Essential Oils for Sleep

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Want to improve the quality of your rest?   Learn how to use essential oils for sleep! Aromatherapy can help take the stress out of your bedtime. Get the best recipes, diffuser blends, rollerball remedies, and sprays to help you sleep well.

I have struggled with sleep for as long as I can remember. If I am honest with myself, one of the key measures of “good times” and “bad times” in my life is how well I am sleeping.

I am not alone.

It is estimated that 60 million Americans suffer from sleepless nights. It can be easy to brush lousy sleep off as being normal, but the truth is that inadequate sleep can lead to other problems in our lives. In addition to reduced concentration, agitation, and headaches, poor sleep can also play a role in chronic disease, immune health and depression.

While there are certainly times when medical intervention is called for, one of the best natural ways to deal with occasional sleeplessness is essential oils!  They have done wonders for me to support healthy sleep.

There are a lot of different essential oils for sleep, and one thing to keep in mind is that everyone responds differently.  What sends one of my sons quickly into slumber does nothing for the other.   So play around with it and learn what is best for you!

How Do Essential Oils Support Healthy Sleep?

Aromatherapy helps to reach the parts of the brain that influence our moods and energy. This can help to relax the mind as well as the body.

Even science is starting to recognize the positive impact that they can have on our health.

According to Brent A. Bauer, MD, the research director of the Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine Program:

How Do You Use Essential Oils for Sleep?

• Diffuse in the air
• Add them to the bath
• Make a linen spray and spray them on sheets and pillows
• Apply topically on the feet, neck, wrists and/or stomach

The Quality of The Essential Oils You Use Matters!

After looking closely at the quality, purity, and ethics of so many companies, I've fallen in love with both the company and their products. They have a large line of organic oils and are serious about safety. Every single batch is tested to ensure purity!

Read my full Plant Therapy Review for why they are my go-to company.

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What are the Best Essential Oils for Sleep?

• Lavender
• Clary Sage
• Vetiver
• Roman Chamomile
• Bergamot
• Rose
• Sandalwood
• Sweet Orange
• Jasmine
• Geranium
• Frankincense

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How to Use Lavender for Sleep

If I had to pick among best essential oils for sleep, it would be lavender.

According to Alan Hirsch, MD, neurological director of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago,

“Lavender increases alpha brain waves in the back of the head, which is associated with a more relaxed state.”

Lavender also happens to be safe for children, and one of the few oils that you can apply "neat," or undiluted. (Though unless it is a burn, I always dilute lavender when using on children.)

To use lavender for sleep, you can place a few drops of on feet, neck, and wrists. I like to place 3 to 6 drops in my diffuser as well.

Another great way to use lavender  is in a linen spray.

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Lavender Linen Spray for Sleep

• 12 drops lavender
• 4 ounces distilled water
• 2 ounces witch hazel
• Oil Safe Spray Bottle

1. Place lavender, distilled water, and witch hazel in the bottle. Shake well to combine.
2. Spritz on sheets and pillow just before turning in.

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Essential Oils for Sleep - Topical Recipes

Recipe #1

• 2 drops lavender
• 2 drops Roman chamomile
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil

1. Combine lavender, Roman chamomile, and carrier.
2. Apply to the bottoms of the feet at bedtime.

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Recipe #2

• 2 drops clary sage
• 2 drops vetiver
• 1 drop valerian
• 2 drops lavender
• 1 teaspoon carrier oil

1. Combine clary sage, vetiver, valerian, lavender, and carrier.
2. Apply to the bottoms of the feet at bedtime.

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Essential Oils for When You Have Trouble Staying Asleep

• 2 drops of Sweet Orange
• 1 drop of carrier oil

1. Dilute orange oil with the carrier oil.
2. Massage around the belly button.

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Essential Oil Bath Blend for Sleep

• 20 drops Roman chamomile
• 14 drops Lavender
• 4 drops clary sage
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil

1. Combine essential oils and carrier oil in a glass bottle. Add one tablespoon to the bath.

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The Best Roller Bottle Recipes

Essential Oil Children's Sleep Blend

• 12 drops Roman Chamomile
• 8 drops Lavender

1. Put essential oils in a 10ml roller bottle and top off with a carrier oil. Apply to the bottom of the feet.
2. You may also diffuse this blend.

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Essential Oils Sleep Blend - Adult's Blend

• 7 drops Lavender
• 7 drops Vetiver
• 7 drops Clary Sage
• 3 drops Frankincense
• 3 drops Ylang Ylang
• 4 drops Roman Chamomile
• 3 drops Sweet Orange

1. Place oils in a 10 ml bottle.
2. Top with a carrier oil.
3. Apply to the bottom of the feet.
4. You also may diffuse the blend.  (Omit the carrier if you are going to use the blend to diffuse.)

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Other Natural Sleep Remedies

• Tart Cherry Juice can be very effective and increase the amount of time you sleep. According to a study at Louisiana State University, people with sleep struggles who drank eight ounces of  tart cherry juice in the morning and at night slept an average of 84 minutes longer than those who received a placebo.  (This is one I use on a semi-regular basis. I have found it helpful.)
• Try supplementing with Magnesium. It is estimated that between 70% and 80% of American's aren't getting enough. Magnesium is one of nature's best relaxation secrets. When you are stressed, calcium can get into your cells and cause tension. Magnesium helps balance this and can help to promote a healthy stress response and sleep.

Other Considerations for Sleep

• As a busy Mom, I know how tempting it is to work or watch TV right up until bed time. If you have trouble falling asleep, try turning the TV off at least 30 minutes before bedtime. (The same goes for all digital devices.) The light tells your brain to stay awake. Do something quiet and relaxing like reading a book.
• Try lowering the temperature in your house by 3 to 5 degrees. Studies show that most people rest better at cooler temperatures.
• Don't underestimate the impact that the quality of mattress, sheets and pillows you are using have on your quality of sleep.  I rotate between two pillows that I love this Eden Pillow from Coop Home Goods and this Down Pillow from Pacific Coast Feather Company.

Have you tried essential oils for sleep?  What works for you?

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