Can Sleep Patches Work?
April 3, 2007 by laura
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
I saw this in some magazine (I normally quote sources, but I am sorry I cant remember where I saw it). It made me think that if a patch can help smokers stop smoking, than maybe a patch can help someone with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome get some quality zzzz’s.
I am all for finding more natural ways to help me with my sleep problem. I have never found a drug to help me, and while acupuncture, and other treatments do work for me, I can always use a boost.
The patch consists of the following essential oils, that you will inhale to help get a better sleep: chamomile, jasmine, sandalwood, honeysuckle, and lavender.
If any of you have any experience with this, let me know. I am thinking about purchasing a pack to see what its like.
I just slap on some jasmine oil when I go to bed. Or if my muscles are uncomfortable and jittery I use lavender–seems to work better for muscle-induced insomnia. It might be cheaper just to buy the oils and dab on as needed.
In principle I think using essential oils to promote sleep is a great idea and it really works.
I have a great little oil I call my sleepy oil, which consists of lavender, orange, sandalwood, ylang ylang and marjoram (in that order of concentration). I find it is very useful for getting to sleep when I am having trouble, and my partner does too. To use it I just put a drop or two on a tissue near my pillow.
I sometimes make it myself, but it’s usually easier to buy it pre-made, from a little company called Auroma. They are australian, but I’m sure there are reputable aromatherapy companies that sell something similar in canada - try a health food store that also sells essential oils.
I am dubious about the patch you show because it contains honeysuckle - not something I have ever seen refered to in any aromatherapy texts. This suggests to me that the oils in the patch are probably just fragrance oils rather than essential oils, and won’t give you the benefits of essential oils. However I can’t confirm this without seeing the product - if you see it in a shop look for the words “100% pure essential oil”. Any mention of the word “fragrance” should get you suspicious.
I just did a quick web search and I think Sangters sell a pure essential oil blend for sleep. There must be canadian essential oil distributors who do too, but it’s hard for me to find them, being on the other side of the world. Happy hunting!
If anything I would just hunt down a bottle of lavender essential oil and use that - it is fairly powerful all on it’s lonesome!
I have been trying the oils. But the scents are so strong I cant put it on my skin. I put a drop or 2 on some kleenex and stick it inside my pillow, on the underside. But still too strong, and I wake up all headachey. Although, it might be due to the fact that I have been really sick lately. It might be better to try it, when I am a little more healthy.
I just thought the patch might be a more subtle approach. For instance, maybe I could it on my foot, where the scent might not be so strong to my nose, and wont wake up with an aroma hangover.
Thanks for the tips. I will try again in a couple of weeks….when this hanger on illness has completely gone away.
Oh, nonono… don’t ever put straight oils on your skin! They need to be diluted to about 2% in a carrier oil (sweet almond, or grapeseed, or jojoba).
And I actually only put one drop on a tissue and then put that on the opposite side of my bedside table to the bed - I also feel it is too strong and headache inducing if it’s any closer to me. Try doing this instead or even putting the tissue somewhere else in your bedroom (just on the floor is fine) and then slowly working it closer to you, night by night, to find the optimal distance where you can smell it, but only a little.
Ellie,
I am so glad I have you around to teach me the ropes of aromatherapy
I will try out your suggestions this week.
Thanks so much.