Lavender, geranium, vanilla, marjoram, chamomile, clary sage and ylang ylang oils are often used for relaxation. These are some of the oils I use at bedtime.
Essential Oils for Sleep and Relaxation
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There are potential advantages to using aromatic sleep and tranquility blends. In general, it’s believed that combining multiple oils in one recipe creates a synergy, which can’t be matched with using single oils.
For years, I suffered with insomnia. Essential oils have helped me so much, to the point where I don’t have to worry if I’m going to get a good night’s sleep. Nowadays, I almost always do.
Essential Oils that Promote Sleep
Although essential oils haven’t been widely studied for their natural tranquilizing ability, aromatherapists have been recommending them for years as sleep aids.
The little research we do have seems to show aromatics can help us relax. One study found that neroli oil helped reduce stress in a group of patients who were about to undergo an unpleasant medical procedure.
For me, essential oils seem to help me fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer. I realize this is only an anecdotal report, and that I can’t claim or promise they’ll do the same for anyone else. Also, this article is not intended as medical advice, since I’m not a doctor.
Lavender Essential Oil for Relaxation
Most sleep/relaxation blends contain lavender essential oil. This aromatic is considered one of the best for helping you unwind. There is even some research confirming that lavender is useful for helping reduce stress and improve “sleep quality,” according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website.
Citrus oils are also considered good at elevating the mood, and making you view things from a new perspective. Things that were greatly troubling you may no longer seem so ominous.
Special blends that combine three or more of these oils, or others, are believed to be effective at helping you get the rest you need. That’s because of synergy, a principle herbalists and aromatherapists are well aware of. This is why some of the most popular essential oil sleep remedies contain a combination of different oils.
A number of the most popular essential oil labels now sell their very own sleep formulas. One way to use them is to sprinkle a few drops on a cloth or a tissue and place it by your pillow. This is what I’ve done when sleep eludes me. However, nowadays, this hardly ever happens. Essential oils give me the confidence that I’m going to get to sleep. So I don’t lay awake at night worrying I won’t.
All of these oils shown below are from brands that I use myself. I’ve also made repeat purchases from these companies. I buy most of my oils directly, and not through multilevel marketing distributors.
Plant Therapy Stress Free
This is one of my favorite brands, because its oils are very high quality. These totally pure, therapeutic-grade oils are produced and sold by a family-run operation based in Twin Falls, Idaho. They are tested twice for purity. One of these tests is run independently. The Anti-Anxiety blend contains a mix of lavender, marjoram, ylang ylang, vanilla, chamomile and sandlewood. Plant Therapy works with a world famous aromatherapist, who has published extensively on essential oil use.
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Essential Oil Blend to Sleep
Below you can see another trusted brand of oil, which I buy frequently. Aura Cacia guarantees the purity of its oils. This is comforting, in this age of widespread reported essential oil fraud. Tranquility blend contains 100 percent pure contains lavender, patchouli, fir, palmarosa, geranium and chamomile. Palmarosa is one of my favorite relaxation oils. It has an exquisite scent, sort of a cross between a rose and fresh berries.
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Now Peaceful Sleep Blend
It’s so nice to know that a problem as debilitating as insomnia might be helped with natural essential oils. The Now Foods Peaceful Sleep blend shown below comes in a relatively large one-ounce bottle. Just a little bit of essential oil usually goes a long way.
As I mentioned earlier, at night, I like to sprinkle a little relaxation oil on a cloth (or tissue), which I place by my pillow. This way, if the scent is too strong, I can remove it or place it farther away. Peaceful Sleep contains orange, tangerine, lavender, chamomile, ylang ylang and sandlewood.
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Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
For Additional Reading
Help Insomnia With Natural Remedies
