| Pure lavender oil and dried lavender flower are | | | | small pillow (around 6 inches long) stuffed with dried |
| commonly used as home remedies for insomnia. | | | | lavender flower and other herbs. One popular |
| When most people think of lavender, they think of | | | | combination of herbs is 1 tablespoon each of dried |
| scented lotions, soaps, shampoos and oils. However, | | | | lavender, chamomile, hops, mug-wort and rose. Place |
| lavender does more than just smell good. Lavender | | | | this pillow near your head at night...within smelling |
| essential oil plays an important role in aromatherapy, | | | | distance. |
| while dried lavender flower is frequently used by | | | | Dried lavender also makes a wonderful tea which is |
| herbalists. | | | | very soothing and relaxing at bedtime. Add one |
| If insomnia strikes, place a drop or two of lavender | | | | teaspoon of dried lavender flower to one cup of |
| essential oil onto a hanker-chief, tissue or cotton ball | | | | boiling water. Steep for 5-10 minutes and then strain |
| and breathe deeply. This aromatherapy will help calm | | | | and drink. |
| and relax you. You can also simply place this | | | | If you like taking warm baths at night, add a few |
| hanker-chief or other small piece of cloth near your | | | | drops of pure lavender oil to your bath water and |
| head while falling asleep. This even works for | | | | soak awhile. The lavender will be extra relaxing and |
| children...in fact a drop or two of lavender essential oil | | | | soothing, helping you fall asleep faster and easier |
| on a favorite blanket or "lovey" can help your child | | | | once you do get into bed.. |
| peacefully drift off to dreamland. | | | | Insomnia is related to anxiety, depression and stress. |
| Pure lavender oil is frequently used in massage | | | | A 2008 study published in the International Journal of |
| therapy. Add a drop of lavender essential oil to | | | | Cardiology documented the cortisol-lowering effects |
| coconut or olive oil and massage the temples, back | | | | of lavender aromatherapy. A 2007 study in |
| of the neck and feet.. This is especially useful for | | | | Psychiatry Research showed a similar finding. Another |
| children and babies who may have trouble sleeping. | | | | study published in 2006 showed a positive effect of |
| However, do use caution when using lavender with | | | | exposure to lavender scent on depression and |
| boys as one study conducted by the National | | | | insomnia in female college students. Other studies |
| Institute of Environmental Health Sciences has shown | | | | have shown that lavender decreases distress in |
| an association between prepuberal gynecomastia | | | | children, aggression in the elderly suffering from |
| (breast growth) and repeated topical use of lavender | | | | dementia and menstrual tension in women. An |
| containing products in young boys. | | | | excellent compilation of these studies can be found |
| Dried lavender flower is oftentimes sewn into pillows | | | | at |
| and sachets. If you frequently have trouble sleeping, | | | | Rarely, lavender can cause an allergic reaction, so as |
| especially if you experience anxiety at night, make | | | | with any unfamiliar herb do use caution, especially if |
| yourself a small "sleep pillow". This is not meant to be | | | | you have a history of allergies. |
| a large pillow to put under your head, but rather a | | | | |