Mom Life
Inside this post: Looking for more calming essential oils? Perfect list of essential oils for sleep. How your whole family can sleep well and wake up rested using essential oils.
I lay sleeping in bed when his whispering words woke me.
“I’m scared mommy,” he said.
In the darkness, I opened one eye to see a very sweet young boy holding his blankie three inches from my face.
“There’s spiders in my bed,” he continued.
I traveled down this “spiders in my bed” road before, and it was a 3 hour middle-of-the-night road.
Checking for spiders. Spraying for spiders. Coaching through the fears about spiders. Checking again for spiders. More spray. More snuggles. And 3 hours later, we were still awake.
Mind you, there were never any real spiders. Just the imaginary ones. So when my son stood at my bedside again telling me there were spiders, I knew it was time to bring out the oils.
Best essential oils to support healthy sleep habits.
I love essential oils because they help make everyday life easier in all sorts of different ways. And one of those ways is supporting healthy sleep for the whole family.
They can calm the emotions of a little boy feeling anxious about imaginary spiders. They help my husband get a good night’s rest after long work trips. They help my mind relax when I’m thinking about the 1,047 things I need to do the next day.
In short, essential oils are my life hack for just about everything.
Here are my top 7 essential oils for supporting healthy sleep…
1. Lavender
Oh yes, this essential oil likely doesn’t surprise you. Lavender is well-known for it’s relaxing and calming effects on the body. The reason I love this oil most is it’s safe to use on all ages–babies through adults.
In addition to supporting healthy sleep, this oil is also a great way to freshen up laundry and fragrance your home without harsh chemicals or synthetics.
Related: 17 Most Powerful Essential Oils for Stress and Emotional Wellness
2. Frankincense
This is my absolute favorite essential oil for our family. It’s perfect for balancing emotions, supporting healthy sleep, calming your mind and supporting your body’s natural response to healing.
When my son is scared of spiders, this is the first oil I reach for. When my mind won’t shut off at bedtime, this is the first oil I reach for. And to be honest, if I don’t know what oil to use, I will usually try Frankincense essential oil first.
3. Cedarwood
This oil is insanely cost effective, and it works beautifully. It costs around four cents per drop–a steal in my opinion! Cedarwood essential oil supports healthy function of the pineal gland, which releases melatonin…the body’s natural sleepy hormones.
This oil has a unique woodsy scent. If you aren’t keen on the smell, mix it with lavender and apply to the bottoms of feet. Then cover with socks and melt into bed.
4. Ylang ylang
Ylang ylang means “flower of flowers.” Historically, the ylang ylang flower has been used to cover the beds of newlywed couples on their wedding night. That’s because this powerful oil helps to balance male and female energies, supports focus and restores peace.
This oil is a delight to diffuse 30 minutes before bedtime and throughout the night.
5. Marjoram
Marjoram essential oil is steam distilled from leaves and it’s known as the “herb of happiness” to the Romans and “joy of the mountains” to the Greeks. This oil is extremely soothing and relaxes the nerves.
I love to apply 1-2 drops of this oil straight to the back of my neck below the hairline. I usually blend with a bit of coconut oil to smooth and apply it evenly.
6. Vetiver
Because vetiver essential oil is distilled from the roots of the plant, it smells very rich and earthy. This is another great oil to try for sleep because it is psychologically grounding, calming and stabilizing. It can take you awhile to get used to the smell, so if you are a vetiver newbie, you can try mixing it with a floral or citrus oil, such as lavender or bergamot.
7. Roman chamomile
For centuries, mothers have used this oil to calm children. This oil is perfect for restlessness and anxious feelings. I love using this oil because it’s another one that is great for all ages.
It has a light, floral scent and is wonderful for creating a peaceful atmosphere in your bedroom.
How to use essential oils for sleep support.
When using essential oils to help the whole family sleep through the night, there are two main methods I like to use:
Topical.
For the kids, I will take 1-3 drops of essential oil and blend it with 1 tsp of olive oil or coconut oil. This is the dilution I use for kids ages 1 and above. For myself and my husband, I will take 1-3 drops of essential oil and blend it with 1-3 drops of olive oil or coconut oil.
Then I apply the essential oils to the back of my neck, bottoms of feet or inside of the wrists. Allow a few minutes for the essential oils to absorb a bit. I will usually take any leftover oil, rub it between my hands, cup over my nose and inhale. This is immediately relaxing.
Aromatic.
You can put essential oils into the palms of your hands, rub them together, cup over your nose and take several deep breaths. That is one way to use essential oils aromatically. Another way–and also my preferred method–is to use a diffuser.
I got my first diffuser with my Young Living starter kit (psst…don’t forget to check out my special before it ends!) and I’ve never looked back. My son now sleeps with a diffuser in his room each night and loves it.
How to get started with essential oils.
There are new essential oil companies popping up everyday, but I’ve used Young Living from the beginning and I wouldn’t have it any other way. That’s because Young Living is the only essential oil company to control the entire process–from planting the seeds all the way to distilling and bottling the essential oil.
More than any other essential oil company, I trust Young Living. When you’re putting oils on those you love the most, trust means everything.
So if you’re looking for essential oils that will support healthy sleep, help your mind relax at the end of the day, and erase all those imaginary spiders in your little one’s bed, check out my Special Here, ends soon.
Want more on essential oils?
- 25 Life-Changing Essential Oil Hacks for Busy Moms
- Best Essential Oils for Tired and Stressed Moms
- Dear Mom Who Feels Like a Terrible Mother
- 3 Simple (But Genius) Organizational Tools for Moms
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I agree! My favorite is a combination of Stress Away, Joy, and Valor. My favorite for my kids is Peace & Calming!
I love those too!
Thank you a million times for this post. My son turned 2 in December. I have not had a full night’s sleep since he was born. I was becoming very desperate. I read this post and decided to give it a go. I combine Cedarwood, frankincense and ylang ylang in my diffuser. My son still sleeps in our bed most nights, but at least now we all get a full 8 hours. Thank you again!
Hello I just recently got a divorce. And for a couple weeks could not sleep so the dr. put me on sleeping medicine I do not want to be on them and I was wondering if you could tell me what would be the best essential oils that I could use for falling asleep I use a necklace infuser. By using that would that work or should I apply to the body like you have said in this site. I use lemon oil for depression. What would you have me used to sleep thank you so much for your helping and I really appreciate your time and knowledge on helping me learn thank you.
Daniel, frankincense and lavender is what I would start with for sure! Cedarwood is excellent but not in a necklace difusser.
What is a necklace diffuser ?
I’m new at with essential oils .
They make jewelry now that can hold oils…like lava stones, which you can put a few drops right on…and, several different types, depending on how many stones…..or a necklace that holds stones, or a little piece of felt, or a little cloth ball. The jewelry has a spot that opens and closes, so you can add whichever method, and scent you choose. My son wears a lava stone bracelet for his anxiety, and then some veviter to help his ADD. I have several pieces that I use for myself. Google them, or look on Ebay or Amazon.
Hi I have an anxiety for almost 2 months now and the doctor give me an anxiety tablet to take before I go to bed during night time. I dont want to be on tablet all thru my life. Can you pls suggest the best essential oil for me to sleep naturally? Thank you so much.
Do you mix different oils in defused for sleep?
Absolutely! If you are using an essential oil blend, then mixing isn’t really necessary since most blends contain 5-10 oils already. If you are using single oils, then absolutely, you are welcome to add several together in one diffuser.
I would like to use a roller with the oils in it for bedtime with my boys and spouse. What mixture would you recommend?
I use Tranquil from Young Living and it’s works AMAZING. Would not have survived our recent travels from Japan to the US without it. But if you don’t have that roller from YL, the first ones I would use are cedarwood, roman chamomile and lavender in a roller. The cedarwood is key (kinda stinky, but works!).
What would be good for staying asleep I fall asleep as soon as I lay down but after 5 hours I wake up and I can’t go back to sleep.
Can the oil be used on a 7 months old? I want to sleep train her but I don’t know what and how to do it
I had some problems getting to sleep before but since I bought a diffuser I’ve slept way more peacefully! And lavender essential oil is amazing, I’ve heard it’s one of the better essential oils to use. I can’t tell you how much these help! Great Read
i am not feeling like i’m getting accurate or specific recipes for using eos….
i don’t know whether to use all of the eos suggested for sleep or just one
and how many drops to put in a diffuser, and again, all of them or just one
all of the websites are the same, they tell you what to use, but not how much of it
or with more eos or….. please be more specific, and help me. i haven’t used eos before and don’t know what i’m doing………
Personally (I use less than most) I do one of lavender, one of orange…. But it’s for my 2 yr old daughter’s room at night. Most people (from reading/talking to people) use between 5-10 drops in theirs. For even me, I find that amount overwhelmingly strong. You can use one oil, or a blend of your own making. I’m newer to oils as well, so I haven’t tried too many, but if you don’t like a scent you need to use just do one drop, and two+ of a more pleasing scent. You can use them all, or just one it’s really up to you.
i have cedarwood, lavender, and valor how many drops of each should i use for insomnia?
It really depends on the size of your diffuser. The combination, I think is based on your preference, but the total drops should be 6-7 for a 100 – 150 ml water tank, and 8-10 for a 200-350 ml tank. I also have a 750 ml diffuser/vaporizer I haven’t used yet, so I am thinking I would use 15-20 drops in that. I would start on the lighter side, and then increase to the higher recommended amount based on your tolerance. I began using EOs starting with diffusing lavender and a Good Nite blend last summer to help me sleep, as I couldn’t fall asleep and stay asleep. Now I am educating myself in all the benefits, and am slowly becoming addicted.
Yes, we use lavender on the bottoms of the feet to help us sleep!
When was this article published
Some wonderful inspiration for new essential oils blends thank you. I would love to combine aromatherapy with soothing gel eye mask I use pretty much every night. https://time2sleep.co.uk/products/gel-eye-mask Not sure whether I could infuse my mask with a few drops of my favourite oil though, think this may help me make the most of both worlds?
Great content thanks for sharing this with us!!
Hi there
My mom is 75 years old is cancer survivor and has arthiritis and recently was given a thyroid diagnosis but she is strong and has been taken off the chemo and was declared cancer free. Could you please advise what oils I can use just to minimize the different supplements intake?
Hello my son is nelly three years old he is got cerebral pullsy since he is born he is got sleeping issues doesn’t matter what I do he just not settled at night he woke up every half hour please recommend mr something
I just wanted to be added as a follower
Organic Cedarwood Essential Oil is extracted from the wood chips of a cedar tree. This is a more masculine scent that men tend to favor over the floral oils. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antidepressant properties, which are all great for relaxation and sleep.
Thanks for the information. I’ve tried diffusing lavender oil in my room before I go to sleep and it’s caused agitation, restlessness and it seemed an overactive mind. Surely I’m not the only one who has experienced that the couple times I’ve used it before sleep. Anyways, I think I’ll save that one for the day time. The world of EO’s is all unexplored territory to me. I’m eager to experiment with different scents