Blog #99~ *Essential Oils and Sleep
*The statements on this blog regarding essential oils are my personal testimony only. Any claims made for the products listed below are based on the experience of my son, Nick who has Down syndrome and autism. The products have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Recently, there was a discussion about essential oils on one of the Down syndrome & autism Facebook groups that I belong to. A couple of mums from England described the benefits of using Bach Flower remedies to promote better sleep. I decided to do some research on essential oils to see if they might benefit Nick.
Here’s what I pulled off the website: http:// www.bachflower.org
“Bach Flower Remedies were invented and developed by Dr. Edward Bach about 80 years ago. Dr. Bach isolated and classified 38 flowers from which he extracted 38 essences with which he succeeded in healing patients’ ailments while taking into account their individual emotional states. Dr. Bach found that certain flower essences led to self-healing, as they purified the patient of negative elements that adversely affected their health.”
There is a difference in Bach Flower Therapy and other essential oils. I found the following link which contains more information that further distinguishes them: http://goodworkswellness.com/difference-between-bach-flower-remedies-essential-oils-and-herbal-tinctures/.
Essential oils work on the body, mind and soul. I learned that these oils were more than just a fragrance. They can provide immense health benefits for humans and animals. They are natural, non-toxic and non-habit forming. The oils can be administered topically, aromatically, and most can be taken internally.
When using them topically add 1-2 drops to carrier oil (such as coconut or olive oil) and massage over a large area. Avoid rubbing essential oils on the skin directly, always mix them with a carrier oil. You can rub the mixture on the bottoms of the feet or back of the neck at the brain stem and gently massaged into the skin. The second way to administer the oils is aromatically using a diffuser. The third way is internally. It is best to assume that an essential oil should not be used internally, unless the product has been specifically labeled as safe for internal use.
After doing this research I decided to give it a try. I’d welcome anything that would help Nick sleep through the night.
I went to Fruitful Yield, a natural food and vitamin store (in Oswego, Illinois), where a very helpful staff guided me to a few types of the essential oils. Here’s a sample chart of some of the oils:
I decided to pick one Bach Flower remedy called “Vervain,” which helps you to relax when you are over enthusiastic or strongly driven. The second oil was suggested by the staff person at Fruitful Yield……
“Now Essential Oil Peaceful Sleep”………
The Now Diffuser was very easy to use and priced at $30 dollars. It BPA-free and utilizes high-frequency ultrasonic electrical vibrations to create an ultra-fine aromatherapy mist. Also, it doesn’t utilize heat, which maintains essential oil integrity and holistic properties. You simply fill it the line with tepid water, put a few oil drops in and push the button. A plume of mist filled with the scents of orange, tangerine, lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang oils along with sandalwood in the Peaceful Sleep Essential Oil then fills the air. It is a floral citrus aroma with benefits to calm, relax and soothe. The Now Diffuser also has a light that changes colors intermittently.
Nick’s out like a light 🙂 ……….
After using the diffuser with the peaceful sleep oil for two weeks, I am happy to report that Nick is sleeping much better. There is a notable difference. Nick is relaxing and falling to sleep much quicker than he usually does. He is also sleeping without interruption almost every single night.
I haven’t tried the Bach Flower Remedy yet since the Peaceful Sleep Oil is working like a charm for Nick. This experiment with using essential oils to help with sleep has been very successful for Nick. As I have mentioned in other blogs that I’ve written, it’s good to think out of the box. That’s what is in my noggin this week. 🙂
~Teresa
Down Syndrome with a Slice of Autism 