Do you have insomnia or have a hard time going to sleep? Here are the best essential oils for sleep that can help relax your body and calm your mind.
Adults need 7-9 night hours of sleep a night. Unfortunately, estimates suggest that somewhere between 50-70 Million people suffer from some type of sleep disorder.
If you are looking for an inexpensive but effective way to improve your night’s rest, read on to learn how to use essential oils for sleep.
How Smells Affects Your Body
We have all had a smell take us to a different place or time. The sense of smell connects to our brain’s centers of memory and emotion, the amygdala. The smell is the only sense that travels to a unique location in the brain, the rest travel to the thalamus, first.
Essential Oils for Sleep
The oils listed below are not the only ones that help with sleep. If one doesn’t work for you, try another. Keep in mind that because smells are so powerful, everyone reacts differently. You can also experiment with altering strengths to find the right one for you.
Lavender
This may be one of the most popular essential oils for sleep and relaxation. Research has repeatedly shown that lavender has anxiety-reducing, or anxiolytic, effects.
Ylang-Ylang
Springing from the branches of the Cananga tree in Indonesia, ylang-ylang oil helps with reducing hypertension. It also has a sedative effect which aids in sleep.
Valerian
Valerian may not have the same reputation as chamomile or lavender when it comes to promoting sleep, but people have used it to ease insomnia since the 17th century.
Neroli
Neroli is often overlooked as an essential oil for sleep. The oil comes from the blossom of a bitter orange tree. Neroli produces a calming effect, particularly when blended with lavender oil and chamomile.
Sandalwood
Effective at easing anxiety, sandalwood also has sedative effects and increases non-REM sleep. Note, sandalwood affects physical relaxation but increases wakefulness and alertness in some people.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood has a comforting, woodsy scent. Cedarwood, like ylang-ylang, is an effective sedative and decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
Vanilla
Many people love the smell of vanilla but it also helps with sleep. If you love the smell of vanilla when you bake cookies, this might be the right essential oil for you.
Rose and Geranium
Both of these oils reduce stress and anxiety, on their own. They are also often combined with other essential oils to enhance their effects.
Jasmine
Jasmine improves sleep quality. Jasmine also helps cut down on restless sleeping and increased alertness during the day. It may also deliver anxiety-reducing effects, possibly better than lavender.
Ways to Use Essential Oils for Sleep
Here are some ways to use essential oil for sleep:
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Add oil in your nightly bath,
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Use a diffuser,
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Make a mist – for every ½ cup of water, use 4-5 drops of essential oil, or less if the scent is too strong,
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Apply directly to your body. Caution – Never use undiluted essential oils on your skin. To make your own oil combine fragrant essential oil of your choice and a carrier oil (often a vegetable oil).
Looking for the Right Essential Oil?
You can use essential oils for sleep, but they are also useful for many other things. If you are unsure of where to start, we can help you find the right supplements for a healthy life. Check out our store for a variety of essential oils, vitamins, supplements, and more that will help you live your best life!