You know how you can’t sleep because your mind is racing with thoughts all night? Well, there are some essential oils for sleep that can help. It’s a scientific fact that fragrance has the power to evoke powerful memories and emotions. Therefore, essential oils can be used to induce sleep. Some of the most popular and well-known scents will soothe nerves, calm anxiety, relieve pain from headaches or body aches, and even help with insomnia.
Essential oils are great for those who have trouble sleeping because some oils encourage oxytocin production which reduces stress levels by lowering blood pressure while increasing serotonin (a neurotransmitter) content in your brain – all of these help you drift off into slumberland quicker than ever before!
So, what are the best essential oils for sleep?
Essential Oils for Sleep and Stress
1. Lavender Oil
Lavender is known to have calming properties which many find helpful in combating insomnia or restless nights; this makes it one of the absolute best essential oils for sleep. This calming oil has been shown to be effective for people who have trouble sleeping due to anxiety and mental exhaustion. Lavender essential oil contains a chemical called linalool which helps calm an overactive brain, thereby bringing on sleep.
Start winding down your day and get ready for bed with these easy tips on how to use essential oils for sleep! For a relaxing evening, diffuse lavender in the background of your living room. You can also put it under your pillow or rub some onto temples after you have taken off makeup at night. The smell will help send signals to brain cells that are responsible for regulating our moods which helps us relax faster than usual before we go into a deep sleep.
You can also add 3-5 drops into hot water or under your favorite scented candle for an experience that will help soothe your mind before bedtime.
2. Peppermint Oil
Using peppermint essential oil can help you calm down and sleep. Peppermint is a common household product that many people use to freshen their breath, but did you know it also helps with relaxation?
This cool scent has the ability to reduce stress levels by balancing your nervous system, in addition to its calming properties on neurotransmitters like serotonin, which play an important role in mood regulation.
If using before bed seems impossible because of how strong scents are typically perceived at night (and may even keep some from falling asleep), try diffusing or applying topically when bathing or showering instead! (Remember to always dilute essential oils before topical application)
Peppermint also works well because it smells so nice that we associate this scent with feeling happy or content – allowing us to drift off into sleepy bliss quicker than ever before!
3. Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil will suffice if peppermint isn’t really your thing. Chamomile is typically associated with decreasing anxiety levels and feelings of tension while providing relief from pain. This is the reason it always makes the list of top essential oils for sleep and stress relief.
This essential oil has a calming, relaxing effect that can help you fall asleep. It is also commonly used to treat stomach problems and skin ailments because of its anti-inflammatory properties which may reduce itching related to eczema or rashes caused by dry skin.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Have trouble sleeping? Try eucalyptus oil! It can help promote restful sleep and prevent insomnia. This natural essential oil is also great to use anytime you need a little boost of energy, especially when suffering from colds or other respiratory troubles like asthma or bronchitis.
Eucalyptus also has many anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful for treating rheumatic pain as well as muscle cramps and spasms due to its analgesic effects on the nervous system.
Studies have shown this plant extract may even be effective at reducing anxiety by acting upon neurotransmitters in our brainstem’s nucleus region which produces feelings of pleasure associated with reward stimuli such as food and sex while decreasing levels of cortisol.
You can use it by diffusing or by rubbing a few drops onto your pillowcase before bedtime to help you fall asleep faster and more deeply.
5. Neroli Oil
Neroli oil is great to help you sleep at night. It has many benefits including helping with insomnia, anxiety, and depression, and can soothe sore muscles or joints – which may be making it difficult for you to fall asleep.
This essential oil can be used to help with sleep issues because its smell in fragrances helps soothe anxiety and depression. It is great for calming down after an anxious day and has the ability to combat some cases of insomnia due to its aroma.
Studies have noted, however, that when taken orally or applied topically it can cause nausea as well as dizziness.
6. Vetiver Oil
Vetiver oil is a natural solution for those struggling with sleep. Vetiver EO has been used to help people fall asleep since ancient times, as it was believed that the smell of vetiver could induce drowsiness and calmness in humans, making it one of the best essential oils for sleep and relaxation.
Vetiver essential oil is used in a variety of ways, including aromatherapy and beauty products. It has been found to be highly effective at treating anxiety, stress, insomnia as well as muscle pain. Vetiver can also help you get rid of dandruff or excessive hair fall by massaging it into the scalp regularly over time for best results!
Vetiver essential oil is an incredibly useful product for reducing stress and combating skin conditions like acne and dryness.
So, vetiver and neroli are 2 great essential oils for sleep and stress reduction, especially when combined.
Other Great Essential Oils for Sleep
7. Sweet Orange Oil
Sweet orange essential oil is used in many different ways, from aromatherapy to cooking. It has a sweet smell like other citrus oils and it can help with anxiety relief as well as uplift the mood of those around you.
Sweet orange EO can also be used to treat a variety of physical and mental conditions. It is also known as d-limonene, which has been shown in clinical studies to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis, ulcers, bronchitis, or asthma.
Additionally, it contains powerful antioxidants that protect the body’s cells from free radicals damage caused by pollution and other environmental toxins; this helps support overall health while slowing down aging.
Sweet orange works wonderfully when diffused because its pleasing citrus scent makes your home feel more relaxed throughout stressful days.
8. Ylang-ylang Oil
Ylang-ylang essential oil is known for its many uses. It can help with anxiety and stress as it helps to calm the mind, reduce worries, boost confidence in oneself through self-awareness, improving concentration on tasks at hand, and eliminating distractions. This is why you should add ylang-ylang to your list of essential oils for sleep and calm.
Ylang-ylang also increases the sensitivity of all 5 senses: vision (enhancing creativity), taste & smell (heighten sense perception), and sound/touch which makes you more aware of your body sensations including muscle tension or pain that may not have been noticed before.
Ylang-ylang oil also brings about positive change such as increased motivation towards goals because you become less resistant toward your goals.
Additionally, ylang-ylang essential oil has an aphrodisiac effect when diffused in a bedroom.
9. Marjoram Oil
Marjoram essential oil has been known to have relaxing properties that can be used before sleep. It is especially good for those who suffer from insomnia or chronic sleeping problems. Marjoram EO helps people fall asleep quickly, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling more refreshed than ever before without any grogginess in the morning.
This makes marjoram essential oil a great option if you are someone who wants to improve your quality of life by improving your overall health with natural alternatives instead of pharmaceutical drugs.
10. Melissa Oil
Melissa essential oil is used for stress relief, improving sleep quality, and boosting energy.
This oil has been known throughout history as a natural remedy for many ailments including anxiety, depression, insomnia, and fatigue.
It’s also useful as an immune system booster in case of colds or flu season coming up! It has been shown that Melissa oil reduces mucus production, which might make it a good choice for this purpose.
Melissa EO is great for relieving pain associated with arthritis and sore muscles.
The essential oil of Melissa may also have sedative properties which explains why it is used to promote relaxation and sleep.
Melissa is also known for its effects on mood regulation – studies show that using aromatherapy with certain scents positively impacts emotions by decreasing anxiety levels and increasing feelings of calmness; this makes sense considering how calming the scent itself seems!
Essential Oil Blends for Sleep and Calm
Aromatherapy is a great way to get better sleep. There are many essential oils for sleep enhancement, and blends of two or more of such oils can be especially effective as well for promoting drowsiness before bedtime. Here are some essential oil blends for sleep.
Essential Oils Blends for Sleep
1. Dream Away:
You will need:
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Roman chamomile
4 drops Melissa
3 drops Marjoram
20 ml carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oils. Combine oils in an empty roller bottle.
Let this oil mixture sit for 24 hours until ready to use. Apply 1 teaspoon onto soles of feet at night when you feel restless – this will help promote relaxation. You can also mix the essential oils in your diffuser and skip the carrier oil.
2. Tranquility
This formulation is hard to beat when you are beaten. If you are so tired that you just can’t settle in for a good night’s sleep, this blend will have you well on your way in no time.
You will need:
7 drops Vetiver
5 drops Lavender
3 drops Sweet orange
Combine oils in a diffuser and relax!
3. Good Night Essential Oil Blend for Sleep
Neroli essential oil has been used throughout history to calm the nerves and to accommodate a great night’s sleep. You will love the wonderful, rich scent too!
You will need:
10 drops Neroli essential oil
5 drops of Sweet orange EO
1 Drop of Jasmine essential oil
Combine oils in a diffuser and enjoy the goodness.
You can also place the EOs along with a carrier oil in a hot tub for total relaxation.
Remember to dilute essential oils properly before any topical application.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5376423/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/