Incorporating an essential oil into your nightly routine may be the answer to keep you from tossing and turning at night, and even work to fix a skewed sleep schedule.  

Sleep expert Ray Soberano from BestMattress-Brand.org describes them as a natural alternative to sleep medicines, offering an array of therapeutic benefits for relaxing the mind and body.  

Their powerful aromas work to ease sleep disruptions, such as snoring, sleep apnea, and night-time stuffiness. 

Soberano says: “Essential oils are the liquid compounds extracted from plants, acquired through distillation with steam or other mechanical methods, such as cold pressing. While in oil form, the plant’s scent becomes more prominent and is effective in preparing your body for rest. 

“The powerful aromas from essential oils stimulate parts of the limbic system, a sector of the brain responsible for emotions, behaviors, sense of smell, and long-term memory. Some essential oils have relaxing effects, so when you smell these fragrances, your body’s receptors send calming signals to the brain to help your body decompress.” 

But what scent is right for you? To help you find the right essential oil, BestMattress-Brand.org has revealed which scents to try to tackle a variety of sleep problems: 

Lavender Oil – Helps with stress and anxiety  
Lavender is the most researched herb for sleep and is revered for its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. As an essential oil, it’s known to relax the body’s muscles to promote restfulness, leading to more slow-wave sleep, and slow-wave sleep is the most restorative kind of rest and allows your brain to recover from daily activities. 

Vanilla Oil –  Helps with snoring and sleep apnea 
As one of the most recognizable fragrances, vanilla is a powerful antioxidant and relaxant. Vanilla contains anti-inflammatory properties proven to help individuals breathe easily at night, making it an especially good choice for those suffering from sleep apnea and snoring. 

Cedarwood Oil – Helps with joint pain 
Cedarwood is known for its woody aroma and has been characterized as warm and comforting sedative. Like lavender, cedarwood oil also eases pressure on the joints to provide you with a more peaceful sleep experience. Furthermore, this essential oil stimulates blood circulation and helps prevent numbness, tingling, and muscle cramps while asleep. 

Chamomile Oil – Helps with restlessness 
Chamomile is a plant extract containing apigenin, a chemical compound that can induce sleepiness when it binds to the brain’s receptors. Additionally, apigenin increases levels of serotonin, a chemical responsible for regulating your body’s internal clock. Your body uses serotonin to produce the sleep hormone melatonin as this helps with fighting against restlessness. 

Bergamot Oil – Helps to lower blood pressure 
Bergamot oil is an extract produced from prickly trees called citrus bergamia, originating in the tropical climates of Southeast Asia. While some citrus oils may be too stimulating for sleep, bergamot is unique as it relaxes the body by lowering blood pressure. These calming qualities ease racing thoughts and allow sleepers to rest peacefully without feeling anxious. 

Ylang-Ylang Oil – Helps to stabilize heart rate  
Ylang-Ylang oil is an extract from the fruit of Indonesian Canaga trees. It is a beautifully fragrant oil known to enhance the health of the nervous system by reducing tension exerted on nerves and stabilizing heart rate. This is not only beneficial in promoting restfulness, but it also reduces the risk of hypertension and other heart-related diseases. 

Jasmine Oil – Helps tackle insomnia 
Jasmine is another popular essential oil used to tackle sleep disruptions. Its powerful fragrance stimulates the limbic system by promoting feelings of tranquility and helping individuals fall asleep faster. What sets this essential oil apart from others is its molecular structure, which is similar to medications for insomnia. Research suggests jasmine is just as effective as prescription remedies for sleeplessness. 

Peppermint Oil – Helps with congestion 
The anti-inflammatory qualities in peppermint are useful for reducing obstructions such as nasal congestion and inflammation. Peppermint oil can be beneficial for those who suffer from allergies because the stimulating fragrance clears the nasal passage and allows for more airflow. Peppermint contains the organic compound menthol. When menthol is inhaled, it stimulates the hippocampus, an area of the brain responsible for mental clarity, and may enhance memory for some individuals. 

Geranium Oil – Helps to calm nerves 
Geranium oil’s light floral fragrance acts as an antidepressant to ease stress brought on by insomnia. Struggling to fall asleep each night can increase levels of cortisol, a hormone responsible for regulating stress. However, inhaling, geranium can lower cortisol in the body and keep your nerves calm. This way you can get a good right of rest without thoughts of worry plaguing your rest. 

How to Use Essential Oils at Bedtime 

Essential oils are incredibly versatile, and you can incorporate them into your bedtime routine by adding them in a hot bath or even into a diffuser.  

Many people find it soothing to rub a few drops of oil on their chest, wrist, neck, forehead, hands, or feet. Before you apply your essential oil, mix it with a carrier oil like olive, grapeseed, or coconut oil because the skin is sensitive to undiluted essential oils, and irritations may develop. 

Another way you can take advantage of essential oils’ relaxing benefits is by placing them into a warm bath. Most individuals combine 5 to 20 drops with a tablespoon of carrier oil before adding the blend into their bathtub. As you soak, the oils absorb through your skin to help you decompress and release tension. Not to mention, they offer a pleasant aroma to enhance relaxation. 

It’s important to remember many essential oils are adaptogens, meaning they adapt to people differently. Some fragrances, like peppermint or citrus oils, might be too stimulating for sleep and can keep you from falling asleep. It’s best to test out your oil for a couple of nights to ensure your body is relaxed and your sleep quality is enhanced.