Essential Oils to Help you Sleep

Everyone needs to take a break form their hectic lifestyle and recharge their bodies batteries. One of the best way’s to do this is by getting a good nights sleep. But it’s not always that easy to put the stress’s of the day behind you, your mind is racing, thinking about what you’ve done today and making plans for tomorrow.

Sometimes you just can’t switch off. What you need is something to relax your body and even more so your mind.

That’s where the natural relaxing abilities of Essential Oils come in.

These oils have been used for thousands of years to help induce sleep. The reason for this is simple they work, essential oils have been tried and tested by generations of our ancestors. In addition, essential oils have many medicinal uses due to their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. For more information on the health benefits see our beginners guide to essential oils.

10 Best Essential Oils For Sleep

There a safe natural sleep aid and today we show you 10 of the best essential oils to help you sleep, relax and relieve the tension of a hard day. You can also combine two of three of these oils together for a unique scent. We then go on to show you how to use them.

1. Chamomile

Number one on our list is calming charming chamomile just like the herbal tea the essential oil has a calming relaxation effect on the body and mind. The best variation to use is Roman chamomile this will help with stress relief and give you a good night’s sleep. The floral scent radiates peace and calm.

2. Lavender

Lavender is the big daddy of essential oils due to it’s versatility and amazing health benefits. Lavenders rich aroma can give you a deeper more satisfying sleep. It’s many benefits include reducing anxiety, slowing the aging process by the power of it’s antioxidants and also alleviate headaches.

3. Jasmine

Jasmine has a beautiful fragrance making it a must have essential oil to add to your collection. The smell of jasmine will instantly relax your over-work mind. Jasmine is a proven mood booster(¹) helping to induce calm and relaxation. It’s many health benefits include: antidepressant, antiseptic, aphrodisiac, antispasmodic, expectorant.

4. Rose

The flowery scent of Rose is very relaxing and soothing. It’s also well known as a aphrodisiac. This oil was used way back by the Romans and ancient Greeks to perfume their baths. Simply add some rose petals to your own bath for the same effect. Another simple way of use, add Rose petals to a cup of boiling water and leave at the side of your bed. The aroma will fill your room and you will instantly feel it’s effects.

5. Sandalwood

The sweet and aromatic smell of sandalwood will help you doze off with a smile on your face and peace in your mind. It’s main therapeutic benefits include inducing calmness with clarity, focus your mind while being relaxed. Another interesting health benefit of sandalwood is that it can help decrease blood pressure (Hypotensive).

6. Lemon

There is a reason why lemon is added to so many herbal and pharmacy remedies and that’s because of it’s cleansing and purification properties. Lemon can help boost your mood and has been found to help fight depression. It can help with sleep by removing your restlessness and sleeplessness. If you suffer from insomnia this is a good help. Just to give you a sense of the health benefits of lemon at present there are 671 scientific studies(²) referring to lemon essential oil.

7. Benzoin Essential Oil

This oil is extracted from the Benzoin tree, the extracted oil is thick and golden coloured with an aroma likened to vanilla. This oil can be used with citrus essential oils especially Orange to give an even more amazing aromatic smell. Additional this oil brings the nervous system back to normal. Therefore if your feeling down it helps lift your mood. conversely it also has a tranquilizing effect on a normal nervous-system. Benzoin oil is a great sedative and relaxant, helping you sleep right thought the night, yet feel refreshed in the morning.

8. Bergamot

Bergamot essential oil has a floral uplifting aroma. The flavonoids in Bergamot help to stimulate certain hormones in your body that give you the feelings of sedation and relaxation(³) . The oil boosts your dopamine and serotonin levels. This helps give you a happy and relaxed mood. Thus facilitating a better nights sleep.

9. Geranium

This oil has a floral and sweet smell that calms your mind and body. Geranium has a long history, dating back to the Egyptians, who used it to beatify the skin. Today it’s being used to help with many dermatological problems. For sleep this oil alleviates stress and anxiety and like Bergamote helps balance the hormones. As an added bonus it’s also a insect repellent.

10. Neroli

Neroli oil comes from the citrus family of essential oils. The oils big claim to fame, is that it’s the main ingredient in Eau-de-Cologne. Not only is it part of a world famous perfume but it has many health benefits: disinfectant, antispasmodic, deodorant, digestive, emollient, sedative. For our proposes it’s sedative qualities are the most important. These help calm your body and mind.

How to use Essential Oils for Sleep

Now that you know the best essential oils to help you sleep. It’s time to move on and discover how to use them.

Below are some methods to help you get a good nights sleep and wake feeling refreshed.

Method 1

If you haven’t got one then then why not invest in a diffuser. As this is one of the best and easiest methods to use the oils. Simply added 2 drops of oil to the water in the diffuser about an hour before you go to bed.

Method 2

If you don’t have a Diffuser then just add boiling water to a bowl add a couple of drops of your essential oil and stir. Leave in your bedroom for an hour before you go to sleep.

Method 3

Mix one of the essential oils with a carrier oil of your choice and apply a few drops to your wrist, back of neck and soles of your feet. Do this an hour before you go to bed.

Method 4

Relax in your bath with the aroma of your favourite essential oil. Just add a few drops of oil to a warm bath and soak for 15 minutes. Wait for an hour and then go to bed feeling relax.

Method 5

Add your essential oil and carrier together rub in the palm of your hands and inhale the scent before going to sleep.

Method 6

Add two drops of your desired essential oil to a cotton bud and simply put the bud on the pillow next to you. Breath in the scent all night long.

Conclusion

Scent is a very powerful mechanism for changing your mood. The essential oils discussed will help to de-stress you and relax your mind and body. So if your looking for a good nights sleep then give these methods a try. Good night..