Introduction: The Search For Better Sleep
Good beauty sleep comes with endless benefits. The search for better sleep often makes people try several remedies, including high-dosage medicines, too. While all this might work, it doesn’t guarantee you undisturbed sleep without side effects. With every remedy you try, there is a side effect to it.
But do you know what’s even better, that does not link any adverse problem with it? It is the essential oil for good sleep. Yes, that’s true. If you are a Gen Z struggling to leave your phone or an elder who’s wondering when your sleep patterns are gonna fix, your search ends here. The two famous essential oils, lavender oil and chamomile oil for sleep, are known for their therapeutic benefits.
But what sets them apart are their benefits and uses in the long run. In today’s blog, we will help you find the perfect sleep companion that unwinds your body and puts you to sleep in minutes.
Why Essential Oils Help With Sleep?
Before moving forward and understanding the differences between the two oils, let’s see what the hype is all about. Essential oils, in general, are known for their rich bioactive compounds that stimulate your nervous system and connect with various cells at once.
So, when you inhale the essential oils, the aromatic compounds instantly reach the olfactory system that regulates your stress level, emotions, memories, and sleep. The best essential oils for sleep are known to –
- Reduce stress levels and tackle anxiety problems.
- Induce and produce more GABA in your body. GABA refers to Gamma Aminobutyric Acid, which balances your nervous system.
- Regulate your heart rate and put it in a resting mode naturally.
As per research in 2021 by Frontiers in Psychiatry, the results have shown significant improvement in sleep quality by 28% within a span of 14 days.
What Is Lavender Oil?
Lavender essential oil is a holy grail essential oil for many people out there. It is extremely important to extract from the buds of lavender trees that are mainly found in the Mediterranean region.
The essential oil has been used for centuries in the medicinal industry, as it has a powerful chemical composition. The main compounds include –
- Linalool
- Linalyl Acetate
- Geraniol, Camphor & Eucalyptol
All of these compounds are rich in anti-inflammatory and relaxation properties that reduce stress and promote stillness. The highest quality lavender essential oil is a gold standard oil that procures its chemical and aromatic profile. It does not have any adulterants, synthetic chemicals, or added fragrance.
What Is Chamomile Oil?
Chamomile essential oil is derived through the steam distillation method from the flowers of German chamomile or Roman chamomile. The oil is usually extracted from one of these flowers, which affects its concentration level and chemical composition to some extent. The major compounds present in chamomile essential oil that help with sleeping are –
- Bisabolol
- Chamazulene
- Apigenin
All of these compounds have dominant properties that significantly reduce stress levels. It further enhances relaxation and diffuses sleep-associated problems.
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Benefits Of Lavender Oil For Sleep
As mentioned above, lavender essential oil is a staple for many people and a powerhouse of active compounds. Let’s explore the benefits of lavender oil for sleep.
A. Improves Sleep Duration And Quality
If you sleep only 4-5 hours a day, then we highly recommend you try lavender oil for sleep duration. The powerful oil not only enhances your sleep quality but also improves the REM stage of the sleep cycle. This is indicated in a report study published in 2020.
B. Keeps Stress And Anxiety At Bay
It’s time to bid farewell to anxiety or stress issues that are capturing your overactive mind. Lavender oil for stress and anxiety is a powerful remedy that calms you before bedtime. A steady trial by Phytotherapy Research in 2015 revealed shocking results about the effectiveness of lavender oil for people with anxiety and stress.
C. Lowers Sleep Disturbances
If your nightmares are at their peak and sleep disturbances often take up your time, you must include lavender Oil in your bedtime routine. Diffuse it before bed or directly inhale to seize its benefits.
D. Balances Heart Rate And Blood Pressure
People who suffer from high blood pressure and heart rate disturbances must use lavender essential oil for deep relaxation and good sleep quality.
E. Reduces Sore Muscles And Tension
Tight muscles and soreness can often disrupt your sleep like no other. Thankfully, a lavender bath soak ritual before bedtime reduces muscle soreness and puts you to sleep in no time.
Benefits Of Chamomile Oil For Sleep
Lavender essential oil is one of its kind when it comes to mental well-being. But here’s how chamomile essential oil brings its set of benefits for good sleep.
A. Improves Natural Sleep Without Disturbances
Getting that natural dose of sleep without disturbances is difficult to approach these days. Thankfully, not anymore. Chamomile essential oil improves the sleeping pattern and promotes gentle sleep without grogginess.
B. Tackles Gut And Digestive Issues
If you deal with digestive problems or gut issues like acidity or gas, your sleep schedule might not be at its best. But, guess what, chamomile essential oil calms your digestive tract with Bisabolol as its primary compound. It naturally fixes your gut issues and reduces discomfort during sleep.
C. Eliminates Body Soreness And Inflammation
A sore and stiff body makes it hard to sleep, especially if it is due to a workout or physical pain. Chamomile essential oil naturally targets the inflammation in the body and reduces stiffness and soreness.
D. Reduces Restlessness
Chamomile oil for good sleep manages a restless body that is hyperactive. It calms the mind and reduces nervous system problems.
E. Gently Heals Your Health
Chamomile oil works wonders for people who are sensitive to fragrances or oils in general. It naturally heals your body. An improves your overall physical and mental health.
Lavender Oil vs Chamomile Oil: Key Differences
The benefits of lavender oil and chamomile oil are quite clear as of now. But let’s cut them even further to pinpoint the key differences between them.
1. Primary Benefit
- Lavender essential oil primarily reduces anxiety and stress and works on relaxing the mind.
- Chamomile essential oil promotes physical relaxation, reduces inflammation, and promotes good sleep.
2. Aromatic Profile
- Lavender oil has a sweet, herbal, and floral fragrance profile.
- Chamomile oil has a slightly woody, warm, and earthy fragrance profile.
3. Best For
- Lavender oil is ideal for people who are prone to stress, tension, and anxiety issues.
- Chamomile oil is best for someone who is sensitive to fragrances and wants pain-relieving therapy.
4. Potency Level
- Lavender essential oil is very strong in all its benefits.
- Chamomile essential oil is slightly gentler and a natural healer as compared to lavender oil.
5. Time For Results
- Lavender essential oil is a potent one and shows results in 10-20 minutes.
- Chamomile oil is mild, so it takes 30-40 minutes.
Which One Is Better For Your Sleep Needs?
While comparing the two, it’s hard to choose one, especially if you fall into different categories.
A. Opt For Lavender Oil if –
You are overly anxious who suffers from anxiety issues and stress, and want something that instantly winds you down.
B. Buy Chamomile Oil if –
You are suffering from digestive or gut issues, inflammation, chronic pain, or restlessness, which, in the end, is affecting your sleeping patterns.
How To Use These Oils For Better Sleep?
When we talk about the best ways to use essential oils for better sleep, there are several methods. But here are the top ones that people use daily.
1. Topical Application
- You can topically use any of the essential oils by combining them with a tablespoon of carrier oil.
- Just apply it to the wrist or massage it on your body for warming effects.
2. Diffuser Method
- Use lavender essential oil for better sleep or chamomile oil to soothe your mind by adding it to a diffuser.
- A few drops of essential oil in a diffuser can do wonders before bedtime.
3. Pillow And Bedsheet Spray
- This is by far one of the most effective ways to get good quality sleep without compromising on time.
- Simply add ten drops of any of the essential oils for good sleep in 100ml of water.
- Add it to a spray bottle and spritz it on your pillow and bedsheet before sleep.
4. Bath Soak Ritual
- The bath soak ritual never gets old, as it holds mind-boggling benefits.
- Add warm water, Epsom salt, along with a few drops of the best essential oils for stress and sleep, to a tub.
- Soak your feet for 20 minutes for that relaxing feel.
Can You Use Lavender And Chamomile Together?
- Using lavender and chamomile oil together creates a synergy effect that is even more promising and effective for good quality sleep.
- Aromatherapy specialists and practitioners insist on using essential oils for sleep, anxiety, physical tension, inflammation, and stress.
- So, there’s no harm in using both oils together.
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Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Nighttime Companion
At the start of the blog, we promised that you’ll find your ideal sleep companion that unwinds you after a hectic day. With that, both lavender oil and chamomile oil are effective for good quality sleep. However, you must choose the one that fits with your needs and preferences and matches your aroma profile. At Moksha Lifestyle, we offer 100% organic and steam-distilled essential oils for good quality sleep.
FAQs
1. Does lavender oil lower cortisol?
Lavender essential oil naturally reduces the cortisol level in the blood, which ultimately reduces the anxiety and stress score.
2. Which oil is best for deep sleep?
Both lavender essential oil and chamomile oil work for deep sleep. The power of aromatherapy essential oils affects your limbic system and promotes relaxation. So, choose the oil that sits well with you.
3. How do Lavender and Chamomile Oil calm the mind?
Both lavender and chamomile oil naturally calms your mind by reducing the signs of anxiety and stress. It not only helps you build a sleep schedule but also works on your digestive system.
4. What are the chamomile tea benefits?
Chamomile tea benefits for body and mind will genuinely alter your healthcare game for good. It reduces stress, improves sleep quality, and manages fat loss.