There is nothing more frustrating than lying in bed, waiting to fall asleep, but instead, you hear the clock ring every hour. What essential oils promote sleep? Most of you are familiar with lavender’s soothing characteristics and the benefits of chamomile tea to induce relaxation and, hopefully, sleep.
Lavender has been used for centuries in aromatherapy and is viewed as a highly effective sleeping aid because of a sedative component called linalool. It helps by soothing the nervous system, making you relax before bedtime.
Many people steer clear from prescribed or over-the-counter medications to help them fall asleep and prefer to use natural products and remedies to help them fall asleep. Here are our top seven recommendations for essential oils that promote better sleep.
What Essential Oils Promote Sleep?
Ylang-Ylang
Not only does ylang-ylang smell wonderful with its spicy, sweet, and floral aromas, but it’s also been used frequently during meditation and yoga practices to promote relaxation. It helps to slow your breathing and brings forth a sense of calm, which most of us can benefit from after a frustrating and tense day at the office.
Frankincense
Frankincense is one of my favourite essential oils. Not only is it an excellent oil to aid various skin-related ailments, but it has been used for hundreds of years during prayer and meditation rituals. So, if you’re feeling stressed, restless, or simply struggle to dose off, the soothing and calming aroma of frankincense can help to settle your thoughts and prepare your body for a peaceful night’s rest.
Neroli
Neroli is frequently referred to as the rescue remedy because it promotes feelings of calmness and gives you a much-needed spiritual lift if you’re feeling agitated. The harmonious blend of floral and citrus notes induces a sense of clarity and tranquillity before settling down for sleep.
Chamomile
Chamomile is an excellent, gentle essential oil with an herbaceous, sweet smell that is suitable for kids over the age of two. A cup of chamomile tea can do wonders for inducing sleep when you’re struggling to fall asleep.
Related: Essential Oils For Anxiety – Do They Work?
Mandarin
Mandarin is not as potent-smelling as orange essential oil but has a gentler and soft scent. It can also be used for children over the age of two years that need soothing. If your brain is not switching off and sleep is evading you, the sweet, feel-good aroma of mandarin might be just what you need to drift off to dreamland. You can add this oil to a diffuser to fill the room with its soothing scent.
Lavender
This essential oil doesn’t need an introduction because most are familiar with its relaxing and soothing properties, which help induce sleep. It is well-known for supporting the heart, easing the mind, and relaxing the body. It has been used since ancient times as an aromatherapeutic aid.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is another great oil to help improve sleep and one or two drops under your pillow can help open your chest and ease breathing while asleep. Peppermint oil is frequently used for bringing down stress levels and calming anxiety, especially for those who struggle to fall asleep because their brains not switching off due to work-related or other stress factors.
How To Utilize Essential Oils for Sleep
There are a few effective uses for essential oils before bedtime.
- Electric diffuser – add a few drops of essential oil to an electric diffuser. Since many varieties has a timer, it will turn off automatically.
- Warming in your hands – it can be as simple as placing a few drops of essential and carrier oil in your hands and warming them up before taking a few deep breaths – inhaling the beautiful aromas.
- Under your pillow – you can add a drop or two of essential oil under your pillow. You can also use a washcloth or any other piece of cloth if you don’t want to put the oil directly onto your pillowcase or bed linen.
- Aromatherapy in the shower – you can add one or two drops of your favourite sleep-inducing essential oil to your washcloth and hand it in the shower. When the steam from a hot shower rises, it will carry the beautiful smell with it – enjoying your very own spa-like experience.
- In your foot bath – last but not least, you can add warm water and a drop of two essential oil to your foot bath. Soak your feet in the bath while inhaling the soothing smell in the air.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’ve enjoyed my post about what essential oils promote sleep, and that you will put some of them to the test to see if they help you enjoy a restful night’s sleep.
- Important safety notice: please remember that essential oils are highly potent and must be used correctly. Always buy 100% pure essential oils from reputable suppliers and make sure you read the instructions carefully, especially when used for children. Never use essential oils directly on the skin, but mix it with a carrier oil like olive oil or coconut oil first when applying it topically.
Sending you much love, light, and aromatherapeutic vibes!
Anthea
