Ever lived with someone who snores? If you have, then this article is for you! Essential oils can help with snoring and allow a person to get more sleep.
Did you know that 45% of normal adults snore occasionally and 25% snore on a daily basis?
That is a significant percentage of the population, and that number is growing every day. Snoring can be a sign of a serious problem and should not be taken for granted.
“Essential oils can help with
snoring and allow a person
to get more sleep.”
What causes snoring?
Snoring is caused by the soft palate in the back of the mouth. The palate puts pressure on the airway and partially blocks the person from breathing. In some cases, the tongue can also contribute to making the situation even louder.
It is hard to guess what causes it to happen on a case by case basis, but here are some of the most common reasons:
- Being overweight applies extra weight on the neck
- Air that is too dry or too humid
- Respiratory tract infection
- Allergies
- Smoking
It is important to figure out what is causing your snoring. You want to make sure that you work on your symptoms and not just taking shots in the dark. You don’t want to try adding a humidifier to stop snoring if the problem is too much humidity
Why snoring should not be ignored?
Snoring does not just affect you; it affects everyone around you that is trying to sleep. In extreme cases, it can stop people from getting a good night rest.
Snoring could also be a sign of something worse. In some cases, snoring can be a warning sign that a person is suffering from sleep apnea, a hernia, or even worse. Always check with a doctor before assuming that snoring is natural and not a health risk.
How can essential oils help?
Essential oils have become a common treatment for numerous conditions for those that are looking for natural solutions. The idea is that humans have been using plants to heal ourselves since the moment we first stepped foot on this planet. With advancements in modern science, technology and logistics, we now know what plants work best for snoring condition. Furthermore, these plants can be delivered to someone’s front door within a day.
Using oils that have anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties can have a significant effect on snoring. In fact, a 2004 double-blind study by Royal Shrewsbury Hospital found that essential oils could effectively stop snoring on 82% of the population.
These essential oils work by breaking up mucus, halt the production of mucus, decongest the airways, and decreases inflammation.
What Essential Oils Work Best?
Each essential oil comes from a different plant and has different uses and benefits. While none of the oils will be bad for you, some will not help with the snoring as much as others do. These four essential oils will work great for snoring by themselves or combined.
Thyme Essential Oil
If you are looking to stop snoring in its tracks, thyme is the way to go. Thyme has been proven to work wonders for the respiratory system and can provide both quick and long term relief.
One of the most efficient ways to use thyme to stop snoring is by spreading it through the air by using a diffuser. Mix a few drops of thyme essential oil with a few drops of peppermint essential oil and start it up for 30 minutes before going to bed. Delivering the oil through the air will have an instant effect on snoring.
Peppermint Essential Oil
This is an effective essential oil for snoring because it is known to reduce inflammation. It does an excellent job of reducing the inflammation of the mucous membranes. This is especially useful for those that snore because of allergies.
Mixing this oil with thyme as mentioned above is a very effective way to stop snoring. Another way to use peppermint essential oil is to gargle it before going to bed. Mix a few drops into a glass of water and gargle.
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is universally known to relax everything it comes in contact with, from babies to muscles. Spreading lavender through a diffuser will also help relax throat muscles and the airways. This can have a positive impact on snoring.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
As discussed above, one of the best ways to stop snoring is to liquefy the mucus that is blocking the airway. Eucalyptus is a natural oil that does just that effectively. It is particularly effective when the oil is mixed with a suitable carrier oil and applied to the upper lip so that it can be inhaled through the night.
Conclusion
If you are having problems with snoring, try and get help from a physician immediately. Do not ignore something that could potentially be much more severe.
If the snoring is not life threatening, essential oils can offer relief without the risk of introducing toxic chemicals into the bloodstream. Do not ignore the snoring for another day!
Guest post by Shannon Smith
Have you used essential oils for problems with snoring?
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Hi,
Thank you for sharing. I have a problem with my partner because he snores very loud that I could not sleep. I use eucalyptus oil when I feel dizzy by applying above my lip. It feels like breathing fresh air. I never thought that this also helps with snoring. I’ll start using eucalyptus oil with my partner tonight. Will try some of the other essential oils too.
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