Best Essential Oils For Sleep

April 29, 2025

Our mental and physical wellness is closely tied to a good night’s sleep! Lack of sleep can lead to a feeling of listlessness and unproductivity the next morning, so it’s no wonder that in today’s fast paced and stress filled lifestyles, we are always looking for ways to de-stress and relax. Using essential oils that help you sleep is a traditional yet effective and potent method to help you develop a regular sleep routine. However, one must be aware of what aromatherapy oil is good for your sleep. Here, you will get to know the best essential oils for sleep and how to use them!

Best Essential oils for Sleep

Lavender Essential Oil

As one of the most popular essential oils, lavender essential oil certainly is worth all the fanfare. It is derived from the dainty purple flowers of Lavandula angustifolia and brimming with the compounds, linalool and linalyl acetate. These two form a powerful combination that helps relax the mind and calm the frayed nerves. Studies also show using lavender oil for sleep can help improve the quality of sleep for patients with heart conditions and postpartum women.

Ylang Ylang Essential oil

The sweet floral aroma of Ylang-Ylang spreads over the senses and lowers your stress levels to allow your body to take the much-needed rest. Its cheerful smell can uplift mood and reduce any negative feelings before bed. Mix a few drops of Ylang-Ylang essential oil in a water filled diffuser for a fresh smelling room that is full of vibes.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

If the woody scents of the mountains get you in the calm and meditative state, the cedarwood essential oil is the one you’re looking for! Rich and comforting, it contains Cedrol which bears sedative effects. So, using this oil will gently lull you to a longer sleep with reduced early wakings. Moreover, it is even safe for use for old adults with dementia. Use our wholesale essential oils and fragrance oils for candle making to craft beautiful candles that double as insect repellents.

Want to craft essential oil infused scented candles? Check out our piece on 10 Best Essential Oils for Candle Making.

Lotus

Lotus is that flower that is considered a good omen in religions and cultures around the world. And for a good reason too! Often used for spiritual and meditation practices, it has a grounding effect that relaxes the body and prepares it for sleep. You can also use lotus essential oil for tranquility of the mind during nighttime. Free yourself from restless thoughts that clutter your mind while you’re waiting to fall asleep with lotus essential oil.

Vetiver

Vetiver forms an important ingredient for ayurvedic and holistic traditions. Sometimes known as the ‘oil of tranquillity’, its soothing properties help lower the cortisol levels and reduce anxiety levels drastically. Intense and luxurious, using vetiver essential oil supports deep, uninterrupted sleep.

Bergamot

The bright, citrusy scent of bergamot essential oil can help lower blood pressure and bring about mental clarity and peace. Mix bergamot essential oil, frankincense essential oil and marjoram essential oil for creating a befitting and luxurious blend for aromatherapy for sleep.

Chamomile

Is anxiety or pain keeping you up at night? Then the answer to your acute problem lies in the tiny bottle of the chamomile essential oil. Its calm fragrance works like magic to quell anxiety, soothing your mind and bringing sweet comfort. What’s more? Chamomile essential oil can also be combined with our other favourite essential oils like geranium essential oil and mandarin essential oil to create a combination to boost your sleep hygiene. So whether it's for your children, aging parents or your partner, make chamomile essential oil part of routine today.

Clary Sage Oil

Did you know that one of your favourite flavouring herbs that brings to life the most aromatic dishes can also help you achieve optimum rest and sleep? Clary Sage essential oil has antidepressant and sedative properties, making it a sought-after product for reducing blood pressure and controlling breathing rate. Used in aromatherapy, clary sage essential oil can also fight aerial germs and bacteria, enabling you to breathe in clean and fragrant air and get a good night’s sleep.

Essential Oils to Avoid for Sleep

Essential oils are not mere marketing gimmicks, when used topically or through diffusion, essential oils can do you a solid.

But there are some essential oils that you should avoid for sleep. Here’s a compiled list-

Peppermint essential oil – The strong, minty scent of peppermint increases mental alertness, making it harder to unwind.
Sandalwood essential oil – It can raise your blood pressure and heart rate and negatively affect your sleep routine.
Ginger essential oil- Inducing sleep is not one of the myriad benefits that ginger essential oil has. Its heady scent promotes mental stimulation and makes it harder to fall asleep.
Rosemary essential oil - Rosemary also makes to this list, for it is ideally used for improving memory and focus.

Possible Side Effects

It is a well-known fact that essential oils are highly concentrated and potent. Therefore, it goes without saying that you must always remember to dilute essential oils with a suitable carrier oil like coconut oil or grapeseed oil before applying on skin.
Also, essential oils are not meant to be consumed orally. In any case, consult a healthcare professional before such use.

Safety Guidelines

Essential oils can cause skin irritation, so it is advised to do a patch test before the topical use of diluted essential oil. Check for any signs for irritation such as skin redness or bumps that could appear in the 48-hour timeframe.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do consult a medical practitioner before use.
Refer to the list of kid-friendly essential oils before using them for your child.

How to Use Essential Oils for Sleep?

Here are some of the classic ways of using essential oil for sleep -

Aromatherapy through diffusion- Mix about 5-10 drops of cedarwood or vetiver essential oil to a diffuser with water.
Application on skin- Massage a blend of diluted essential oil onto the skin for pain relief.
Bath soak- Take an essential oil infused bath to upgrade sleep quality. Mix essential oil with clays and bath salts for a truly relaxing bath time.

Conclusion

Essential oils and sleep make a perfect match to give you a productive and happy day. By using properly essential oils like lavender and lotus, you can get rid of anxiety and pain, reduce blood pressure, attain deep rest at night, and mindfulness during daytime.