Which essential oils are best for sleep?

July 25, 2024

There is so much research out there about ways to help us fall and stay asleep at night. But what is one of the easiest ones to implement? The use of essential oils in your night time routine.

An essential oil is a concentrated liquid containing plant chemical compounds. They are obtained through distillation, and have some of the characteristics, including fragrance, from the plant source it is extracted from. But there are hundreds of different oils out there; how do you know which ones are best used for sleep?

1. Lavender is shown to have calming effects by reducing anxiety and stress. 

2. Chamomile helps bring a sense of calm and relaxation.

3. Bergamont is shown to help reduce blood pressure and heart rate, which would help one fall asleep easier. 

4. Peppermint may help alleviate inflammation when applied topically, which would help those with pain rest easier.

5. Cedarwood has also been shown to help with pain management while also helping reduce stress and anxiety. 

6. Sandalwood is a woody smelling oil believed to help calm and improve one's mood.

 

Now that you know what oils may help, what is the best way to use them? They can be used in two main ways: inhalation through the use of a diffusor or by mixing with a carrier oil and topically applied. You can also use single oils, or purchase a blend of a few oils with properties believed to aid in sleep. Some suggested blends are Dream, Good Night, and Sweet Slumber. These all contain differing combinations of the above mentioned essential oils. If you want a set of blends so you can choose your favorite, this one is a good place to start. Every person is different, so play around with different mixes of oils to see what works best for you!

Once you have chosen which oils you want to try, you can decide how you want to use them. To use topically, these blends can be mixed with a carrier oil  and applied to the pulse points. Another method of use would be to get the scent into the air through a diffusor. Diffusors are simple to use and only require a little bit of water in addition to the essential oils. They come in several different styles and colors; some of our suggestions are here.

Essential oils are a perfect addition to your bedtime routine because they are affordable and simple to use. For more sleep time tricks, check out our other blog posts and product recommendations. 

 

 

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