Tips for a good nights sleep

Causes of insomnia are numerous, but commonly, stress, tension, anxiety or stimulants such as caffeine can result in a lack of sleep. 

To help induce a restful nights sleep, do something relaxing leading up to going to bed such as reading, taking a warm bath or listening to soothing music. 

Ensure your bedroom is dark and quiet with plenty of fresh air; so keep your window open a little even in winter. A stuffy, warm room will prevent you from getting quality sleep. Add 10 drops of essential oils to a warm bath. Bergamot, rose or lavender are ideal as they contain soothing, calming properties and so are perfect for preparing you for sleep. Don’t drink coffee or tea in the evening as these stimulants can interfere with your sleep patterns (and, incidently, cause headaches, rapid heartbeat and excessive urination). Instead try fruit or herbal teas such as passion fruit or chamomile. 

If your insomnia is persistent, it may be worth trying a natural remedy such as Valerian. This sweet scented flower has been shown to have mildly sedative properties and may be useful if your insomnia is related to being anxious or stressed. Supplements are widely available and should be about 1 hour before bedtime, or as advised. They takes about 2 weeks to work and shouldn’t be used for more than 3 months at a time. 

Note: Always consult your doctor if your insomnia or anxiety persists.

Peppermint: properties and uses

Like many herbs, peppermint was known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. It was used as an ingredient in wine, a detoxifier, and perfume. A native of Europe, the best type of peppermint

comes from England as it favours the damp conditions.

Peppermint is a hybrid of Watermint and Spearmint and is a powerful oil with many properties. In fact I believe this is an essential oil, along with Lavender, that every household should have in its first aid kit. It is antiseptic, astringent, a carminative, cephalic and a decongestant. Whilst not best used in massage treatment (unless in very small quantities and in local areas) it is ideal treatment to help the respiratory system and circulation through inhalation or in infusers.

A very uplifting herb, peppermint is a natural balancer, a so-called adaptogen. It can act as a stimulant and relaxant, and is cooling yet warming. This makes it a very good remedy for colds and flu as it helps calm mucus and fevers and encourages perspiration.

Peppermint is best known for its extremely useful action on the digestive system, particularly acute conditions. Due to its relaxing and slight analgesic properties, it is a useful treatment against many digestive related ailments such as food poisoning, vomiting, nausea, constipation, travel sickness and colic amongst others. It is also said to be helpful for kidney and liver disorders.

Peppermint is also a valuable remedy for producing a tonic effect on the heart and can help in the treatment of shock, vertigo, dizziness, anemia and fainting. It is an effective pain reliever and can be used to treat headaches, migraines and toothache. It is one of the best remedies for treating aching limbs and feet and offers some relief from rheumatism and neuralgia.

Although it should never be used directly on the skin, in dilution it can help with cases of dermatitis, ringworm and scabies. Its cooling effect can help itching, inflammation and sunburn. Greasy skin benefits greatly as it removes blackheads, balances sebum and softens a rough texture.

Precautions: Peppermint is a powerful oil so care should always be taken with dosage. It may cause

irritation to the skin and mucous membranes and should be kept well away from the eyes. It is best avoided during pregnancy and may antidote homoeopathic remedies. 

Lavender: an essential home remedy

Every home should have a bottle of lavender essential oil. It has many beneficial properties, and can be used for many conditions and ailments.

Historically, lavender has been a popular essential oil in Aromatherapy and has been used in healing for thousands of years in many cultures. It was used in linen drawers to keep moths and insects at bay due to its insecticidal properties.  The Romans used it to bathe and cleanse wounds as it has powerful antiseptic qualities and was popular in the Elizabethan and Stuart ages as a perfume.


With it's many uses, lavender is a most versatile and indispensable remedy.  It is naturally antiseptic, antibiotic, antiviral, detoxifying, a decongestant and a sedative. 

Lavender has amazing skin healing properties and can help prevent scarring as it works to promote the regeneration of skin cells. In fact, applying lavender neat to a burn produces remarkable results as the skin can return to normal within days, whereas without applying lavender, a blister would form and later scar. It is said to be effective against ageing and damaged skin conditions and has a marked healing effect on sunburn, acne and scarring, eczema and psoriasis. In fact, I recently used neat lavender to treat sunburn on my hand due to my SPF protection being washed off as I watered my plants on my allotment! Although it blistered, my skin healed quickly and did not itch nor peel. 

It is also safe and effective on sprains, strains and rheumatic pain as it helps with muscular spasms.  Use it to purify the air, soothe headaches, calm sunburn and relieve insomnia.  It is also safe to use on pets and is effective when used as a natural cleanser in the kitchen for tables and tiles.

Lavender is a valuable ingredient in many commercially produced products including all types of soaps, detergents, cosmetics, toilet waters and colognes.  A natural way to gently scent your clothes is to add a few drops of Lavender oil to your de-ionised water whilst ironing.  Cheaper and much more environmentally friendly.
Lavender is suitable for all skin types.

Note: It promotes and regulates menstrual flow, so should be avoided by those in the early stages of pregnancy.