This article discusses a list of essential oils for snoring that can help you keep the trouble under control in a simple, natural way.
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Snoring is that sound your nose makes when you’re fast asleep – it is also that sound that keeps your spouse awake throughout the night. More than that, it messes with your sleep. Simple as that. It’s a nuisance, which has daytime repressions, and spoils your spouse’s sleep.
Snoring as a problem
Snoring is a problem, as it leads to sleep loss, and has a number of repercussions such as:
- It messes with your ability to complete day-to-day tasks
- Impairs your motor skills
- Can result in irritability, depression, and morning headaches
- According to scientific research, a lack of sleep can even have adverse effects on a couple’s relationship.
What causes you to snore?
There are several causes that make you snore, these include:
- People may snore due to the position they choose to lie in, as it can restrict the flow of air into the nose and throat
- Allergies and rhinitis can also be the cause of snoring
- Dry, humid air can make snoring worse. For such cases, a humidifier can help
- Respiratory infections in your upper tract, sinus infections, and sinus drainage are also causes of snoring, especially amongst smokers
- Heartburn and indigestion irritate the throat and trigger snoring as well
- In worst-case scenarios, thyroid problems or abnormal growths can also be a cause of snoring. So when in doubt, consult a doctor!
Essential Oils and Snoring
Using essential oils as a cure for snoring is a great way to get rid of the problem. Not only has it been proven to reduce snoring 82% of the time, it can also be used with other treatments too. This all-natural cure has no additives, chemicals, and it only causes side effects if used incorrectly.
Choosing essential oils for snoring based on the cause
Using essential oils to cure common ailments has become increasingly popular in the past few years. People who suffer from it have begun to treat the affliction with aromatherapy for snoring and natural oils.
For an effective cure, base your choice of natural oil treatment on the reason behind your snoring:
- Caused by Allergies
In such cases, patients should opt for oils with antihistaminic properties. These include Allergy Tamer Blend, German Chamomile, Lavender, Roman Chamomile, Geranium, and Blue Tansy.
- Result of an inflammatory infection:
If you have an infection, then you’ll need to use oils with anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. Your list of options includes Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Cedar wood, marjoram oil for snoring, Lavender, and Thyme.
- Caused by a blocked respiratory airway:
Anti-inflammation essential oils can work wonders in these cases. Try out oils from Cedar wood, Peppermint, Thyme, Roman Chamomile, Pine Needle, Helichrysum, Niaouli, Fir Needles or Sandal wood.
If you’re unsure about the essential oils to use, give them a five-night trail run, and see how it goes. Remember, it’s an all-natural cure!
More information on Essential oils for snoring:
- Thyme
Thyme has proven to be one of the reliefs for snoring. With its purification properties, it can support a patient’s respiratory wellness, while boosting their immune system, joint support, and their muscle health. The oil is also anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-parasitic, which makes it perfect for patients suffering from snoring.
When using Thyme essential oil as a cure for snoring always remember to dilute it first, or else it might irritate your skin. You can mix this incredibly beneficial oil with equal properties of vegetable or almond oil before use.
Apply the oil at the bottom of each big toe before bed, as it is the area that benefits you best. You may doubt the wisdom of applying the oil to your feet in an attempt to help your sinuses, but this advice is based on facts! Traditional reflexology reports have described those spots as a reflex for your neck area. As such, applying the oil there is the best way to deal with your snoring.
Alternatively, you can add a few drops of thyme oil to your diffuser and breathe it in. You should aim to start the diffuser approximately half an hour before you sleep, this will fill your bedroom with the aroma of thyme and allow you to breathe easily.
Remember to consult a doctor before use, if you suffer from high blood pressure. For children under the age of six and women who are pregnant or feeding, it’s best to avoid using the oil altogether.
- Marjoram
The marjoram oil for snoring is incredibly effective. It works to open your airways during the night and reduces your snoring. The great thing about this oil is that when your body begins to register its affects, you can stop using it for the rest of the night. As such, you can easily enable the shut off setting on your diffuser, so that it will go off during the night.
The only problem with this great oil is that it doesn’t work to the same effect on everyone. Marjoram oil is highly effective for patients whose snoring stems from sleep apnea. If you are one of those who doesn’t see the effect of the oil, don’t give up! Just switch to something else. Again, don’t use it if you are pregnant.
- Eucalyptus
The Eucalyptus essential oil possesses a range of therapeutic properties, helping to reduce congestion, liquefy mucus, and open up your air passages. This aromatic, highly effective cure is safe for both adults and children. Patients should add 3 to 5 drops of the oil to a bowl of steaming hot water, aiming to inhale the Eucalyptus-infused steam for 4 to 6 minutes at a time.
You can also apply the oil on the outer skin of your nose, though the steam inhalation technique works best. With its anti-inflammation properties, the Eucalyptus oil is great for treating patients who snore!
- Peppermint oil
This sweet smelling oil has both antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps treat breathing difficulties, such as coughing, by reducing the inflammation in the lining of your airways and easing your breathing.
If nasal congestion is the cause of your snoring, then this is the oil to use! The peppermint oil will work to maintain a smooth flow of air in your respiratory track by cleaning out the mucus. This will reduce the volume of your snoring each night.
Try to gargle a glass of water, which is infused with 2 to 3 drops of peppermint oil. You should aim to do this for about 2 minutes before you sleep each night, just remember not to swallow the mixture!
- Mint oil
Mint essential oil is known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a great choice for patients whose snoring is related to congestion, as it reduces your mucus production and soothes the inflamed membranes in your nasal passages.
You can either dab a few drops of the oil on the outside of your nose, or you can breathe in mint infused steam. In the latter case, aim to use about 4 to 5 drops of mint oil into a bowl of hot water and breathe in the steam.
- Cedar wood oil
Cedar wood oil has been used as a treatment for centuries. It aids your respiratory system, prompting healthy breathing. The woody scented oil relaxes the patients and promotes a peaceful night’s sleep.
You should apply a mixture of cedar wood, thyme, lavender oil (2 drops each) with four drops of olive oil, and apply it to the soles of your feet. Remember to focus on your big toes!
- A blend of oils
The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital released their research regarding essential oils for snoring in 2004. The 14-day trail was conducted with 140 patients, all of whom snored at night. The researchers asked them to either gargle the mixture, or apply a spray. Both mixtures contained thyme, peppermint, lemon, and lavender.
The results were as follows:
82% of patients who used the spray showed reduction in snoring.
71% of patients who gargled 6 drops of the mixture for three minutes before sleeping reported decrease in their snoring.
Points to keep in mind while using the essential oils
- Check the quality!
For maximum benefits, choose a high-quality oil, as they are less likely to contain additives. To judge the quality try to conduct research on the companies before purchasing the oil. You should also be wary of oils that are priced lower than others, as they will not be pure or of good quality.
- Dilute it first!
You should always dilute the essential oils as they may irritate the skin. Before applying the natural oil, or breathing it in, test it on a small patch of skin. This will allow you to check that you are not allergic to the oil!
- Consult a doctor.
Before you use the oil, consult your doctor. You can also get their advice on the cause of your snoring.
Conclusion
Essential oils for snoring have been proven to be highly effective treatments for patients who snore at night. Diagnosing the source of your snoring can go a long way in treating it. So, consult a doctor to understand if it’s due to inflammation or allergies. Patients would always test a drop or two of the oil on a small patch of skin before using it, and remember, if at first the treatment doesn’t succeed, try another oil!
Sources and References
- HealthDirect How to stop snoring
- NIH What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea?
- MedlinePlus Snoring
