Snoring can be life-altering in that it disturbs the sleep, and the sleep of those who share a bed with you or even nearby rooms if the walls are thin enough. Snoring can leave you tired, listless, affect your concentration and more.
It can also be annoying, irritating and cause the person snoring pain if the number of sharp elbows in the side they receive each night is anything to go by.
There are a great number of treatments available to help you stop snoring naturally, including breathing exercises and exercising the jaw however many are turning to essential oils for snoring relief and it is clear to see why. The most popular treatment for snoring is the use of a mouthpiece such as SnoreRx or Zyppah.
Before we explore treating snoring with essential oils we should probably have a think about the causes of snoring as this will reinforce the holistic use of essential oils as a treatment for snoring.
There are a number of reasons that cause people to snore, some of which are easier to deal with than others.
All of these are treatable in various ways, some by making lifestyle changes, some by using snoring mouthpieces, doing exercises and of course by using essential oils.
Simply put, an essential oil is a natural oil which is sourceddirect from a flower, plant or herb. This oils are captured via distillation and retain the scent its host was known for. For example, rose oil comes from a rose and the scent of the oil would be identical to the scent of a rose in your hand, although stronger if undiluted!
There is much evidence that a great number of cultures worldwide have been using essential oils for the treatment of ailments and other wellbeing-related treatments for thousands of years. The use of essential oils is referred to as aromatherapy.
There are hundreds of essential oils around and of course they may be combined in any number of different ways to create new fragrances. Oils such as this are not simply perfumes, their pungent yet pleasing scents have been attributed to helping ailments from stress and anxiety, to headaches, pain and more.
Here are a few essential oils you can use for treating snoring:
The beauty of aromatherapy is that it may be used as a holistic treatment alongside lifestyle changes and /or any mouthpiece or guard for stopping snoring that works for you.
Again, the type of essential oil that you would turn to would depend on the perceived cause of your snoring however as a general rule of thumb try these oils and combinations to treat snoring.
Cause & Symptoms | Best Essential Oils |
---|---|
Blocked nose, colds, congestion or an inflammatory condition. | Thyme, Sandalwood, Cedar Wood, Peppermint, Pine Needle. |
Infection-related inflammation | Lavender, Thyme, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Cedar Wood, Marjoram. |
Allergies | Geranium, Blue Tansy, Chamomile (German and Roman), Lavender. |
These are just a few of the essential oils that are known to help with snoring andof course are sorted into known causes. Other essential oils known to aid snoring include Lemon, Sage, Rosemary, Citronella, Clove and Melissa.
If you aren’t sure why you are snoring, try a variety of different oils. Many of these examples mix very well to create a pleasant, calming and healing effect and it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a combination that works for you.
It certainly is! While not a huge number of official studies have been undertaken regarding the use of essential oils to treat snoring, those that have shown largely positive results. In 2004 such a report was published after a study at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital
Research carried out in the UK at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital was published in 2004 suggests that snoring can be effectively treated with essential oils. The study took place in their snoring clinic and participants (140 used either a gargle or a spray with various essential oils) reported a marked improvement (as did partners!) after two weeks.
There are a number of ways to use essential oils, particularly in the treatment of snoring however firstly it is important to be aware of the need to handle essential oils carefully.
When purchasing essential oils ensure that you are buying the real thing and that the quality is assured. While there is no “Kitemark” or industry standard for essential oils using a reputable seller, being wary of overly cheap oils and checking oils out before use (if they don’t smell like the real thing they likely aren’t) are all good ways to protect yourself from poor copies.
Not only are poor quality essential oils unlikely to offer you the desired effects, they are a waste of money and could be potentially harmful.
DIFFUSER OR ROOM SPRAY
A diffuser or room spray is an ideal way to surround yourself with your chosen essential oils, breathing them in and letting them get to work. The results (for snoring) using this method are encouraging.
GARGLING
Gargling, if done carefully can also help with the treatment of snoring, particularly if gargled before bed. Peppermint is most commonly used for this (that has been diluted!), you just need to ensure that you don’t swallow any of the oils.
STEAM BATH
A few drops of your
HOME-MADE MASSAGE OIL
Use essential oils as a home-made massage oil (using a carrier oil) before bed. This will relax you and is a great way to ensure you get your fix of healing aroma. Use on your feet (very effective!), chest and neck for best results.
Snoring can be a real pain, as not only does it affect you in terms of tiredness it may also affect your relationships as snoring has been known to be linked to sex issues. Let’s face it, snoring can have a seriously detrimental effect on you, your life and those around you and so it is worth considering your treatment options, including using essential oils for snoring relief.
Thankfully the use of aromatherapy and essential oils for aiding snoring has been well documented and practiced by many. Dr Josh Axe is one of many doctors who advocate their use alongside other treatments. Using oils alongside otherrecognised snoring treatments can have a hugely positive effect. With the right combination of treatments, you could well be able to significantly reduce episodes of snoring or get rid of them altogether.
Aromatherapy is known as acomplimentary therapy and is not meant to replace professional medical care. If you have concerns about your health, snoring or anything else please see a health professional. Likewise get advice before starting any treatments, including holistic ones such as using essential oils.
Hi, I'm Helen Hudson a health geek mom to two awesome boys. Wife of a snoring husband. Photographer, writer and Co-Editor at snorenation.com