Are you wondering if essential oils are good for snoring and sleep apnea? Then this article is for you. Here, I’ll try to explain everything I know about essential oils and how they help against snoring as well as sleep apnea.
So, let’s get started!
How do Essential Oils Prevent Snoring?
Essential oils have earned a permanent position in our medical arsenal for thousands of years. They are used as a natural remedy to hundreds of diseases.
Essential oils are naturally occurring and are nothing but the extracted chemical oil from certain plants. These chemical oils are rich in the plant’s flavor, essence, and odor. So, in other words, extracting essential oil is a bit like extracting the natural essence of a tree.
Normally, essential oils are extracted through a natural process. People have extracted natural oil by crushing different portions of the plants and steaming them. Mostly leaves, barks, herbs, flowers, and roots are used for extracting the essential oil from a tree.
Essential oils are widely used in aromatherapy and can improve the physical, mental as well as spiritual state of a person. There are two ways to use essential oil. Either by inhaling them or by diluting them and later applying them to the skin. Never swallow or consume essential oil.
Although there are no scientific data to back this up, people have been using essential oil to fight snoring for hundreds of years. They are an excellent natural remedy against snoring and help to get better sleep.
There are particularly some essential oils that work better against snoring.
Here I am providing a list of such essential oils in brief:
13 Essential Oils For Snoring
Here is a list of essential oils that work excellently against snoring and sleep apnea:
Thyme
Many experts in the aromatherapy field agree that rubbing a few drops of thyme oil around your feet can bring a significant result against snoring.
Peppermint
Peppermint is rich in purifying properties. It helps a lot to clear any blockage in the sinuses and thus offers easier and more comfortable breathing. Inhaling peppermint oil can help a lot to reduce snoring.
If the snoring is due to nasal congestion, then peppermint oil can be your best friend. The anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint oil help to soothe inflammation as well as irritation throughout the nasal airways.
There are a number of ways you can use peppermint oil-
- Before going to bed, take a few drops of essential oil and rub it under your nostrils.
- Before going to bed, take a glass of water and add a few drops of peppermint oil. Now gargle for about a minute with the water. Don’t swallow it!
- This is another widely used method. Take a bowl of hot steaming water and add a few drops of essential oil to it. Now place your head over the bowl, cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam. This homemade cleansing system will produce steam that will help with your snoring a lot.
Eucalyptus
A lot of research has concluded that eucalyptus has the ability to break the mucus inside our respiratory system. It also works inside our sinus and throat.
Along with snoring, eucalyptus oil also helps against asthma and bronchitis. Eucalyptus oil can heal many health issues such as-
- Respiratory problems
- Bronchitis, allergy, or sinusitis
- Fever
- Migraine headache etc.
There are many uses of eucalyptus essential oil such as-
- It is widely used for enhancing concentration. So, if you suffer from a lack of focus, eucalyptus oil can be a great natural remedy.
- Eucalyptus oil can be used to get relief from sore muscles.
If you are suffering from any medical condition, pregnant or breastfeeding, then avoid using Eucalyptus oil.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood is rich in a type of woody smell. This smell is renowned for reducing anxiety and calm physical stress. This relaxation is really beneficial for a peaceful sleep.
Lemon
It’s needless to say the benefits of lemon. The citrus fresh smell of lemon is appreciated by everybody. This smell can uplift our mood in seconds. This refreshing smell also has the capability to reduce anxiety and improve the physical state.
Lemon oil is rich in antispasmodic properties that are known to heal throat injections as well as moisturize it.
Clove
Clove is a renowned name in the world of herbs. It has hundreds of use as a medicine. Phlegm is one of the most common reasons for snoring. Clove oil has the ability to loosen up phlegm from our chest. It also helps to break up the phlegm when we lie down. It helps a lot to prevent snoring.
Pine
Pine oil is extracted from the pine needles. This oil is rich in antioxidants as well as antimicrobial properties. Pine oil is widely used by aromatherapy experts to reduce soreness in muscles and joints. It is also an effective natural remedy for insomnia.
Fennel
Fennel is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a common reason for snoring. Many people have used fennel for its anti-inflammatory properties which work in the throat and nose and improve the condition of the airflow. This results in reduced snoring.
Sage
Sage oils have been used for their medicinal values for thousands of years. They are highly effective against the common cold as well as a respiratory infection. It also helps to improve the air circulation through your body.
Citronella
Alcohol consumption, special late at night, is a common cause for snoring. Citronella oil is renowned for its detoxifying properties. It helps to get rid of the toxins from our body through urinating and sweating out.
Lavender
Lavender is one of the most commonly used natural remedies for insomnia. Not only it encourages relaxation, but lavender also works as a trigger for the release of melatonin. Melatonin is a sleep hormone. It provides considerable help to people who snore too!
Valerian
In the case of valerian, we mainly use its roots. Valerian root has a powerful sedative property, which is often used in sleeping supplements.
Valerian oil encourages a peaceful sleep with very limited disturbance or waking up. It also works as a great sleep aid.
Geranium
Though not widely known, geranium oil is also capable of preventing snoring on a large scale. It is enriched in soothing properties. Massaging your feet, chest, and neck with Geranium oil will bring the optimum result.
Essential Oil Throat Spray
Recently, many brands have produced throat spray that is made of a combination of essential oils. According to customer reviews, these throat sprays are very effective against snoring. Most of these throat sprays (more or less) use the following essential oils:
- Clove
- Lemon
- Peppermint
- Sage
- Eucalyptus
- Pine
- Lavender
- Fennel
- Thyme
How To Use Essential Oils To Prevent Snoring?
Here are the ways you can use essential oil to prevent snoring:
- Diffuse the essential oil into the air and inhale it
- Add a few drops of diluted essential oil to a hot bath
- Take a cup of water and add a few drops of essential oil into it. Now gargle for about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Take a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil and mix the essential oil with it. Now massage your skin with the oil mixture.
- Take a few drops of essential oil (diluted) and massage the bottom of your feet with it.
- This is the most effective way to stop snoring with essential oil. Take a bowl of hot steaming water and add a few drops of essential oil in it. Now place your head over the bowl and cover with a towel. Now inhale the steam. This homemade cleansing system will help a lot to stop snoring.
My Favourite Essential Oil for Snoring
This Essential Oil is a Defense Shield for your Immune System: Germ Fighter essential oil is a natural, organic blend of Lemon, Clove Bud, Eucalyptus Globulus, Cinnamon Cassia, Rosemary 1,8-Cineole. It’s designed to support your immune system in fighting off germs; providing you relief and keeping you in good health. It helps your immune system battle cough, cold, flu bug, stuffy nose, sore throat congestion, and respiratory issues, thus opening up your air passage and allowing you to breathe more easily.
Olive Oil works as well for few and you can check the info here on Olive Oil Remedy for Snoring.
Precautions You Need To Follow:
You should never use essential oils directly. It needs to be mixed with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil. The recipe you need to follow is, for every ounce of carrier oil, use 4-6 drops of essential oil.
Before even opening the bottle, read the instructions on the label and follow them to the T. Always protect your eyes from essential oils.
If you have a medical condition or are already following a prescribed medicine, then talk to your doctor before using any essential oil.
Shortcuts to get Rid of Your Snoring:
These are the 3 ways in which you can get rid of your snoring quickly and effectively
- Jaw Stabilising Mouthpiece – GMSS(My preferred way using a mouthpiece)
- Mouthpiece – Zquiet
- Jaw Exercises which has worked for many
Why 3 options:
Some prefer tongue stabilizers as there are not hard plastic and easy to get used to.
Some prefer traditional mouthpieces
and Some want to fix it naturally irrespective of how long it might take.
