Snoring can interfere with a good night’s sleep, either for you or the person who sleeps next to you. There are nights that snoring is so ferocious that it is impossible to drown out the noise. Since sleeping with noise canceling headphones isn’t the most comfortable, it’s time to find a better way to handle the problem. If you or someone you know has to deal with snoring, the essential oils in this article may come to your rescue.
What Causes Snoring?
There are several factors that contribute to snoring. Alcohol consumption, body weight, allergies, general congestion, and the anatomy of the mouth can all cause snoring. After you fall asleep and transition from light sleep to deep sleep, the muscles in the roof of the mouth, tongue, and throat relax. The tissues in the throat relax enough to partially block the airway and vibrate. Airflow becomes more forceful the more narrow the airway is, increasing the tissue vibration that causes louder snoring.
Because snoring has several different causes, different remedies may work to address specific causes. Essential oils can be a great way to naturally combat snoring, but they won’t always work to get rid of snoring. If snoring is caused by general congestion, colds, or allergies, essential oils are a great place to start. Use the following oils to help encourage healthier breathing and reduce or eliminate snoring.
Thyme Essential Oil
Arguably one of the best essential oils for snoring, thyme essential oil works to improve respiratory health and soothe the nervous system. This combination may lead to better breathing and sleep. The scent is fresh, herbaceous, and helps to support immune function. If snoring is a result of asthma, bronchitis, or laryngitis symptoms, thyme essential oil is an excellent choice for your diffuser.
Vetiver Essential Oil
A lot of sleep experts recommend people to use vetiver oil to reduce snoring. Vetiver essential oil works to improve breathing by allowing you to inhale and exhale more fully. Improving airflow is a great step towards reducing snoring. As a bonus, several studies show that vetiver essential oil may reduce anxiety and promote better sleep.
Marjoram Essential Oil
The effectiveness of marjoram essential oil as a snoring remedy varies from person to person. This is because each person reacts to marjoram’s aroma, or any aroma for that matter, in a different way. A few studies of people who snored reported that participants stopped snoring on the first night using marjoram essential oil. Other snorers had to use it in a diffuser for six weeks to stop snoring. It works to open up the airway passages, which is why experts believe it helps you to not snore.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is one of the best herbal decongestants in existence, helping to open your airways with its anti-inflammatory properties. Working to clear out mucus in the nose and respiratory tract, eucalyptus essential oil eases your ability to breathe freely. For the best results, eucalyptus essential oil is best taken via steam inhalation. It exhibits a strong, earthy, woody aroma that is quite wonderful.
Peppermint Essential Oil
Similar to eucalyptus essential oil, peppermint essential oil helps promote decongestion. By allowing you to breathe more easily, peppermint essential oil is great for relieving symptoms of sinusitis and asthma. This essential oil also happens to be a popular snoring remedy. The active ingredient, menthol, exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that help clear up your airways. Peppermint has a cool refreshing aroma and combining it with lavender essential oil in a diffuser is a great way to promote relaxation and healthier sleep.
