This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn compensation when you purchase through these links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for the support!

Adults need at least 7 hours of sleep for the best health and wellbeing. If we don’t get this amount of sleep it can negatively affect our health. Read this research data from the Center for Disease Control regarding sleep duration. We all struggle with our sleep now and again. As an avid essential oil user, I have researched which oils are most beneficial to aid our sleep. Several of these oils I had heard about in conversations with other essential oil enthusiasts. Others I just learned about in my recent research!

I am NOT a fan of using OTC sleep aids and I will only use natural remedies to help with sleep if needed. My body is very sensitive to medications and when I tried OTC sleep aids years ago, they did not work for me, and made me feel worse! I have been using essential oils for the past 6+ years for wellness and I continue to learn ways to use them to support the health of myself and my loved ones.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

I have used several of the oils listed below to assist in getting to sleep. Some I have yet to try. As with any condition, it will be trial and error. What works for one person may not work for another person, as we are all different.

In addition to using essential oils, try using yoga and meditation to help you be able to relax, declutter your mind, and rest peacefully. Check out my posts, Mindful Breathing Meditation and 6 Yoga Poses for Better Sleep.

I have also written a more detailed post about Lavender, entitled The Many Uses of Lavender Essential Oil if you are interested in learning more about it.

Restorative yoga, preparing for a good night of sleep!

10 Best Essential Oils for Sleep

1. Lavender – This was the first oil I tried to assist with sleep and it is still my go-to oil when I need some help getting to sleep. This oil is commonly used for anxiety, depression, insomnia, restlessness, headache, and pain. The chemical constituents in lavender essential oil have sedative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic properties (as well as many others) which may improve sleep. I use this Lavender essential oil.
2. Cedarwood – This is another oil that I have used when I needed some help relaxing before bed.  I love the scent – warm, fresh, and woodsy! The natural sedative properties of Cedarwood essential oil have a calming effect and help relieve stress, helping to prepare you for a good night of sleep.
3. Vetiver – This oil is known in India as “oil of tranquility.” This oil has calming, grounding, and sedative properties. Vetiver essential oil has an earthy, sweet scent that is reminiscent of patchouli with lemon undertones. As a natural tranquilizer, it can help induce restful sleep.
4. Peace and Calming – This is the oil of choice for my daughter to promote restful sleep. The oils in this blend have historically been used to help reduce depression, anxiety, stress, and tension. This oil may be useful at the end of a stressful day to promote relaxation and peace and aid in getting a good night of sleep. Peace and Calming Essential oil blend contains these oils: Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Blue Tansy.
5. Roman Chamomile – Because it is calming and relaxing, chamomile can be beneficial for insomnia and stress. It helps eliminate some of the emotional charges of anxiety, irritability, and nervousness. Soothing and calming to the mind, it helps create a mindset more conducive to sleep. Roman Chamomile essential oil has a fresh, sweet, fruity-herbaceous scent.
6. RutaVaLa – I have not personally tried RutaVaLa Essential Oil, but I know it is recommended for inducing better quality sleep. RutaVaLa Essential Oil is a blend of Ruta, Lavender, and Valerian essential oils. Lavender and Valerian oils are well known for their sedative properties. Ruta oil is not only relaxing to the mind and body but is also rebalancing to the energies of the body. The three oils together make a perfect recipe for an excellent night of rest.
7. Bergamot – I was not surprised to find that Bergamot Essential Oil was included together with the other oils touted for sleep. This oil has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, sedative, and uplifting properties which are helpful in regard to sleep issues. It has historically been used for insomnia, nervous tension, depression, anxiety, and stress. It has a pleasing light, sweet, citrusy aroma.
8. Marjoram –  Marjoram Essential Oil induces a calming, relaxing, and sedative effect on both the mind and body while relieving nervous stress and anxiety. It is helpful in dealing with insomnia and stress.
9. Valerian –  Well known for enhancing sleep, Valerian Essential Oil has sedative and antianxiety properties. This oil is known to be calming, relaxing, grounding, and balancing. Through the centuries it has been used for insomnia.
10. Tranquil – A blend of essential oils that are highly regarded for their calming and relaxing properties. This blend of oils has been formulated to ease tension and anxiety, reduce restlessness, and to stabilize and balance the emotions and the physical body. Tranquil Essential Oil Roll-On contains essential oils Lavender, Cedarwood, and Roman Chamomile. This blend also contains carrier oils of fractionated and virgin coconut oils.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

How to Use the Essential Oils

1. Lavender – Place 1-2 drops on the palm of your hand and rub the palms together. Swipe the hands across your pillowcase, dispersing the oils across the pillow. Diffuse the oil in an Ultrasonic diffuser, such as the Sweet Aroma Diffuser. Fill the diffuser with water and put 4-6 drops of essential oil in the water, replace the top and diffuse. You can also rub a drop between the palms and rub them into the bottoms of the feet. Have your spouse/partner mix 1-2 drops of Lavender oil with a carrier oil (4-5 drops) and rub along the spine.
   

   Sweet Aroma Diffuser

2. Cedarwood – Diffuse in an Ultrasonic diffuser. Rub 1-2 drops into the bottoms of the feet.
3. Vetiver – Diffuse in Ultrasonic diffuser. Rub 1-2 drops onto the bottoms of the feet.
4. Peace and Calming – Diffuse or rub onto the bottoms of the feet.
5. Roman Chamomile – Diffuse or rub into the bottoms of the feet.
6. RutaVaLa – Diffuse or rub into the bottoms of the feet.
7. Bergamot – Diffuse or rub into the bottoms of the feet.
8. Marjoram – Diffuse or rub onto the bottoms of the feet.
9. Valerian – Diffuse or rub onto the bottoms of the feet.
10. Tranquil Roll-On – comes in a bottle with a roller ball applicator. Apply to neck and shoulders, the bottoms of the feet, and/or the wrists prior to turning in for the night.

Desert Mist Diffuser

* The most cost-effective way to purchase a diffuser, and get a fabulous collection of oils to start with, plus receive 24% off the retail price (of all Young Living products) is to purchase a Starter Kit (click on the link to see what’s included!)and become a member of Young Living. You do not have an obligation to buy anything thereafter. The Starter Kit itself is a fabulous deal and would make a wonderful gift! You can also just purchase the diffuser here, Desert Mist Diffuser, or Sweet Aroma Diffuser. Contact me to learn more if interested.

Here is another awesome diffuser I found on Amazon.

To stay well and live our best lives we need to get adequate sleep. There are times for all of us that sleep can seem elusive. Try using essential oils, a natural alternative to OTC sleep aids. I use Young Living Essential Oils. I choose to use this brand due to its high-quality standards and therapeutic grade oils. I have been using them for 6+ years and I am impressed with the quality of their oils. Check out my essential oils wall rack, full of Young Living Essential Oils!

I am not a healthcare professional. The information provided here has not been evaluated by the FDA. The products and their uses described here are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent illness or disease. Essential oils work with the body to assist in bringing the body back into balance.

I have used several of these oils in this list to help me relax and drift off to dreamland. Which ones have you tried? Which ones would you like to try? Please share in the comments below.

Sleeping Woman Photo by Ivan Obolensky from Pexels

Featured Cover Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash