Lavender (lavandula angustifolia)
For me, the sweet aromatic fragrance of Lavender evokes a sense of tranquility.
Lately, part of my nightly routine has been to diffuse lavender oil and dab a few drops on my pillow at night. Inhaling the scent of lavender is relaxing and helps me to fall asleep sooner.
There a number of published clinical studies that support the use of lavender oil to induce sleep and relieve anxiety.
University of Southampton
Wesleyan University
Efficacy of orally administered Silexan in patients with anxiety-related restlessness and disturbed sleep--A randomized, placebo-controlled trial
Lavender and the Nervous System
One study from Southampton University in England suggests that lavender can increase your sleep quality by 20%.
Research from Wesleyan University also shows that lavender increased slow-wave sleep, and subjects reported that they felt more energetic in the morning after lavender exposure.
If you are effected by poor quality of sleep, you might want to try aromatherapy using lavender. Lavender Essential Oil has been the most widely used oil for thousands of years and has numerous therapeutic and medicinal properties.
