Night terror is a sleep disorder mainly affecting children, and more rarely adults. Referred to as parasomnia, it occurs during deep slow-wave sleep. It causes screaming, tachycardia, increased breathing, and sudden movements such as struggling, sometimes with eyes wide open. This can be worrying for parents who should not wake the child, who will eventually go back to sleep. Night terrors are a normal phenomenon linked to brain maturation. If, however, it becomes repetitive, or persists with age, consultation with a specialist may be considered. There is no treatment. However, certain essential oils can provide relief and can therefore be useful in limiting night terrors.
This article was updated on 07/02/2023Night terror: cause and consequences
Night terror is a parasomnia, an unwanted behavior that occurs during deep slow-wave sleep, usually 2 hours after falling asleep or in the middle of the night. It can be very impressive: the person begins to shout, open your eyes wide with dilated pupils, sit up, have sudden movements and struggling while she is asleep. She may also experience redness or paleness, excessive sweating, increased heart and respiratory rate, and utter incoherent speech. Night terror can last from a few seconds to several tens of minutes, but will not leave no memory of the episode upon waking, unlike nightmares.
Children are much more affected than adults by night terrors. In fact, it is estimated that 40% of children face this problem. The frequency then decreases with age, around 5-6 years, to affect only 2% or less of adults. The source of these terrors is quite obscure, between heredity, lack of sleep, stress, etc. For children, however, it would be a normal phenomenon linked to brain maturation. As long as they are not repetitive, there is no cause for alarm. This may cause concern for parents, but it is important not to wake the child in the middle of a seizure by talking or touching him. He would then risk restarting his sleep cycle and having another attack a few hours later. You just have to make sure he doesn't get hurt.
In the event of night terrors persisting after childhood, severe and/or chronic, it may be necessary to consult a specialist since they can cause fatigue in oneself, or in those around them.
Why use essential oils against night terrors?
Night terror is not a serious problem, as long as it remains occasional. Although it leaves no memory upon awakening, it can be very impressive for those around the affected person, even worrying, and can cause fatigue for both. To limit the occurrence of night terrors as best as possible, it may therefore be interesting to use certain essential oils, preferably flexible to use for children, and to calming and relaxing properties.
Happy coincidence: the essential oils most renowned for these properties are very well tolerated. We are talking here about Roman Chamomile, Petit Grain Bigarade, True Lavender and even Complete Ylang Ylang. They are in fact rich in certain monoterpenols and monoterpene esters, calming molecules both at the nervous and muscular level, in order to put the entire body at rest.
The quick reflex: Roman Chamomile essential oil
Why is it effective?
L’roman Chamomile essential oil is widely used and very appreciated by parents for its different properties. It is useful in most sleep-related problems, for promote better nights. It is particularly rich in esters, anxiolytic, nervous sedative and spasmolytic properties. We find in particular isobutyl angelate, 2-methylbutyl angelate, methylallyl angelate or even isoamyl angelate.
To make the most of its effects, however, it is preferable to enjoy its smell. If this is not the case, there are of course other essential oils with calming effects, which act via different molecules, such as True Lavender or Petit Grain Bigarade for example. It is then possible to use one or the other, or mix them synergistically to benefit from their benefits.
How to use it ?
In adults and children from 3 years old
- 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 4 drops of vegetable oil, applying to the solar plexus, the inside of the wrists and/or the soles of the feet.
In children and babies from 3 months
- 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.
Complete synergy
Roman Chamomile essential oil can be very effective on its own in limiting night terrors, but it may be interesting to combine it with other essential oils in synergy. This creates a more complete mixture, with a different smell.
The essential oils present in this synergy are each very well tolerated, they can also be used alone for their calming effects, independently of each other. Their method of use will then be the same as for Roman Chamomile mentioned above.
The mixture
To combat night terrors, take your empty bottle and add:
- 10 drops of essential oil Roman chamomile
- 5 drops of essential oil True Lavender or Petit grain bigarade according to preferences
- 5 drops of essential oilYlang ylang complete
- 180 drops of vegetable oil Apricot kernels
Cap (click!), homogenize then label your bottle. Your synergy is ready!
Modes of use
Through the skin, massage 3-4 drops of the mixture along the spine, on the solar plexus or the soles of the feet before bed. It is also possible to place 1 to 2 drops on the inside of the wrists, to breathe.
In addition, it is possible to place 1 drop of True Lavender, Roman Chamomile or Petit Grain Bigarade on the pillow, or in the bedroom, 10 minutes before bedtime.
Authorized users
YES. The adults, adolescents, babies over 3 months old, pregnant women over 3 months old and breastfeeding women.
NO. Pregnant women under 3 months, babies under 3 months.
Generally, remember that essential oils are FORBIDDEN for babies under 3 months and in the first 3 months of pregnancy. More details : essential oils for babies and theessential oils for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Special precautions
- Medical advice is necessary for people with asthma and epilepsy.
- It is important not to overdose on oils as this may cause dizziness or reverse the effects.
- In case of severe hypotension, this synergy is contraindicated.
- It is also recommended to carry out the allergy test with the mixture in the crook of the elbow before use.
These precautions apply under the application and dosage conditions cited above. If in doubt, ask your question on our forum and consult your doctor.
Why this synergy?
- True Lavender essential oil and theessential oil of Petit Grain Bigarade are very different and yet have one thing in common: their main aromatic molecules. They indeed contain a high concentration of linalyl acetate, an ester, and linalool, a monoterpenol. These molecules make them essential oils widely recognized as relaxing and calming, by action on neurotransmitters. Although they can be used alone, it is interesting to combine them with each other and with other essential oils to obtain a new perfume, the latter playing an essential role in the effectiveness of essential oils on the psycho-emotional sphere.
- L’complete Ylang Ylang essential oil contains both alcohols and monoterpene esters, the two main families of molecules involved in calming, relaxing and sedative effects essential oils. Night terror can cause an increase in heart rate, Ylang Ylang Complete and here also interesting since it is hypotensive.
- L’apricot kernel vegetable oil allows the mixture to penetrate the skin effectively, gently and for a long time. It is a vegetable oil perfectly well tolerated by all skin types, even the most sensitive. It therefore constitutes a perfect base for the synergies of essential oils to be used in massage.
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Bibliography
Work : Couic Marinier, F., Briquet, L. (2021). Aromatherapy. Living earth.
Work : Langevin, B. (2009). How to help my child sleep better. Mortagne Eds.
Website : Night terrors. (2018, February). https://naitreetgrandir.com/fr/etape/1_3_ans/soins/fiche.aspx?doc=ik-naitre-grandir-enfant-sommeil-dodo-peur-terreur-nocturne.
Website : Challamel, M.-J. (1992). Parasomnias in children. Sleep Monitoring Bulletin, 9, 8‑13. http://sommeil.univ-lyon1.fr/articles/challamel/bvs/print.pdf
Website : Sulkes, S.B. (2022, June 29). Sleep problems in children. MSD Manual Professional Edition. https://www.msdmanuals.com/fr/professional/p%C3%A9diatrie/troubles-et-probl%C3%A8mes-comportementaux-chez-les-enfants/probl%C3%A8mes-de-sommeil-chez- the-children
About these tips
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.