Lavender flowers
Lavender oil can encourage peaceful sleep [Image: Off2riorob CC-BY-SA-3.0]

Q&A: Sleep…naturally

17 August, 2011

Q – I’m looking for a safe sleeping remedy. I have real trouble getting off to sleep and frequently wake during the night. Can you advise?

 

A – One of the safest and effective sleeping aids is to add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a tissue and place the tissue on the pillow next to you when you go to bed. In one hospital trial this method proved to be more effective than pharmaceutical sleeping pills at both helping people get off to sleep and remaining asleep throughout the night. No one method seems to work for everybody though and another completely safe approach would be to try Neal’s Yard Remedies Bach Flower Essence Blend called Unwind. This is a combination of flower essences that will help to calm an active mind, assisting relaxation and sleep.