Sleep is a physical necessity of the body. It has a wide array of health benefits ranging from better mood, better weight management, lower risk of injury, improved immune function, and experiencing less pain. Furthermore, studies confirm how sleep helps with brain function, such as assisting with storage of memories, recall, attention, and problem solving.
Recently, the National Institute of Health provided further evidence that sleep is a necessity for cognitive functioning. Mice studies indicated that hours spent in shut eye helps to clear the brain of toxins through its unique vascular drainage system, the gylymphatic system. Interesting to note that this system is also believed to remove the same type of plaques found in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains. Could it be that the rise in both insomnia and Alzheimer’s patients over the past few years are a coincidence or is our hyperactive society a contributor?
I wrote in my homepage blog about the natural medicine recipe that I’m going to share with you to help calm the brain and body for restorative sleep. I was actually introduced to this formula by my clients who learned about it and were reporting amazing results before I actually studied the science behind it. (I have summarized my research findings in my blog).
Here’s the sneak peak recipe that was originally sent out to my essential oils clients by essential oil trainer, Terry Quigley.
Terry writes:
For the most benefit…this is what I have people do…apply Valor to the bottom of feet in the morning and deeply inhale. Then at night…about an hour before sleep, apply valor again to feet and inhale. Right before bed…apply 2-3 drops of sweet dreams to the bottom of feet, deeply inhale, apply excess to chest and pillow! Roll bottle to mix oils…basically, don’t shake it
Sweet Dreams:
In a 15 ml bottle add:
- 10 drops lavender
- 10 drops Tangerine
- 6 drops Roman Chamomile
- 6 drops Geranium
Fill the rest of the bottle with organic olive oil or V6 Mixing Oil from Young Living.
Another Helpful Tip:
If you have chronic insomnia, make sure you are also addressing other contributors such as hormonal imbalances, medication interferences, stress, sleep apnea, or basic sleep hygiene issues (i.e. nixing Facebook, Words with Friends, and stimulating texts with all lights on 5 minutes before shut-eye). If you do, this blend will be even more supportive.
Note: I only recommend pure, therapeutic oils that are used like medicine. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Products and techniques mentioned here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
References:
National Institutes of Health (NIH). How Sleep Clears the Brain. US Department of Health and Human Services: nih.gov. October 28, 2013.
WebMD. 9 Reasons to Get More Sleep. webmd.com.
Neubauer, D, reviewer. Can’t Sleep? What To Know About Insomnia. National Sleep Foundation. http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-related-problems/insomnia-and-sleep
For additional references, please see my blog at dr-lobisco.com.
