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Best Essential Oils

Candace Osmond

There are so many things that can influence your quality of sleep, starting with the mattress you sleep on all the way to external factors such as temperature. One of those things is essential oils. For people who have difficulties falling asleep or just want to feel more relaxed when they go to bed, essential oils have proven to be an effective alternative to sleep aids. With the right choice of plants, you can finally get some quality rest!

There are different types of essential oils that can be used as sleep aids or relaxants and various ways in which you can use them: from diffusers to topical applications and well-known soothing smells such as lavender to less popular herbs such as sweet marjoram. Once you learn more about essential oils, you’ll get to experience their many benefits.

RankProductHighlights
#1Organic Good Sleep Blend Essential Oil

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  • Active ingredients: Lavender, clary sage, copaiba
  • Available sizes:0.33 Fl Oz, 1 Fl Oz, 2 Fl Oz, 4 Fl Oz
#2Prime Natural Sleep & Relaxation Essential Oil Blend

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  • Active ingredients: Lavender Bulgaria, Clary Sage, Copaiba Balsam, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile
  • Available sizes: 0.33 Fl Oz, 1 Fl Oz
#3Airomé Dreamland Blend for Kids

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  • Active ingredients: Geranium, lavandin, orange, and tangerine
  • Available sizes: 0.5 Fl Oz
#4Woolzies 100% Pure Good Night Sleep Essential Oil Blend Set

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  • Active ingredients: Ylang Ylang, patchouli, sandalwood, lavender, chamomile, orange, clary sage, vetiver, rose, jasmine, basil, and bergamot
  • Available sizes: 0.33 Fl Oz (each bottle)
#5Jasmine’s Herb Gardens Sleep Lite Roll-On

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  • Active ingredients: Hemp, lavender, cedarwood, bergamot, lime, vetiver and marjoram
  • Available sizes: 1 Fl Oz

What Are Essential Oils?

To understand all the benefits of essential oils, you need to find out how they work first. Essential oils are concentrated compounds extracted from different plants, or as the name suggests- their essence in oil form. There are different methods of extracting those compounds from plants and it depends on the specific plant or part of the plant that’s being extracted. The most popular method of extraction is steam distillation, but cold pressing, solvent extraction, maceration, and other techniques can also be used.

The most widespread way of using essential oils is aromatherapy, which means using these natural plant extracts to reap different benefits for your health and wellbeing. One of these benefits is the impact certain essential oils can have on your stress levels, moods, and sleeping patterns. With the right choice of essential oils and the way you use them, you can fall asleep easier, get more quality rest, and feel more relaxed.

How Do You Use Essential Oils for Sleep?

There are many different ways to use essential oils and a lot will depend both on your personal preferences and the results you want to achieve. For instance, you won’t use the same type of essential oils and in the same way if you want to treat insomnia or if you simply wish to unwind after a long day at work.

— Topical use

For the most potent and fastest results with essential oils, people prefer applying them directly to certain points of the body. This includes wrists, hands, neck, or even forehead- somewhere where the scent would emanate until you fall asleep and a greater intensity due to the closeness to your face. Depending on the type of essential oil you’re using (not all are safe to be applied directly on the skin), you might want to dilute it in a carrier oil such as coconut oil or olive oil. This will minimize the chance of your skin reacting to the essential oil.

— Diffusers

If you have sensitive skin or don’t want to put essential oils on your body for whatever reason, diffusers are the best possible alternative. Air diffusers disperse the essential oil fragrance throughout the room. The best part is that many essential oil diffusers have a programmable timer that allows you to lie down and enjoy the pleasant and relaxing aroma of essential oils without worrying about the device continuing to work after you fall asleep.

— Inhalation

You have to be very careful with this method- even though it can be quite relaxing and lulling, not all essential oils should be inhaled. With those that can, though, you can achieve great results by putting in a few drops in a bowl of steaming hot water and inhaling the steam. For enhanced effects, put a towel over your head during the inhalation.

— Baths

What could be more relaxing than a long warm bath before bed? A bath infused with soothing essential oils. Either simply add a few drops of sleep-aid essential oils to your bath or get special bath bombs infused with essential oils and enjoy the benefits of herbs and plants while you soak and unwind- maybe with a glass of wine or a cup of tea to boot.

Best Essential Oils for Sleep

So now that you know how to use essential oils for sleep, all that remains is knowing which essential oils you should use. You can go for just one of the options or create a blend that includes different oils for different purposes and get a synergistic effect.

  • Lavender

By far the most popular sleep aid essential oil, lavender is great for relaxation and relieving anxiety. Studies have also found that lavender essential oil can help combat insomnia and increase the amount of slow-wave sleep.

  • Valerian

There’s a good reason why valerian root is the main active ingredient in so many sleep aid products. Valerian essential oil is also beneficial for your sleep quality as it can help you fall asleep faster and promote deep sleep. It has a sedative effect without the accompanying feeling of grogginess.

  • Roman Chamomile

Not only that chamomile has been used and prized for its soothing and relaxing properties for centuries back, but there have been studies that show that Roman chamomile can help treat insomnia and reduce nightmares.

  • Bergamot

Despite its citrus origins, bergamot essential oil is used for its relaxing properties: it can lower heart rate and blood pressure. Ideal for when you want to fall asleep faster!

  • Clary Sage

A natural sedative, this type of sage can help relieve stress and anxiety and reduce cortisol levels, helping you unwind before bed.

Best Essential Oils for Sleep

These calming, sleep-promoting blends have been made from handpicked essential oils that have soothing properties. Get a good night’s rest with completely natural ingredients- whether you want to massage them on your hands and feet or drift away inhaling relaxing scents from your diffuser, we’ve got you covered.

1. Organic Good Sleep Blend Essential Oil

Specs:

  • Active ingredients: Lavender, clary sage, copaiba
  • Available sizes:0.33 Fl Oz, 1 Fl Oz, 2 Fl Oz, 4 Fl Oz

Best organic essential oil sleep blend

Healing Solutions offer only the highest quality essential oils that have been GCMS tested for purity but with this blend, they go a step further: it is USDA certified organic as well. This pure therapeutic grade essential oil blend contains lavender, copaiba, and clary sage essential oils. This combo has a potent effect as it promotes deep sleep and almost instantaneous relaxation, but surprisingly, the scent of this essential oil blend is not overpowering.

Available in different sizes, this essential oil blend can be used topically (diluted in a carrier oil as this blend uses pure essential oils)- massage a few diluted drops into your hands and feet or add a drop on your forehead or wrists. Alternatively, you could also use it in a diffuser and let the soothing scent spread all over your bedroom and lull you into sleep.

ProsCons
  • USDA certified organic
  • Blend of plants that promote relaxation, deep sleep and have anti-stress properties
  • Can be used topically or in a diffuser
  • Expensive

Who Should Buy This?

In case you don’t like heavy fragrances, this medium aroma essential oil blend is an excellent choice for a relaxing evening that will lead to deep sleep and great rest. And since all the ingredients are organic, you don’t have to worry about quality and safety either!

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2. Prime Natural Sleep & Relaxation Essential Oil Blend

Specs:

  • Active ingredients: Lavender Bulgaria, Clary Sage, Copaiba Balsam, Marjoram, Roman Chamomile
  • Available sizes: 0.33 Fl Oz, 1 Fl Oz

Best sleep aid essential oil for diffuser

All the essential oils offered by Prime Natural are bottled in the USA, GC/MS tested and made with high-quality ingredients. This sleep-promoting, relaxing essential oil blend is no different! Formulated with lavender Bulgaria, clary sage, copaiba balsam, marjoram, and Roman chamomile, it contains all the plants that are beneficial for sleep quality. Not only is this essential oil blend is designed to help you fall asleep faster and easier, but it also helps reduce stress and anxiety and promotes restfulness.

While suitable for topical use when diluted in a carrier oil, this essential oil blend is ideal for a diffuser. The scent is pleasant enough and it also comes in a generously sized bottle: just 4 or 5 drops of it are more than enough when you use it in a diffuser.

ProsCons
  • Affordable
  • Pleasant smell
  • Therapeutic grade, pure oils
  • Powerful formula that soothes and helps sleep quality both
  • Ideal for diffusers
  • The fragrance can be too strong for some people

Who Should Buy This?

For those of you that prefer to use a diffuser, this affordable calming essential oil blend is just the thing: the pleasant perfume spreading through your bedroom will induce sleep and sweet dreams in no time.

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3. Airomé Dreamland Blend for Kids

Specs:

  • Active ingredients: Geranium, lavandin, orange, and tangerine
  • Available sizes: 0.5 Fl Oz

Best sleep-inducing essential oil for children

When we are choosing sleep aids for our youngest, purity and safety are imperative. Luckily, Airomé essential oils are certified as 100 percent pure and therapeutic grade as well as GC/MS tested for quality, and this particular blend is perfectly optimized for the needs of children. With a mix of quality essential oils of geranium, lavandin, orange, and tangerine, this formula cleverly uses sleep-promoting and relaxing oils with those that are popular for their lovely scent that kids love.

This essential oil blend is great for aromatherapy and can be used topically when diluted in coconut oil- just massage a small amount of diluted oil on your kid’s feet or hands. Alternatively, you could diffuse it in your child’s bedroom- regardless of their age- and rest assured that your little sleepyhead is getting the rest they need. Plus, this essential oil blend works to make sleep less restless and ward off nightmares as a result- and that’s just the thing for the little ones.

ProsCons
  • Designed for children
  • Smells great
  • Therapeutic grade
  • Ideal for diffusers
  • Some people dislike the citrusy scent

Who Should Buy This?

Even our kids can experience the benefits of aromatherapy for sleep quality with safe and effective essential oil blends such as this. The combination of essential oils with complimentary aromatherapy profiles will have your kiddo snoozing peacefully in no time.

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4. Woolzies 100% Pure Good Night Sleep Essential Oil Blend Set

Specs:

  • Active ingredients: Ylang Ylang, patchouli, sandalwood, lavender, chamomile, orange, clary sage, vetiver, rose, jasmine, basil, and bergamot
  • Available sizes: 0.33 Fl Oz (each bottle)

Best calming essential oil

With three different blends in the set, you’ll be able to relieve tension, relax and unwind, and enjoy a restful night of deep sleep- all spending on your choice of the blend for the day. The set includes the following essential oil blends: Stress Relief, Sweet Dreams, and Relax.

Stress Relief essential oil blend is formulated with Ylang Ylang, patchouli, sandalwood, and orange and as the name suggests, it helps you destress and unwind. The scent of this blend is earthy and minty. On the other hand, Sweet Dreams oil blend features a floral aroma and a mix of lavender, chamomile, orange, and clary sage essential oils. It promotes deep sleep and can help you fall asleep faster, as well as be effective with milder forms of insomnia. Finally, the Relax oil blend is ideal for cozy nights when you need to unwind after a stressful day- it helps you do so with a combination of vetiver, rose, lavender, jasmine, basil, and bergamot oils. The fragrance of this essential oil blend is predominantly floral.

As these are 100 percent pure essential oils in each of these blends, it’s recommended to dilute them with a carrier oil if you want to apply topically. Otherwise, inhale or diffuse- the choice is yours and the benefits remain the same.

ProsCons
  • Three options to choose from
  • Pure essential oils
  • Suitable for a gift
  • The scents of all three blends are somewhat similar

Who Should Buy This?

Whether you’re looking for a nice gift for a loved one or want to pamper yourself with quality calming essential oils, this set by Woolzies is a fabulous choice. The variety is nice (and the blends are picked well) and the pretty package they come in is an added bonus!

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5. Jasmine’s Herb Gardens Sleep Lite Roll-On

Specs:

  • Active ingredients: Hemp, lavender, cedarwood, bergamot, lime, vetiver and marjoram
  • Available sizes: 1 Fl Oz

Best relaxing essential oil for topical use

If you prefer to use essential oils topically and don’t want to be bothered with having to do it yourself, this is the most convenient option out there. This essential oil blend comes in a practical roll-on bottle that allows you to easily apply it on your wrists, neck, temples, or anywhere on the body you want to. And the convenient packaging is also great for when you travel or if you just one to have this soothing blend with you at all times- it fits in any purse or a larger pocket.

The mix of essential oils for this blend includes lavender, cedarwood, bergamot, lime, vetiver, and marjoram, diluted in refined hemp seed oil (which is 100mg hemp extract in coconut oil). This powerful combo helps soothe an uneasy mind, promote relaxation and peacefulness, as well as encourage better sleep and more quality rest. Made in the USA with quality ingredients, this topical essential oil has a woody, pleasant scent.

ProsCons
  • A potent blend of essential oils in hemp oil
  • Practical roll-on packaging
  • Pleasant fragrance
  • Effective for sleep disturbances
  • Anti-stress properties
  • The scent might be too light for some people

Who Should Buy This?

Applying essential oils topically is effective but demands dilution- this convenient packaging makes it safe and practical to put the oils directly to your skin. The roll-on package allows you to carry the blend with you on travels or trips and get the same sleep quality and relax even when you’re away from home.

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In Conclusion

Essential oils can be of great help for milder cases of insomnia, people who have difficulty falling asleep fast, those that can’t get rested even when they sleep long enough, and people that need help with relieving stress and anxiety the natural way. With the right choices of essential oils and methods of using them, you can finally improve the quality of your sleep without using chemicals.

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