Does Lavender Really Help You Sleep Better?

Lavender has a soothing reputation as a natural alternative to help you relax, unwind and let go of stress. But you’ve got to wonder. Does it really work? The good news is that it does. And as an added bonus, it  pharmacists of the Middle Ages were correct, it has aphrodisiac qualities, too.

Where’s the Evidence?

For many years people have recommended a range of lavender scented products to enhance sleep, but is there any supporting evidence?

The answer is yes. According to a study at Southampton University, England, lavender can increase your sleep quality by 20%. Although only a small study, which took place among a group of 10 people, 5 were exposed to lavender during sleep and the other 5 people were exposed to almond oil as a placebo. The 5 people exposed to lavender reported a 20% overall better sleep experience.

If that’s coincidence, it’s a pretty big one. 20% is a fairly big number too.

But Can Lavender Actually Make You Fall Asleep?

No, that just isn’t possible – otherwise bees would be falling asleep all the time. Other research has documented that lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, thus inducing a feeling calm.

So lavender is effectively a natural relaxant, of which there are many others of course, including camomile tea which contains similar mood relaxing properties. Even burning incense in your room will induce a relaxed state of mind.

For those who endure serious bouts of bad sleep, lavender is not going to be a magic solution. But it help you relax and slip into a sleepy state. So can lavender help you sleep? Yes it can. It’s not a myth!

So the good news is you can start using lavender scented product in your room as a good sleep hygiene tool to improve the quality of your sleep that bit further. Try putting some lavender oil on your pillow tonight.