A more economical Aromatherapy with CPAP

[JoyD.]

Hi All,

I see a lot of posts about Pur-Sleep . . . and almost bought some myself until I saw that it included a lot of fragrances that I wouldn't like, a simple plastic (?) "dish" and pads that they want you to continue buying.

Then I remembered that I already had several Essential Oil fragrances in the house (Lavender, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lemongrass, etc) that I bought at varying times at my local health food store (where I can smell them and see if I like them before buying.) So I dug around and found a little round cut-glass shallow "dish" 3-inch diameter, folded flat some Bounty Toweling in 2-inch squares (just a little scotch tape to hold 4 thicknesses together) - placed that in the shallow little dish - put 1-3 drops of Essential Oil on the toweling-pad and placed the dish against the intake port of my CPAP machine (near the filters).

Works great - and cost me nothing since I had everything on hand. All anyone would need to "buy" might be some Essential Oil from your nearest health food store (a small bottle would do since 1-2 drops goes a long way. You won't have to buy ump-teen bottles to find a fragrance or two that you really like. . . and you can improvise the rest

Happy dreaming,
Joy

[LoQ]

Thanks for the idea. Being of modest means, I'm always interested in low cost solutions. I just wanted to add that I believe Pur-Sleep will send some samples for free to try so that you can determine if you like them or not before you buy. But to each his own solution, and I applaud you for offering an alternative.

[jda1000]

The first time I saw those products, I thought, "Well, why not a drop on the filter?"

Still can't think of why not - I suppose moisture in a filter designed to run dry would tend to collect dust and shorten the life the filter, but then the filter is supposed to collect dust.....

Actually, I haven't done it because it seems silly - not because I can think why it would harm anything.

Could be a question of over-concentrating the dose, and confining all the "off-gases" of the essential oil in the air system....

[Hawthorne]

You don't want any moisture (not even a drop) directly on your filter. I believe the manual tells you to make sure the filter is completely dry (after washing it) before putting it back in the machine. That's why most machines come with 2 filters to start with- one to use while the other completely dries. As for the white filter in the Remstars, it is even closer to the machine.

ANY moisture (even a bit) getting into your machine can cause damage to the machine.

I don't know about the filters for other machines but I imagine the same caution applies and the same problem could arise.

[junie]

Thanks so much for the tip, I'll give this a try, I sent my e-mail and my address to pur-sleep and I never received the free
samples,

[Victoria]

Oh- me too on the essential oils! I have several from various projects.

Instead of putting it on paper toweling, I put it on a cosmetic sponge- like the kind you buy 10 to a package or so. Then I write what the scent is on the back, and store it in a plastic baggie. Seems to work well......although I now associate the first scent I used with terrible sleeping, so I can't use it anymore, b/c it reminds me of my first few yucky nights! Funny how different scents can affect one!

[Sleepy Boy]

Wife got me a bottle of Lavender at Family Dollar, turned it upside down once on a little paper disc and put it behind my machine. Works for me!!

[SharkBait]

I bought the pur-sleep trial pack as the email account for a free sample was broken and PM's to the entrepreneur were left unanswered... Yeah, that's right, he got a sale for ignoring me... That will show him!

I like them, but when I don't mess with it I still sleep like a baby. Turns out the "medical" smell of the equipment is really minimal and a non-issue for me. The sleep lab's equipment stunk like "nursing home", but obviously they gotta disinfect the dog out of it. When allergies are messing with me I like to put a dab of Vicks vapor rub on a paper towel next to the intake. That's actually my favorite, most relaxing aroma as I'm sure it conjures emotions of that feeling you got when you were young and being pampered by your mother when you were ill -- or some psycho babble like that...

Don't bother warning about the catastrophic effects of breathing Vicks. I've seen the "other thread"... (which I find to be an awesome cure for insomnia...)

[larryjay]

Joy,
I like your style.
LarryJay

[StillAnotherGuest]

Don't bother warning about the catastrophic effects of breathing Vicks. I've seen the "other thread"... (which I find to be an awesome cure for insomnia...)

That's surprising given all the "phthalates". That would scare the daylights out of me.

Hmmm. That cliche sounds like it would actually contribute to sleep.

When allergies are messing with me I like to put a dab of Vicks vapor rub on a paper towel next to the intake.

But for sleep, I don't think I would push that one, since menthol EO tends to be "invigorating, stimulating and uplifting". On the other hand, as you have noted, if respiratory symptoms prevent taking sleep, and menthol improves respiratory symptoms thereby allowing sleep, then I can understand that approach.

I see a lot of posts about Pur-Sleep . . . and almost bought some myself until I saw that it included a lot of fragrances that I wouldn't like, a simple plastic (?) "dish" and pads that they want you to continue buying.

Well that's certainly a great idea! Of course, one should select an EO whose effect is the one you want (like "helping to sleep", for instance)(and yours look like some good selections). However, I think one must watch how much they load up with, cause in your list:

Then I remembered that I already had several Essential Oil fragrances in the house (Lavender, Clary Sage, Geranium, Lemongrass, etc) that I bought at varying times at my local health food store (where I can smell them and see if I like them before buying.)

it has been noted here that

Several of the essential oils (geranium, lavender, lemon, and meroli, for example) are adaptogens; they are considered relaxants when used in small or moderate amounts, but act as stimulants when larger quantities are used.

although I don't know what a "larger quantity" is.

I'm interested to know if geranium helps sleep, I had not heard that before.

SAG

[roster]

..... I now associate the first scent I used with terrible sleeping, so I can't use it anymore, b/c it reminds me of my first few yucky nights! ........

Interesting. Revives memories of A Clockwork Orange.

[StillAnotherGuest]

Have you used geranium to help sleep? Did it help, and if so, how did it compare to the other EOs you've tried?

TIA for any comments you may have.

SAG

[JoyD.]

by StillAnotherGuest on Fri Feb 27, 2009 6:21 am

Have you used geranium to help sleep? Did it help, and if so, how did it compare to the other EOs you've tried?

TIA for any comments you may have.

SAG

When I tried a drop of lavender with a drop of geranium (because I like the combo in my bath water), the geranium was offensive to me for sleep. That's my personal opinion. I went back to my old standby, lavender. I'm not all that into whether EO's actually contribute to sleep, I just like the pleasantness of fragrances as I doze off. If they actually help me sleep, all the better.

[Loozianagirl]

SharkBait wrote:
When allergies are messing with me I like to put a dab of Vicks vapor rub on a paper towel next to the intake.

Sharkbait,
I think the Vick's is a great idea, I'm going to try it tonight.

[greenvelvetdragon]

kudos Joy for this thread. i have been doing this more economical option for some time and find the best mix for me is vicks and a couple of drops of lavender oil, i find it a very soothing and relaxing combo. i tried other scents and found these are the best fit for me. i use a cotton wool pad which seems to hold the scent longer than a paper towel.

cheers

GVD