How to sleep better by using Vetiver essential oil at bedtime
About Vetiver Essential oil
Vetiver essential oil comes from a grassy plant (vetiver plant) that is native to Haiti and India. The Vetiver plant is in the same plant family as lemongrass and citronella.
With a warm, earthy, woody, and smokey aroma Vetiver is a very common perfume ingredient. This complex and sophisticated aroma provides a grounding feeling, and carries a masculine undertone.
The essential has rich reddish-blown color and oil is thick texture that drips out of the bottle very slowly.
Sleep aid properties
Starting with the brain function, Vetiver essential oil works on the brainstem areas that control the expression of innate behaviors responsible for perception and emotional impacts on heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
As the Vetiver oil promotes improved brain function the nervous system to becomes calm, there is balancing out of negative emotions, and reduced anxiety and depression. Calming of emotions makes it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Quality of rest is improved with better breathing patterns as Vetiver oil increases the quality of exhalation and decreases fast inhalation patterns.
Regulating breathing to a more even and slow rhythm provides better oxygen levels throughout the body. This breathing pattern change can also reduce or eliminate snoring during the night.
The grounding effect of this oil provides feelings of comfort, safety, wholeness, and relaxation as you rest.
How To Use Vetiver Oil for Better Sleep
There are two options for using Vetiver oil as a sleep aid, topical application and aromatherapy.
Topical application of essential oil always requires a carrier oil. Carrier oil is used to reduce the potency, and facilitate better absorption. Choose a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or olive oil and dilute your essential oil to 3%. This works out to 3 drops of essential oil per 10 ml of carrier oil.
I recommend using an amber colored glass roller bottle to mix and apply your essential oil. This will prevent your oil from spoiling and spilling, and will also provide an easy application.
Apply the diluted Vetiver oil to your big toes and soles of your feet before bed, allow your body at least 30 seconds to absorb the oil before putting socks on or covering up with a blanket.
Be careful not to use too much oil, your body will only absorb a small amount and the rest will remain on the surface of your skin. Any remaining oil on your skin’s surface will likely rub off on your bedding and stain it. I recommend wearing socks to bed after applying oil to your feet to prevent getting oil on your bedding.
Aromatherapy with a cool mist essential oil diffuser is recommended rather than using a candle lit, or heated diffuser. When using a cool mist diffuser add cold water to the fill line and 3-5 drops of Vetiver essential oil. Place your diffuser close to your bed and turn it on 30 min before bed time. You can set your diffuser to run for as long as you like, it is safe to diffuse this oil continuously as you sleep.
Both methods are effective, I recommend trying both, and then chose whichever option you prefer.
My recommendations
Always use therapeutic grade essential oils otherwise your results may not be as expected. doTerra is a great trusted brand, each batch goes through an intensive testing process to ensure quality and safety.
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to get a better nights sleep by using Vetiver essential oil. Don’t forget to share this with your friends on social media so you can all sleep well!
Aimee