Lavender is a light floral, soothing scent and is well-known for its calming effects on the body. Lavender is popular essential oil that’s long been associated with relaxation and sleep and used as a natural remedy for anxiety.  

A number of studies point to lavender’s effectiveness for promoting an atmosphere that is conducive to a good night of sleep by improving sleep quality, increasing sleep amounts, and elevating daytime alertness. In addition to supporting healthy sleep, this oil is also a great way to freshen up laundry and fragrance your home without harsh chemicals or synthetics.  

When you want to take advantage of the calming properties of Lavender oil, consider the following uses: 

·   Diffuse Lavender in the bedroom to relax before bed and prepare for a restful night of sleep. 

·  Add a few drops of Lavender to a warm bath after a long, stressful day to help ease tense feelings 

2. Ylang Ylang 

Ylang Ylang means “flower of flowers.” Derived from yellow, star-shaped flowers found on the tropical Ylang Ylang tree,  this oil has several impressive qualities—including its ability to uplift the mood while also having a calming effect. This essential oil is said to offer a variety of health benefits. The sweet and spicy floral aroma of Ylang Ylang oil has been known to lessen feelings of stress and tension, while simultaneously promoting a positive outlook.  Ylang Ylang is a unique, must-have oil with a wide variety of uses, just a few of them listed below: 

·  This oil is a delight to diffuse 30 minutes before bedtime and throughout the night Combine a few drops of Ylang Ylang oil with Epsom salts and place in a warm bath to promote relaxation. 

·   Apply Ylang Ylang to the back of the neck for a calming, uplifting effect. 

·   Rub Ylang Ylang oil on the wrists for a natural perfume that will give off a soothing and calming aroma throughout the day. 

Because vetiver essential oil is distilled from the roots of the plant, it smells very rich and earthy. The rich, exotic aroma of Vetiver is quite unique; however, it has the ability to promote grounded, calm feelings after a busy or frazzled day. Whether you are trying to create a calm atmosphere at home for your family or need to feel grounded again after an emotional day, Vetiver can be very useful for promoting the type of calm feelings you desire. This is another great oil to try for sleep because it is psychologically grounding, calming and stabilizing.  Here are a few ideas for using Vetiver on a daily basis: 

·  After a difficult day, massage Vetiver oil into the neck and feet to promote feelings of calm. 

·  Diffuse with other calming essential oils to help calm emotions and lessen stress. 

·   When you need to calm your emotions, place a drop of Vetiver in the hands, rub the palms together, and inhale the aroma  

4. Chamomile 

You may be familiar with drinking chamomile tea before bed, but did you know chamomile essential oil can also be a helpful sleep aid? Chamomile oil is known to have calming effects on the skin, mind, and body. In ancient times, the Romans used chamomile oil to promote calming feelings of courage before going off to war.  

This oil is perfect for restlessness and anxious feelings. It has a light, floral scent and is wonderful for creating a peaceful atmosphere in your bedroom. 

Check out a few simple ways that you might enjoy using Chamomile oil during your daily routine: 

·  Try one or two drops of Chamomile oil to your herbal tea to help soothe the body and mind. 

·  Apply Chamomile to the chest over the heart for feelings of well-being. 

·  When you find yourself in a bad mood, diffuse Chamomile oil to help soothe feelings of anger and irritability 

Vanilla is easily one of the most popular and recognizable scents and flavors in the world. The sweet scent of vanilla is appealing to many people, and it has a long history of use for relaxation and stress relief. Vanilla is widely credited as a calming substance that creates positive associations and evokes feelings of warmth and happiness. That’s one of the primary reasons that vanilla is used in so many bath and body products: it evokes such a relaxing sensation. Vanilla can have sedative effects on the body and promote sleep quality.  

Vanilla works on both a physical and mental level to help you relax. It quiets the mind and relieves tension, so you’re lulled more easily to sleep. When used in a diffuser in the bedroom for a short period of time before bed, vanilla essential oil can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. 

 6. SANDALWOOD

With a rich, woody, earthy scent, sandalwood has an ancient history of use for relaxation and anxiety relief. Sandalwood tree is particularly useful for enhancing mood, promoting smooth skin when used topically, and providing grounding and uplifting feelings during meditation when used aromatically. The rich, sweet aroma and versatility of Sandalwood oil makes it a unique oil, useful in everyday life.   

The aroma of Sandalwood oil will help settle and balance emotions. To take advantage of these benefits, apply one to two drops of Sandalwood oil to the palms of your hands. Then, cup your hands around your nose and inhale for up to 30 seconds. This will help lessen tension and balance emotions.  

Consider diffusing Sandalwood oil in your bedroom after a long, stressful day, or before meditation to promote an uplifting atmosphere.  

Neroli is derived from bitter orange tree blossoms and has a clean floral aroma with undertones of pepper and orange. Neroli essential oil is a wonderful sleep remedy as its hypnotic and soothing properties can help relax your mind, as well as relieve insomnia, grief, and feelings of despair. It has also been shown to reduce blood pressure, ease agitation, and benefit your overall wellbeing.  

If you are struggling to sleep, try taking a warm bath and adding a few drops of neroli oil. It is recommended using neroli sparingly as it’s one of the most expensive of the essential oils. 

 8. Marjoram

Marjoram essential oil is steam distilled from leaves and it’s known as the “herb of happiness” to the Romans and “joy of the mountains” to the Greeks. This oil is extremely soothing and relaxes the nerves. Marjoram essential oil has many uses including its ability to aid sleep. It can be applied topically to the back of your neck to relieve stress, and it is a popular oil to calm children before naps. 

Add a few drops to your pillow, diffuse in your room while readying for bed, or mix 3-5 drops into a lavender linen spray for a calming bedtime mist.  

Frankincense is thought to be the most valuable of all essential oils and, according to the bible it was even gifted to baby Jesus.  Frankincense is a wonderful sleep aid because of its aroma therapeutic benefits. It’s perfect for balancing emotions, supporting healthy sleep, calming your mind and supporting your body’s natural response to healing. 

It is said to help relieve stress and promote relaxation. Try placing a few drops of oil into your hands, rub your palms together, and inhale before laying down to sleep.  

 10. Cedarwood

Cedarwood has a unique woodsy scent. If you aren’t keen on the smell, it mixes well with lavender oil for a potent and relaxing blend. 

Cedarwood essential oil supports healthy function of the pineal gland, which releases melatonin, the body’s natural sleepy hormones. If you struggle with insomnia, you may want to try incorporating cedarwood into your nightly routine. An essential oil with natural sedative properties, it is said that cedarwood is emotionally grounding and promotes the feelings of safety and tranquility.   Try mixing 5 drops of each oil in your diffuser as you prepare for bed.  

How to use essential oils for sleep and relaxation 

Many of my people are interested in using essential oils for better sleep, but they’re not sure how. Here are some simple guidelines to get you started: 

Add oil to your bath. This is a great way to get the relaxation and sleep benefits of aromatherapy while also taking advantage of the sleep-promoting effects of a warm soak. Put several drops of your favorite oil into your bathwater and schedule your soaking time for 90 minutes to an hour before your bedtime. 

Use a diffuser. Diffusers will disperse oils into the air in your room. Typically, you add water and oil, in amounts set by the manufacturer. Follow their instructions. 

Make your own mist. You can combine essential oil and water in a spray bottle or atomizer and spray around your room or give a light mist to your bed linens. I recommend spraying the underside of your pillow to avoid any skin irritation. For every ½ cup of water, use 4-5 drops of essential oil, or less if the scent is too strong. 

Apply to the body directly. Some people find it soothing to apply essential oils to pressure points, like the wrists or behind the ears, or use oils to give themselves a light self-massage. (Massage for–or from–your bed partners work great, too!)  

Essential oils in undiluted form are highly concentrated and intense and can irritate your skin.  

Do not apply undiluted essential oil to your skin. If you’re planning to use essential oils topically on your body, be sure you’re using a diluted mixture of the fragrant essential oil of your choice and a carrier oil (often a vegetable oil). 

As you’re using essential oils, pay attention to how you feel. Scent is a highly individual experience. Each of us react to smells differently. The right scents for your relaxation and sleep are the ones that make you feel relaxed and sleepy!  

You may need to experiment with different oils before you find the right one for your nightly routine.  

If a scent makes you feel alert and awake, it is NOT the right one for sleep. But you can use it in the morning to help get you rolling into your day. 

Remember to always seek advice from your health professional and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read here.  

The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website