How to calm nighttime anxiety with essential oils?

Nocturnal anxieties can manifest themselves at different times, but generally appear unexpectedly, without it being possible to prevent them. Two main types of nighttime anxiety are generally described:

• L’anguish when going to bed : it is closer to anxiety, it causes ruminations and prevents you from falling asleep. The person tosses and turns in bed without falling asleep
• There nocturnal anxiety attack : it causes a sudden awakening, characterized by fear or intense discomfort, and which is often accompanied by sweating, heart palpitations, a feeling of oppression or difficulty breathing. In the most severe cases, it can cause a panic attack, with the feeling of being about to die. They generally occur 1 to 3 hours after falling asleep and last on average 2 to 8 minutes.

In both cases, nocturnal anxiety impacts strongly quality of sleep. Unlike night terrors which leave no memory of the attack upon awakening, nocturnal anxiety is more striking and individuals who experience it remember it upon awakening.

Although all causes nocturnal anxiety not been identified to date, it is still interesting to research: it can for example be linked to a life event which causes ruminations (couple problems, health, work, etc.), an older trauma, certain medications, sleep apnea, etc. Depending on the case, this may therefore require specific support.

Many essential oils have beneficial effects on the nervous system, with a view to providing calming, relaxing and sedative effect. This is the case for essential oils rich in alcohols and monoterpene esters which will be preferred to calm nocturnal anxieties. They can be used in several ways: either by diffusion, by inhalation, or by the skin. The interest of these 3 ways of use is to benefit from the effect of aromatic molecules on the limbic system, the seat of pleasure and emotions. The cutaneous route has a double advantage: that of benefiting from the effects of essential oils by penetration into the blood circulation, but also by olfaction or inhalation.

Essential oils finally have the great advantage of not having no side effects when used correctly, unlike certain anxiolytic treatments. In the most serious cases of nocturnal anxiety, however, consultation with a mental health professional should be considered for support and to avoid the resulting problems (insomnia, fatigue, etc.).

Roman Chamomile essential oil is particularly rich in esters. This family of molecules is widely involved in calming and relaxing effects essential oils. The composition of Roman Chamomile is half represented by these famous esters, including isobutyl angelate, 2-methylbutyl angelate, methylallyl angelate and even isoamyl angelate. The esters also have an action antispasmodic, allowing the relaxation of muscle contractions, thus promoting a state of relaxation. For all these reasons, Roman Chamomile is the reference plant for insomnia problems, but also nervous disorders that can result from insomnia, as is the case with nocturnal anxiety. Finally, in the event of nocturnal anxiety during the night, causing a sudden awakening and a state of alert, Roman Chamomile can help to regain a more serene state, on the one hand for its properties, and on the other hand by creating a relaxation ritual.

Finally, it is very flexible to use and can be used by almost everyone. However, it is an essential oil: it should therefore not be used by pregnant women under 3 months and babies under 3 months.

• When inhaled, pseveral choices are possible depending on preferences:
• Breathe directly over the bottle.
• Place a few drops on the wick of an inhaler or a tissue, to breathe as soon as the urge arises, even in the middle of the night.
• Place 1 drop on the upper corner of the pillow, or on a tissue placed on the bedside table for a gentler diffusion.

• In broadcast, ddiffuse in the bedroom, 10 minutes before bedtime.
  
• Through the skin, ddilute 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil, applied to the solar plexus, the inside of the wrists and/or the soles of the feet.

It is finally possible to combine the cutaneous route and inhalation, only if necessary and according to each person's feelings.

• When inhaled, place 1 drop on the upper corner of the pillow, or on a tissue placed on the bedside table for a gentler diffusion.
• In broadcast, diffuse in the bedroom, 10 minutes before bedtime.
• Through the skin, dilute 1 drop in 9 drops of vegetable oil, massage on the solar plexus and/or the soles of the feet.

• L’ylang Ylang essential oil it also contains esters, notably geranyl acetate between 1 and 12%, which makes it a calming essential oil, with a different smell from that of the more exotic Roman Chamomile. The interest of Ylang Ylang in this synergy is above all its cardiac regulating effect, particularly useful when nocturnal anxiety causes palpitations or tension peaks.
• L’sweet Orange essential oil allows on the one hand to bring its fruity and zesty scent into this synergy. It is also anxiolytic and promotes sleep, for nighttime anxiety which prevents you from falling asleep. It contains the vast majority of limonene (93 to 96%!), a molecule known to be antiviral, analgesic and digestive stimulant, but which is also and above all anxiolytic and sedative. Thus, it complements the presence of esters provided by other essential oils.
• L’exotic Verbena essential oil is very rich in citrals, since it contains 63 to 78%. In addition to giving it its characteristic, slightly lemony odor, these terpene aldehydes have remarkable, and especially general, calming properties: an antihypertensive effect secondary to the action of citrals has been observed.
• L’argan vegetable oil is finally present to make the mixture more flexible in use. It is a perfectly suitable dilution medium since it allows on the one hand a gentle diffusion of essential oils across the skin barrier, and on the other hand avoids any risk of irritation, particularly linked to the presence of citrals. in Exotic Verbena essential oil.