Aromatherapy gets you a goodnight's sleep—study

Having trouble sleeping? Don't pop that pill. Just light up an aromatherapy burner or diffuser with some drops of lavender oil in it and you'll plunge into a good shuteye before you know it.

While research on aromatherapy continues to ascertain its benefits, health experts agree that landmark studies done in the past have shown that the therapeutic use of plant oils does help people feel better.

Aromatherapy is believed to stimulate smell receptors in the nose, which sends impulses to the limbic system — the part of the brain that controls emotions and memory.

On the emotional aspect, aromatherapy invigorates and brings a sense of calm and relief from stress; on the physical side, it stimulates the immune, circulatory and nervous systems to rejuvenate one’s self.

Citing a 2005 study published in Chronobiology International, healthguidance.org reports that the lavender oil "acts as a mild sedative and promotes deep sleep.”

The research had 31 healthy sleepers spend three nights in a sleep lab—the first night to adapt to the study; the second night they slept with lavender oil sprayed in the air, and the third night with a control (distilled water) stimulus.

The researchers found out that the lavender oil had these effects on the participants:

• Increased the percentage of deep or slow-wave sleep in men and women.
• Increased stage 2 (light) sleep.
• Decreased rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep

Participants also noted that they felt a surge of energy after a night of lavender exposure.

So, the next time you think slumberland is far away, you'll know what to do.