Sleep apnea is a condition in which you temporarily stop breathing, or more realistically, have pauses in breath. The snoring that goes along with it can be frustrating and keep you from getting the sleep that you need. Roughly 22 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and the condition can be a serious one. Price Fielder, of the Texas Rangers baseball team, stopped breathing a massive 39 times in an hour during a sleep study. Sleep apnea is usually diagnosed either by lab studies or at home with a Watchpat. Thankfully, there are simple and natural ways to treat the symptoms. Essential oils are one of the best ways to help you breathe easier and sleep better. First of all, we need to understand a little more about sleep apnea and how essential oils will help you breathe easier, literally. Our Top Picks For Essential Oils For Sleep Apnea Click Here To Check Latest Price Image Model Size (ml) Price Rating Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil 10 Click Here To Check Latest Price Plant Therapy Thyme Thymol Essential Oil 10 Click Here To Check Latest Price Plant Therapy Lavender Essential Oil 10 Click Here To Check Latest Price Certified USDA Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil 30 Click Here To Check Latest Price Plant Therapy USDA Certified Organic Frankincense Serrata Essential Oil 10 Click Here To Check Latest Price Prime Natural Breathe Blend 10 Click Here To Check Latest Price Sky Organics 100% Pure Organic Peppermint Oil 30 Click Here To Check Latest Price Banyan Botanicals Nasya Oil 30 Click Here To Check Latest Price Healing Properties Premium Chamomile Oil 10 Click Here To Check Latest Price Beauty Aura Thyme Essential Oil 118 Click Here To Check Latest Price The Two Different Types Of Sleep Apnea The word ‘apnea’ means ‘without breath’ and whilst all forms of sleep apnea cause a person to temporarily stop breathing, the root cause of the problem may be different. There are are three main types of sleep apnea; Obstructive Sleep Apnea – this is the most common form of sleep apnea and is caused by a blockage in the airway. This blockage is usually the soft tissue found in the back of the throat. Central Sleep Apnea – in this case, the airway isn’t blocked but the messages from the brain fail to signal the muscles to breathe. Mixed Sleep Apnea – as the name suggests, this type of sleep apnea is a combination of the two. Symptoms Of Sleep Apnea Whilst sleep apnea is more common amongst those who are over 40 and overweight, it’s not confined to this demographic. Young people, even children, can be sufferers of sleep apnea. There are some common symptoms that indicate sleep apnea as a problem, and these are not just related to your sleeping habits, your behavior during the day can help diagnose sleep apnea as a problem. Nighttime Symptoms Loud persistent snoring Pauses in breathing, noticed by a witness such as your partner Choking or gasping for air Restless sleep Frequent trips to the bathroom Daytime Symptoms Early morning headaches Excessive fatigue throughout the day Poor concentration Increased feelings of depression or irritability Sleepiness during everyday activities If you’re experiencing a combination of these symptoms, it’s best to seek advice from a medical or sleep professional. If left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to serious health problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure, impotence and poor memory function. Why Essential Oils Will Work Against Sleep Apnea Sleep apnea has many causes and professional treatment is crucial. However, essential oils can offer some relief and help you sleep more soundly. A better sleep will help improve function throughout the day and allow you to face the day with a little more energy. Many essential oils offer calming and soothing properties to help induce a more relaxing sleep. The anti-inflammatory qualities found in oils such as peppermint and eucalyptus oils help minimize irritation in the nasal passage. They can help keep tissues and membranes moist. In turn, air can move smoothly through the nostrils, reducing the effects of sleep apnea. Essential oils are also often safer than harsh medicines and do not have any long-term side effects. How Do I Use Oils Correctly? Essential oils can be used in a number of different ways to help relieve the symptoms associated with sleep apnea. Some oils are safe enough to be applied directly to your skin (sometimes mixed with warm water or a carrier oil). Simply massage a drop or two of oil onto the lower part of your nostrils before bed. This method provides instant, effective relief, but it also may be too strong for some people. Another, easy way is to combine the oil in a bowl with warm water. Cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl to inhale the oil. This method will help clear and lubricate your nasal passages before bed without causing any irritation to the skin. For relief that lasts through the night, use a diffuser. Simply place it beside your bed and fill with your chosen oil. The diffuser will dispense the oil all night long, allowing you to breathe easily! Finally, some oils can be massaged onto parts of your body that are seemingly unrelated to breathing. For example, lavender oil will have a positive effect on your sleep when massaged into your feet, neck and chest. The calming properties will help lull you into a restful sleep. The Best Essential Oils For Sleep Apnea There are many good essential oil companies, but one company, in particular, stands out from the crowd. Plant Therapy Essential Oils is a relatively new company, having only been started in 2011 by the husband and wife team of Chris and Amanda Jones. They offer high quality oils for a fraction of what some of the other leading companies charge. What’s more, they also have aromatherapists as part of their team to help find the oils that’ll help you the most. So, let’s talk about Plant Therapy’s five best essential oils to stop snoring and sleep apnea. Sweet Marjoram Essential Oil Sweet marjoram oil is at the top of the list of essential oils for sleep apnea. It can help open up the airways for easier breathing and can also strengthen the muscles in your throat to keep those airways open. Commonly used as a sedative, it’s also good for calming the nerves, which can help you sleep. To use sweet marjoram essential oil to stop snoring and calm sleep apnea, it’s best to use a diffuser specifically made for essential oils. You can also rub a couple of drops on the soles of your feet or under your toes. Check The Best Price Here Thyme Essential Oil Thyme oil is often used to treat different respiratory issues and therefore it’s a wonderful essential oil for sleep apnea and snoring. That’s because it helps to open up your airways and makes it easier for you to breathe. Studies show that it has antispasmodic properties, which means that it helps prevent muscle spasms. On the other hand, it’s best not to use straight thyme oil on your skin as it can cause irritation. That means you should dilute it with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil, then apply it to your chest, feet, or under your nose. It can also be used in a diffuser while you sleep. Check The Best Price Here Lavender Essential Oil Lavender is a popular oil for many reasons, namely because it’s so helpful for relaxation. That’s precisely why it’s helpful for those who struggle with sleep apnea. It’s great for people who struggle with anxiety issues, and as a result it’s one of the best essential oils for sleep apnea, as stress can be a contributing factor. Try rubbing a few drops on your neck, chest, and feet before you go to sleep. You can also fill a small spray bottle with half rubbing alcohol and half water along with 10-20 drops of lavender oil and give your pillow a light mist. Before you know it, you’ll be drifting off to dreamland for a restful night’s sleep. Check The Best Price Here Eucalyptus Essential Oil Eucalyptus oil is fantastic when you have congestion from a cold or allergies that can aggravate your already frustrating sleep apnea. That’s because it’s anti-inflammatory and can help clear away mucus in your sinuses and throat so you’re able to breathe easier. Eucalyptus oil needs to be diluted with a carrier oil before it’s applied. It’s best to apply the diluted oil directly under your nose before you sleep. In addition, it’s a good idea to add a few drops to a bowl of steaming water, put a towel over your head and the bowl, and then inhale for a few minutes. Check The Best Price Here Frankincense Essential Oil Frankincense oil is one of the best oils for snoring. It’s anti-inflammatory and it can calm the irritated muscles in your throat caused by sleep apnea. It’s also an expectorant. That means it will help clear out mucus from the sinuses, throat, and lungs to make breathing easier and keep you from snoring. Rub a few drops of frankincense oil on your chest, feet, or under your nose. Another use is in a diffuser or, if you want, you can put a few drops on a washcloth and run it over your skin in a hot shower. Check The Best Price Here Although there are a few other oils that I’ve seen recommended, these five are the top essential oils for snoring and sleep apnea. All of Plant Therapy’s Essential Oils are 100% pure, undiluted, therapeutic grade, so you can be sure that you’re getting the highest quality product and at a great price! As an added benefit, Plant Therapy Essential Oils have a “KidSafe” line. Their website claims these are “the safest and most effective oils on the market” for children. All in all, I believe you can safely put your trust in Plant Therapy Essential Oils to help you with sleep apnea, snoring, and many other health issues that get in the way of you living your life to the full. But are there any other brands you can trust? Five More Essential Oils For Sleep Apnea Prime Natural Breathe Blend For the best combination of essential oils to help treat your sleep apnea, look no further than Prime Natural’s Breathe Blend. Made with a combination of eucalyptus, peppermint, tea tree and lavender, it provides a calming sensation as well as lubricating your nasal passages to help keep them clear and make breathing easier. It alleviates irritation and inflammation of the nasal passages to help minimize the symptoms that come with sleep apnea, allowing you (and your partner) to enjoy a lengthy, restful sleep. Simply use the dropper to safely add four drops to your diffuser and fall asleep to the pleasant and effective aroma! Check The Best Price Here Sky Organics 100% Pure Organic Peppermint Oil Peppermint oil provides a great anti-inflammatory response to help keep your nasal passages and airways open and clear. Sky Organics have created a pure, high quality oil that is free from harmful chemicals and additives. It can be applied directly to your chest to help with sinus relief, or added to a diffuser for all-night relief. To avoid irritation, it’s best to mix Sky Organics Peppermint Oil with a carrier oil, such as almond oil, before applying it to your skin. The versatility of this oil is second to none, offering a multitude of ways and uses to help keep your sleep apnea symptoms at bay. Check The Best Price Here Banyan Botanicals Nasya Oil The best thing about Nasya Oil by Banyan Botanicals is its easy application. To help keep your nasal passages clear all night, you need to keep them well lubricated and open, this oil does just that! To use Banyan Botanicals Nasya Oil, simply tilt your head backwards and apply 3-5 drops in each nostril and sniff. You’ll be provided with instant relief and it’s so easy to do. You can apply it throughout the night as you need it. The oil can also be applied to your fingers and you can massage it directly into your nostrils. The mix of oils is safe for most users, but advice should be sought from a medical professional if you’re pregnant or suffer from a medical condition. Check The Best Price Here Healing Properties Premium Chamomile Oil Chamomile has a long history with providing calming effects. This essential oil has been known to alleviate nervousness and boost calmness in central sleep apnea sufferers. The combination with jojoba oil offers a pleasant scent and works well in diffuser next to your bed. Alternatively, rub a few drops of oil directly onto your chest before bed and allow the soothing effects to lull you into a deep sleep. This oil helps take away some of the anxiety that many sleep apnea patients suffer from. By alleviating anxiety you’re more likely to experience and restful and high quality sleep. Check The Best Price Here Beauty Aura Thyme Essential Oil Thyme oil is loaded with anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. It works well to induce a restful sleep simply by massaging it into your feet. This is best done by combining thyme oil with another carrier oil, such as almond oil. Whilst this provides an instant effect, it must be known that applying thyme oil directly to your skin can be dangerous to those who suffer from high blood pressure. However, this doesn’t mean that the benefits of thyme oil can’t be enjoyed. It works well in a diffuser to provide relief to sleep apnea patients all night long. Beauty Aura Thyme Essential Oil is a little more expensive than other, similar oils on the market, but the easy dropper applicator makes it very simple to use. Check The Best Price Here In Conclusion… Whilst sleep apnea is a severe medical condition, there are some easy steps you can take to minimize the symptoms. Essential oils provide effective short-term relief, and are very cost-effective. You now know which oils are the best sleep aids. All you have to do is choose your oil and drift off into a peaceful and restful sleep, with minimal sleep apnea-related interruptions! Add Icon MAIN LABEL Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Molestiae, officia?