The Best 7 Essential Oils for Sleep
With the high level of sleep disorders, many people around the world have decided to go back to the roots and consider effective traditional natural remedies that were used for sleeping problems. This includes the use of essential oils. However, the biggest challenge is identifying the essential oil that works best for your body. Here is a list of the best 7 essential oils.
1. Lavender
Lavender is the first product in our list of the top essential oils. The product is popular for its calming and relaxing effects on the body for a healthy sleep. In addition, Lavender is recommendable for all ages as it suits both adults and babies. This essential oil can also be used to freshen up your laundry and fragrance your home rather than using synthetics or harmful chemicals.
Pros
• Highly effective in supporting a healthy sleep
• Multiple benefits and uses
• High quality and cost effective
Cons
• Causes skin irritation when used in large amounts
• May lead to skin dryness
2. Frankincense
Frankincense is another top essential oil that is suitable for the entire family. The product is ideal in supporting a healthy sleep, calming your mind, solving hormonal imbalance and improving the natural response of your body to healing. Consequently, Frankincense is highly effective in helping children who suffer from sleep disorders due to nightmares.
Pros
• wide variety of uses and benefits
• Available in different bottle sizes
• Certified product
Cons
• Blood-thinning effects
• Allergic reactions
• Gastrointestinal side effects
3. Roman Chamomile
Roman Chamomile is a quality essential oil with a light floral scent. The product is known for its relaxing, calming and soothing properties. Besides, this essential oil is used to bring fragrance in bedrooms.
Pros
• Offers relaxing and calming properties
• Available in bottles of different sizes with an advanced dropper cap
• High quality and affordable
• wide range of uses such as sleep disorders, sore throat, ear inflammation, hay fever and a painkiller
Cons
• Allergic reactions to some
• May cause vomiting
• Risky for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
4. Cedarwood
Cedarwood is a highly effective and affordable essential oil. The product enhances the release of melatonin, which is the natural sleepy hormones and supports a healthy functioning of the pineal gland. Besides, Cedarwood has a stunning woodsy scent and works best when you mix it with Lavender before applying it on the bottoms of your feet.
Pros
• Offers calming and relaxing properties
• Available in different bottle sizes
• Multiple uses as it supports a healthy sleep and also relieves respiratory problems such as asthma, breathing issues and coughing
• Can be used with other oils such Lavender, mandarin and much more
• Affordable
Cons
• Allergic reactions
• Not appealing to most children
5. Ylang Ylang
This another top essential oil that was traditionally used to cover the beds of the newlywed couples on the night of their wedding day. The product was considered powerful oil that would balance the energies of female and male. Moreover, Ylang Ylang improves the mental alertness and brings a calming effect.
Pros
• Exquisite aroma that is flowery and sweet
• Available in different bottle sizes
• High quality and affordable
• Diffuses in just less 30 minutes
• Multiple benefits and uses
• Free of alcohol
Cons
• Outer packaging is not sturdy
• Requires to be mixed in a carrier oil
6. Bergamot
Bergamot is a quality product that consists of citrus oils that are cold-pressed from the peel and rind. Citrus oils are known for their stimulating effect but bergamot brings a different effect. Bergamot offers a better emotional balance as it brings a blend of bright and calming effect.
Pros
• Offers multiple benefits
• Available in different bottle sizes
• High quality and cost effective
• Relives joint pain
• Aids digestive system
Cons
• Skin irritation to some
• May lead to potassium levels depletion
• Can cause extra sun sensitivity
7. Marjoram
Finally, Marjoram is a top essential oil that is made from steam distilled from leaves. The Romans refer to marjoram as “herbs of happiness” while Greeks call it “joy of the mountains”.
Pros
• Multiple benefits and uses
• Extremely soothing
• Quality and cost effective
• Can be used with other oils such as coconut oil
Cons
• Said to decrease libido
• Risky for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers
How to Use Essential Oils for Sleep
When using any of the best 7 essential oils to ensure a healthy sleep, there are two effective methods that you can use. These include:
1. Tropical use
This method offers a wonderful way to apply your oil for you to enjoy their benefits. Topical method involves rubbing your oils on the back of your neck or the bottom of your feet before retiring to bed. You can use vegetable oil such as sweet almond or coconut oil to dilute the essential oils before rubbing them on your skin.
2. Aromatic
Aromatic method requires you to mix your essential oils into your palms and then rub them together. You should then cup cover your nose and take several deep breaths. However, you can also use a diffuser to mix your essential oils before taking them close to your nose.
Conclusion
Excessive sleep deprivation can absolutely affect us mentally, emotionally, professionally, physically and socially. Most people easily dismiss the effect of this serious problem as just a condition that makes us muzzy and feel tired. However, a healthy sleep can be achieved by using any of these top essential oils.