I’m a light sleeper and there’s nothing I hate more than waking up 3-4 times every night just to later toss and turn on my bed and try to sleep again.
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I’ve tried different things to have uninterrupted deep sleep and nothing has been as effective as using essential oils.
So, we know that essential oils contain plenty of goodness but which ones would help you to sleep?
Moreover, which ones are safe to use in a diffuser? If you’ve been wondering about it, then you have come to the right place.
Today I’m going to share my favorite essential oil diffuser recipes for sleep that will put you in a deep slumber. Sometimes, it’s a blend of a few oils that will help you sleep like a baby.
As they say, there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep and you definitely deserve it.
10 Essential Oil Diffuser Recipes for Sleep
1. Dreamer’s Delight
- 5 drops of Lavender oil
- 3 drops of Vetiver oil
- 2 drops of Ylang Ylang oil
2. Snores and More
- 1 drop of Lavender oil
- 1 drop of Bergamot oil
- 1 drop of Cedarwood oil
- 1 drop of Frankincense oil
- 1 drop of Patchouli oil
- 1 drop of Vetiver oil
- 1 drop of Sweet Orange oil
3. Sleep is in the Air
- 5 drops of Lavender oil
- 3 drops of Vetiver oil
- 2 drops of Frankincense oil
- 2 drops of Cedarwood oil
- 3 drops of Geranium oil
4. Sleep and Snuggles
- 2 drops of Lavender oil
- 3 drops of Cedarwood oil
- 1 drop of Vetiver oil
- 2 drops of Bergamot oil
5. Bye, Bye Insomnia!
- 2 drops of Lavender oil
- 2 drops of Cedarwood oil
- 1 drop of Neroli or Pettigrain oil
6. Tuck in Potion
- 2 drops of Rose oil
- 1 drop of Palmarosa oil
- 2 drops of Vetiver oil
- 2 drops of Lavender oil
- 1 drop of Cedarwood oil
7. Dozing Off
- 2 drops of Tea Tree oil
- 4 drops of Lavender oil
- 2 drops of Ylang Ylang oil
8. Dream On
- 2 drops of Ylang Ylang oil
- 1 drop of Bergamot oil
- 1 drop of Roman
- Chamomile oil
- 1 drop of Valerian oil
- 1 drop of Lavender oil
- 1 drop of Sweet Marjoram oil
9. Nature’s Pacifier
- 3 drops of Bergamot oil
- 2 drops of Lavender oil
- 1 drop of Cedarwood oil
- 1 drop of Vetiver oil
10. Oh, Night Divine!
- 4 drops of Cedarwood oil
- 1 drop of Pine oil
- 1 drop of Cypress oil
- 1 drop of Lavender oil
All you need is a bottle of few essential oils and you’ll soon notice the improvement in your sleep quality and duration. At least you should. Obviously, all of us react to different things differently. Thus, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s something that’s going to help you.
The most recurring ingredient in these essential oil blends is lavender oil. You probably wonder how it actually helps. I’ve done a little bit of research and that’s exactly what you should know.
Lavender’s Lullaby Effect
When it comes to sleep and relaxation, the lavender essential oil has been the most studied (source). It also proved to be one of the most effective essential oils when it comes to that.
But be wary of which lavender oil you buy. Why? Because you could get the opposite effect. Confused? Let me explain.
There are four strains of lavender available. Out of the four, Lavandula Angustifolia is the type that helps with inducing sleep by as much as 20% (source).
But, Lavandula Latifolia could actually make you feel energized and rejuvenated! So make sure that you pick the right one by checking out the Latin name of the Lavender.
The sleep-related benefits come from lavender essential oil’s antidepressant, anxiolytic, calming and sedative properties (source).
It puts you in a state of relaxation that allows sleeping better (source). Studies have shown that lavender essential oil has no adverse effect on humans too.
Other Essential Oils That Help with Sleep
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While Lavender oil is the star of the show, some other oils also carry out their role to help with your sleep. These include:
Frankincense
Frankincense acts as a relaxant. That’s especially if you suffer from chronic stress, pain, and anxiety. Obviously, all of us react to different things differently. Thus, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s something that’s going to help you.
Cedarwood
Cedarwood is the earthy, woody fragrance that anybody would love. It triggers serotonin production, which in turn releases melatonin.
Melatonin is a natural sedative that allows your body to get into a deep sleep state.
Bergamot
Bergamot relaxes the body and the mind. You will feel the tension seep out of your body due to the production of serotonin and dopamine (source).
That’s induced by bergamot. So, you’ll both feel relaxed and sleepy. If Bergamot essential oil is hard to come by, you can replace it with clary sage oil.
Scents have a strong influence on our bodies. They may evoke emotions or trigger memories.
Smells interact with the nervous system to relax or excite us, and aromatherapy exploits just that to provide a healing effect. It makes use of essential oils to reduce stress, induce sleep, and improve the quality of it (source).
Why Aromatherapy?
Aromatherapy is not limited to just soulful healing. Here are some reasons why you should switch to aromatherapy to deal with your sleep woes.
- According to a study conducted in a cancer center in the UK, aromatherapy improves sleep quality. Almost all participants continue using aromatherapy to get a better night’s sleep (source). This is even more reassuring considering that cancer patients find it hard to sleep.
- Aromatherapy has been so beneficial that healthcare systems are planning to integrate aromatherapy in treatments (source). And yes, this also includes those who find it difficult to get a good night’s rest.
- Most essential oils have a relaxing effect on your body. They can reduce stress and anxiety.
- Synthetic drugs can leave you feeling groggy, dazed, and tired. But, sleep induced by aromatherapy will leave you well-rested and energized!
- As we age, our bodies grow immune to benzodiazepines. These are primarily used for sedation. Studies show that aromatherapy is effective even on such subjects.
Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and try out these 10 essential oil diffuser recipes for sleep to have a good night’s sleep.
Do let me know in the comments section about your experience with these essential oil blends.
Joan
Saturday 26th of June 2021
I would love to be able to print this. Do you have a PDF version? Thank you
Karo Tries
Thursday 8th of July 2021
You can print through your browser :)
Sarah
Tuesday 2nd of March 2021
I’m so glad I found these essential oil recipes for sleep, I work at nights and am a caregiver during the day, I am always so tired but can’t sleep at nights due to having to wind down from my night job! So thank you & I can’t wait to try these!
Margie Harrison
Sunday 21st of February 2021
Hi just wondering which of these ten remedies worked best for you.
Karo Tries
Monday 22nd of February 2021
4. Sleep and snuggles :)
Leigh
Friday 1st of February 2019
Would it be possible to make one or all of these blends into a roller ball?
Karo Tries
Monday 4th of February 2019
Absolutely, just make sure you mix them with almond oil to avoid skin irritations.
Jamie B
Friday 25th of January 2019
I can’t use a diffuser in my bedroom due to my husband’s allergies. Can I use these blends in a lotion I can apply to the bottom of my feet before bedtime?
Karo Tries
Monday 4th of February 2019
Hello Jamie,
absolutely, just make sure you mix in a generous amount of oil (almond oil works here).