a cold

[Gasper62]

Try a slight whiff of gardenia, jasmine or plumeria/frangipani oil.

. These are fragrance oils and synthetic, not essential oils and not healthy for inhaling, same as candle scents. Lots of research that room "fresheners" etc. can cause asthma in children. They are not healthy to breath. I have trouble walking into a room where fragrance oils are in use. Buy at a health food store or on line but get real essential oil. I got some round cosmetic pads and use one near my filter with one drop of oil. Just do not get on wood furniture. I use eucalyptus when I have a cold

Well...as I noted, " an example ", however, the linked vendor plainly lists their oils as 100% naturally sourced. I'll just let you fight that out with them in regards to their assertions and yours.

[norestfortheweary]

You should never put aromatherapy oils directly on your skin due to it causing burning and other reactions like you had. The place you got your oil from should have sent you instructions on how to use it. They need to be diluted with a ''carrier'' oil such as grapeseed, almond, etc. That way the aromatherapy oil is diluted and you shouldn't have the kind of reaction you did. Some people are very sensitive to certain aromatherapy oils. I have read massaging a few drops of the diluted oil on your temple areas can be relaxing. You can even buy aromatherapy sprays to use around your sleeping area but they should not be sprayed directly on your pillow because it can irritate your eyes. You can go online and find more info. Good luck!