Besides being beneficial in treating many conditions like hair loss and obesity and dealing with issues related to skin and post-operative pain, lavender is being used increasingly to aid sleep.
Insomnia rates high in the list of the most commonly reported medical complaints received by practitioners. Treatment for insomnia runs from prescription drugs to therapies. Drugs do provide relief but they are definitely not for long-term use. Techniques like behavioral sleep therapy, meditation and relaxation techniques are more lasting. Many people today are turning to alternate medicine for dealing with insomnia.
These alternative methods involve the use of essential oils and aromatic compounds. One of the best oils to treat insomnia is lavender. This flowering plant, which is native to the Mediterranean, has a distinct scent and a pleasant fragrance. The essential oil used in products is extracted from the petals of the lavender plant.
Lavender oil contains compounds that help in relaxation. The aroma of lavender helps the brain waves and the central nervous system to slow down. 
This in turn relieves anxiety and creates a state of tranquility which helps you drift off to sleep. Lavender is certainly a natural aid for sleep. It is also proven to improve the quality of sleep. Even infants and toddlers are known to sleep more deeply after a lavender-scented bath oil
There are several ways in which lavender products can be used to alleviate sleeplessness.
- Lavender oil can be added to bath salts and massage oils.
- Lavender candles and diffusers can make the room fragrant with the natural herb.
- Pillows with a few drops of lavender oil or a sleep mask stuffed with a few sachets of lavender leaves are other methods.
- Additionally, lavender can be consumed in the form of tea. Add one or two teaspoons of lavender leaves to a cup of boiling water. Stand for 15 minutes and drink after it has cooled.
Scientifically, lavender is not a conclusive cure for insomnia. But it is being widely accepted as an alternative for those insomniacs who want to try out a natural remedy for aiding sleep. The sedative properties of this fragrant herb do provide relief and save you from many sleepless nights.
