Ebooks doTERRA eBook Essential Oils and Sleep | Page 7

How do chemical components make essential oils useful
for sleep?
Now that you have learned about a few chemical
constituents commonly found in essential oils, you might
still be wondering, “How will these chemical properties help
me sleep?” When an essential oil contains the chemical
properties discussed above, or any chemical properties
with a soothing, calming, or relaxing nature, it will cause a
positive response within the brain and the body.
Upon inhaling an essential oil with calming properties,
the brain will process the aroma, and an effect will follow.
Once you experience a restful night of sleep after using the
calming oil, the brain will make what is called a positive
association with that aroma, so the next time you smell that
particular oil, your brain will have a similar reaction. After
successfully using an essential oil to promote a good night
of sleep, that oil can be continually used as part of healthy
sleep regimen because of the positive connection your
brain has made between the smell of the oil and a good
night’s rest.
Inhale. Inhaling an
essential oil can
induce a response
within the body for
relaxation
Sleep. This internal
response can
encourage a restful
night of sleep
Positive Association.
After a restful night
of sleep, the aroma
has now created a
positive association
within the brain
Repeat. Positive
association promotes
further use of this
particular oil as part
of a healthy sleeping
routine
As discussed, each individual has different sleep patterns, preferences, and needs, and every person will
react to an essential oil a little bit differently. This is what makes essential oils so useful for promoting an
environment conducive to sleep—you can find an oil that works for you and your sleeping needs. If you
find that one essential oil doesn’t promote quality sleep like you hoped it would, you can try another oil that
contains chemical components that are known to support sleep, and see if that particular oil is a better fit for
your needs.