For sleep issues and the relief from insomnia, combining essential oils and a gentle head massage is highly effective for a good night's sleep.
Use one or two of the following essential oils:
Lavender, Blue Chamomile, Vetiver, Geranium or Rose
Put 4 drops in a room diffuser, 10 drops in a relaxing bath, 4 drops in a foot soak, or simply add a drop or two to your body cream
Essential oils are effective for establishing a bedtime routine with aromatherapy, in order to overcome sleep issues and insomnia.
As we inhale the fragrances of the oils, sensory data relay messages to the brain, sending calming signals which help the body to relax and prepare for a restful sleep.
The airborne molecules stimulate the olfactory system, the brain, the limbic system and the amygdala via a variety of receptors, interacting with the part of the brain which controls our heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and the stress responses, regulating and calming the nervous system, helping with improved sleep patterns, and better quality sleep.
Please note! Essential oils are for topical use only!
If used for body massage, always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (1 teaspoon carrier oil with 2 drops of essential oil)
Head massage
In Ayurveda, self-massage is considered an integral part of personal self-care for overall health and wellbeing. There are many self-massage techniques used to detoxify the organs, calm the mind, and stimulate proper functioning of the bodily systems.
When it comes to sleep however, marma points can be stimulated to help calm the nervous system, promoting a healthy, rejuvenating sleep. Massaging the marma points (neurolymphatic points) on the head helps to move the lymph in the head and neck region which may be causing discomfort or stress. To give yourself this soothing massage for a deep and restful sleep, give these two marma points some attention:
1. Top of your head: To find the exact point, run your index fingers from the most upper points of your ears, and trace up to the top centre of your head, meeting in the middle. Apply very gentle pressure and softly massage this point for approximately two minutes.
2. Base of skull – top of neck point: With your index finger, find the indent where the top of the neck vertebrae meets the bottom of your skull. Massage this point in a clockwise motion for approximately two more minutes.
