Her Anxiety Was Ruining Her Sleep—Until Lavender Oil Helped Her Calm Her Mind Naturally
After 10 years of anxiety and sleepless nights, lavender oil gave her the relief she’d been seeking
Something has to change. My mind won’t stop spinning, and I’m staying up all night, thought Silvia Lupone. Her work schedule was hectic, she was struggling to keep everything straight and her anxiety was at an all-time high. Without sleep, she couldn’t focus, which prevented her from keeping herself and her daily tasks organized and on track.
For 10 years, Silvia’s anxiety had been getting worse. It started when she was 40, and she suspected then that it was due to perimenopause.
Her mind was turned on all the time, and it wouldn’t stop. Her constant racing thoughts began affecting everything—her sleep, work life and relationships. I can’t live this way any longer, she despaired.
Woman's World Answers
After seeking medical help, Silvia’s doctors told her that the best thing she could do was change her diet, so she gave that a shot. After eliminating foods like starchy carbs, dairy and sugar—and only eating chicken, fish and vegetables for six months—Silvia felt a little better. But her anxiety still disrupted her sleep and drained her energy levels each day. Silvia also tried yoga after hearing it could calm her mind. Again, it helped some, but it didn’t improve her worry enough to help her sleep regularly or increase her energy levels.
A natural cure
About five years ago, Silvia was telling a dear friend about her sleep troubles, when her friend suggested trying lavender essential oil. Silvia learned that the lavender flower and its oil have been used as medicinal remedies for centuries. Due to its primary compound, linalool—which has been proven to boost feel-good hormones serotonin and dopamine in the brain, as well as activate olfactory neurons in the nose to produce its relaxing effect—lavender is known for its calming properties.
Silvia was skeptical at first. How could an oil really bring any type of relief? she thought. But after struggling for so long, she realized she had nothing to lose. After all, using the oil was an easy, inexpensive and natural remedy—and it smelled great.
She stopped by a local wellness store and picked up a bottle of lavender essential oil (Handcraft Blends, $10, Amazon.com; a single bottle lasts about three years).
Silvia then warmed 2 Tbs. of coconut oil in a glass jar in the microwave for a few seconds until it liquefied, and mixed in 30 drops of lavender oil. Once the mixture solidified again, she massaged the fragrant balm onto her temples every morning and before bed.
Immediately, Silvia felt her anxiety ease, and she was able to sleep better that very first night—which led to her being more focused during the day. She continued using the oil each day, and her anxiety has only gotten easier to manage over time.
Today, Silvia, now 50, says she feels amazing. “I sleep better, my mind is no longer racing, and I can handle the everyday stressors of life—all thanks to using lavender essential oil.”
Other health benefits of lavender essential oil
Nixes respiratory bothers
A study published in Phytotherapy Research showed that inhaling lavender essential oil can ease symptoms of the common cold, help with bronchial dilation and improve airflow in patients with asthma.
Reduces pain
Applying lavender oil topically helps relieve migraine symptoms, so says a study in the European Journal of Neurology. It has also been shown to reduce pain and inflammation in conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Helps hair grow
Research published in Archives of Dermatology found that lavender oil promotes hair growth by stimulating hair follicles and improving circulation in the scalp. Its antimicrobial properties also keep the scalp healthy.
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