Nightmares are disturbing and frightening dreams that can disrupt your sleep and rattle you awake from it. Those dreams are vividly realistic and can make your heart pound from fear. [1]
Usually, nightmare happens during the rapid eye movement (REM) cycle of sleep. The dreamer may experience strong fear and anxiety during that phase of sleep. He/she may also wake up frequently.
Nightmares can have adverse effects on a person, triggering feelings of anger and helplessness.
Luckily, some essential oils may help you deal with bad dreams.
Continue reading to learn about some essential oils for nightmares that you may use to relax your mind. Some of them have sedative effects to promote better sleep.
8 Best Essential Oils for Nightmares
Here are some of the calming essential oils that may reduce your possibility to have a nightmare with their calming and soothing properties:
1. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is quite famous for its calming effects and ability to prevent insomnia. This essential oil can reduce stress, and anxiety and helps you sleep better.
Lavender oil is particularly helpful to treat any discomfort in the head or brain. It can help the babies to overcome their fear of darkness or sleep alone.
There’s no such study on the effects of essential oils on nightmares. But lavender oil can promote uninterrupted sleep. Therefore, using this essential oil may reduce the possibility of having a nightmare. [2,3]
RELATED: Lavender Essential Oil for Sleep: How Effective?
2. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile oil has soothing properties that may prevent your waking up due to bad dreams. It can calm your mind and put you in the right mood to sleep.
The oil has hypnotic effects that may promote uninterrupted sleep. [4]
Chamomile essential oil has soothing and calming properties. Hence, it can reduce anxiety and stress that may cause nightmares.
The oil can also help you if you’re exhausted because of a nightmare.
3. Sandalwood Essential Oil
Sandalwood oil comes with an earthy aroma that relaxes your nerve and ensures better sleep.
Santalol, the primary component of sandalwood oil is responsible for its sedative effects on the central nervous system. [5]
For those who have difficulty sleeping due to nightmares, sandalwood oil can be a good choice for them.
4. Rose Oil
The subtle yet pleasant smell of rose oil can calm your mind if you have a hard time due to a nightmare.
The oil has a soothing and relaxing effect on the human body and mind, especially when applied to the skin. [6]
This essential oil may reduce blood pressure, and improve your pulse rate and breathing rate, ensuring a night without a nightmare.
5. Vetiver Oil
Some physical illnesses may cause nightmares. Vetiver oil can help you with that.
This essential oil can reduce high blood pressure, restore hormonal balance, and regulate digestion. Vetiver oil can effectively deal with mild sleep disturbance due to bad dreams. [7]
This oil can also ease mental alertness, helping you to have an uninterrupted sleep at night.
6. Bergamot Oil
The refreshing fragrance of bergamot oil can uplift your mood and boost your sense of happiness. This essential oil can be an effective remedy for anxiety, fear, and depression that may trigger a bad dream. [8]
If you become insomniac due to constant nightmares, Bergamot oil can help you with that. Using this essential oil before bed can reduce the possibility to have a nightmare.
7. Orange Oil
Negative emotions such as depression, anxiety, and fear can lead to nightmares. Orange oil can ward off those negative emotions and help you to sleep in peace.
The possibility to have a nightmare depends on the mood you’re in while you’re sleeping. A study says orange oil has positive effects on the mood of people. [9]
The anxiolytic effects of orange oil can provide comfort during your sleep.
8. Frankincense Oil
Frankincense oil is widely known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound healing properties. This essential oil can also help you to sleep without a bad dream.
Frankincense oil can reduce anxiety, fear, and tension, factors that trigger a nightmare. It was proven that frankincense oil could improve your sleep. [10]
The deep your sleep is, the less chance you have to have a nightmare.
How to Use Essential Oils for Nightmares
Although aromatherapy is the best way to use essential oils for nightmares, you can also use them in a bath.
Diffuser:
Pour one drop of each chamomile oil, rose oil, sandalwood oil, and four drops of lavender oil into a diffuser. If you don’t have a diffuser, take 2-3 drops of any essential oil on your palm and inhale the aroma.
Bath:
Add 10-15 drops of any essential oil of your choice to the bathwater. Soak yourself for 15-20 minutes before bedtime to keep you calm and relaxed.
Precautions While Using Essential Oils
Essential oils are usually safe. But, It is also crucial to know how to use them.
Certain precautions must be followed when you use essential oils:
- Try to buy the essential oils from a reputed seller. Make sure you’re buying the pure essential oil, not the adulterated one.
- Store the essential oils in a cold, dark place.
- Always do a patch test before you use any essential oil.
- If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child, discuss this with a doctor before using any essential oil.
When to Visit a Psychologist
Nightmares aren’t deadly but can hamper your daily life. You may also develop some physical issues due to a lack of sleep.
Nightmares can occur due to mental or physical issues. If you see the home remedies don’t work, you must visit a psychologist or a doctor based on your symptoms.
Conclusion
Dreams are a part of our life. But, when dreams are frightening, they can hamper our sleep, as well as our life.
Don’t let the nightmares get you. Try to be tension-free and live a cheerful life.
Do regular exercise and meditation that can help reduce stress, fear, and anxiety.
You can also use these soothing essential oils to calm yourself down. If the condition gets worse, consult a psychologist.
READ MORE: 13 Essential Oils For Sleep Disorders: Insomnia, Apnea, Snoring, Paralysis
