If some essential oils help find sleep and improve its quality, others, on the contrary, are stimulating and prevent sleep…
The “very powerful” compact essential oil of oregano
Recognized for its broad-spectrum antibacterial properties, compact oregano essential oil is recommended in acute respiratory tract infectionswhether bacterial or viral, intestinal infectionsTHE urinary tract infections as well as infectious and parasitic dermatoses such as fungal infections or scabies. “Given the fact that it is very powerful, it is recommended to avoid taking it in the evening and to anticipate because it can prevent sleep. It is a molecule which is subject to a certain toxicity, it can be dangerous for the liver, it burns the mouth, the skin and it greatly energizes the organism. The effect is random from one person to another but compact oregano can interfere with falling asleep because it warms the body“, explains Aude Maillard, aromatologist and doctor of pharmacy.
Toning cinnamon essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil is very powerful, recognized for its purifying and anti-infective properties. It is traditionally used for its action antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antiparasitic, especially on the digestive, urinary, oral and cutaneous spheres. The catch is that she is invigorating and stimulatingit is therefore formally inadvisable to use it after 6 p.m. because it can hinder the process of falling asleep and promote nocturnal awakenings. “It contains a toxic molecule and is dermocaustic, which means thatit burns the skin. It should never be applied pure to the skin or put directly in the mouth and is not recommended for people taking anticoagulant medication.“, specifies the specialist.
Wintergreen essential oil can be a little too warm
Anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic, wintergreen essential oil is well known to athletes. It is very effective in case ofosteoarthritis, arthritis, muscle spasms, cramps, polyarthritis… It also promotes blood circulation when used as a base for bottom-up massage. “It is also credited with virtues for psychological well-being, especially in cases of stress, restlessness and irritability. But the fact that it warms the muscles can cause palpitations and prevent sleep“, says Aude Mailald.
Energizing thyme essential oil
Energizing and nerve tonic, Thyme thymol essential oil helps to combat physical and mental fatigue. Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiparasitic, it is recommended in many infections such as: ENT infections, oral infections, intestinal infections, urinary tract infections. It also works wonders for joint and muscle pain. Thymol thyme essential oil is very potent and can prevent you from sleeping because of its energizing action. It is therefore better to avoid taking it in the evening.
Lemon essence stimulates the brain
Renowned for promote digestion and cleanse the atmosphere, lemon essence is also psychostimulant. It therefore tends to stimulate intellectual activity and can hinder letting go in the evening, necessary for falling asleep. It is therefore recommended not to take it just before going to bed.
What about peppermint essential oil?
“We often say that peppermint prevents you from sleeping, but that’s not true because it brings slowing of the heart and muscle relaxation. It can even promote sleep because it frees thoughts, which can help anxious people fall asleep. In general, when we use an essential oil in the evening, whatever it is, and there is a poor appreciation of its smell, it can prevent us from sleeping through the discomfort it causes. It’s random depending on the affinities of each with the smells of HE. Hence the importance of don’t insist on using an oil you don’t like!“, nuances our interlocutor.