I did an informal poll of some current essential oil users about what essential oils for sleep they use. I couldn’t believe the variety of answers I got. It seems like every person needs a different oil or oils. So how do you find what oils work for you?
This is what I did for my 9 year-old son because I was having such a hard time finding something that would work. I was really sick of guessing what combo would work. So I worked my way down the list of oils that may possibly help. I only tried one oil at a time and gave each oil 3 days. After a week or two, I found that frankincense essential oil completely helped him sleep peacefully but he still wasn’t sleeping very well. So I kept going down the list and found Balance Grounding Blend and cedarwood essential oil help him sleep better. Then I started putting vetiver essential oil on the back of his neck to help him calm down and actually get to sleep. He’s sleeping much better now. Every person is very different, so if you are having a hard time sleeping, you may want to do a sleep experiment like this too.
Essential Oils for Sleep, Ranked by Order To Try
doTERRA Serenity Restful Complex Softgels (read more about it here)
Lavender essential oil (don’t use too much or it will keep you awake)
Citrus Bliss Invigorating Blend
How Do We Use Essential Oils for Sleep?
For my girls, a calming blend works great. For my son, we both diffuse and put one drop on each of his toes of: frankincense essential oil, vetiver essential oil, cedarwood essential oil and Balance grounding blend. For me, I love vetiver essential oil and cedarwood essential oil.
How Do Others Use Essential Oils for Sleep?
Essential oils like Lavender and Bergamot are rich in linalool and linalyl acetate, compounds that have well-known relaxing properties. These oils can be diffused aromatically in the bedroom to create a calming and peaceful environment, perfect for getting a good night’s sleep. They can also be used topically and taken internally to calm the nervous system, promote relaxation, and lead to a restful sleep. Try placing two to four drops of Lavender or Bergamot essential oil in a warm, herbal tea (Chamomile, Lemongrass, etc.), or another favorite uncaffeinated beverage about 30 minutes before going to bed, or add two to four drops of Lavender into an empty capsule and swallow about 30 minutes before bed.
I use a Grounding Blend, Serenity, Lavender, Vetiver and Roman Chamomile all together, 10 drops each, on a roller bottle & the rest filled with FCO. I put it on my feet- soles & big toe, back of my neck, wrists, behind my ears & temples.
I use Cedarwood essential oil …with Ylang Ylang essential oil.
I use Lavender essential oil and Vetiver essential oil mixed with FCO.
If you are more of a “Type A” personality, try Basil essential oil on the adrenals several times/day.
I like to diffuse Ylang Ylang essential oil and Cedarwood essential at night. Lavender essential oil keeps my oldest son awake so I often use Roman Chamomile essential oil in his room at night.
I diffuse Geranium essential oil and Wild Orange essential oil together. It is so soothing for me, and Ylang Ylang essential oil at night on my chest does it for me.
I use Cedarwood essential oil …with Ylang Ylang essential oil.
Vetiver essential oil, a grounding blend and Marjoram essential oil massaged into the big toes.
I use a grounding blend and then Cedarwood essential oil.
How to Apply
Over Heart
Cup and Inhale
Baths and body or foot massage
Make a 5% water spritz and spray on the pillow
Other Things That Can Cause Minor Sleep Issues
Adrenal Fatigue
Back Problems (the flow of your body is interrupted).
Bad diet, including too much caffeine and sugar.
Make sure you’re getting enough magnesium – a good magnesium oil spray (like Ancient Minerals) on your skin can help.
Reserve the hour before bed for winding down – no cellphone, computer screens, tv, exercise, etc. Let your body relax. And of course, try to regulate your sleep schedule, try to go to bed at the same time each night.
Stay hydrated
What have you tried that works well for sleeping?
doTERRA Essential Oils Sleep Diffuser Blends
Sweet Dreams doTERRA Diffuser Blend
4 drops Lavender Essential Oil
2 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
2 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil
1 drop Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Sleepy Thyme doTERRA Diffuser Blend
1 drop Thyme Essential Oil
1 drop Marjoram Essential Oil
Bedtime Stories doTERRA Diffuser Blend
1 drop Fennel Essential Oil
5 drops Lemon Essential Oil
2 drops Wild Orange Essential Oil
1 drop Cedarwood Essential Oil
Sleep In doTERRA Diffuser Blend
3 drops Vetiver Essential Oil
3 drops Serenity Restful Blend
Sweet Slumber doTERRA Diffuser Blend
3 drops Bergamot Essential Oil
2 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
1 drop Marjoram Essential Oil
Good Night doTERRA Diffuser Blend
3 drops Juniper Berry Essential Oil
3 drops Bergamot Essential Oil
2 drops Vetiver Essential Oil
Sleep Tight doTERRA Diffuser Blend
2 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
2 drops Lavender Essential Oil
Spa Dreams doTERRA Diffuser Blend
3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
4 drops Lime Essential Oil
2 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
Sweet Sleep doTERRA Diffuser Blend
3 drops Bergamot Essential Oil
2 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
1 drop Marjoram Essential Oil
doTERRA Essential Oils Sleepy Snuggles Diffuser Blend
Tuck in for a good night’s sleep with this soothing and comforting diffuser blend
3 drops Juniper Berry Essential Oil
3 drops Bergamot Essential Oil
2 drops Vetiver Essential Oil
doTERRA Essential Oils Basil Balm Diffuser Blend
This blend is designed to relax both body and mind. Diffuse at bedtime to help promote more restful sleep.
1 drop Basil Essential Oil
1 drop Marjoram Essential Oil
1 drop Lavender Essential Oil
doTERRA Essential Oils Deep Sleep Diffuser Blend
Looking for a diffuser blend to help you relax into a deep sleep? Give this one a try!
3 drops Lavender Essential Oil: Promotes peaceful emotions and a feeling of relaxation
3 drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil: Has a calming effect on the mind and body
1 drop Vetiver Essential Oil: Promotes soothing, grounding effects on emotions
Diffuse 1 drop Fennel, 5 drops Lemon, 2 drops Wild Orange and 1 drop Cedarwood to create this dreamy blend. It’s the perfect addition to your child’s nighttime routine.
Peaceful Night doTERRA Diffuser Blend
2 drops Frankincense Essential Oil
3 drops White Fir Essential Oil
2 drops Peace Reassuring Blend
This would be a great opportunity to do some experimenting with these oils. I’ve been wanting to learn more about the essentials oils as I’ve been reading how beneficial they are.
This is the first I’ve ever read that too much lavender can keep you awake… I never really managed how much lavender I was using but I will definitely be keeping an eye on it now. Thank you for so many great oil combination ideas – I’m going to step away from just lavender and experiment with some from this list. I will DEFINITELY be trying the basil over my adrenals daily, and the cedarwood and ylang ylang (or maybe cedarwood and vetiver)! Thanks again!
I’ve been using the hibernation blend I found on Pinterest. Equal parts roman chamomile, frankincense, bergamot and vetiver. I put mine in a spray bottle with water and shake really well before spraying. I love the smell!!!
I was introduced to the essential oils this weekend. The oil I tried was peppermint. Loved it. I’m interested in learning so much more!
We’re glad you visited our site. Enjoy your essential oils journey!
Lovely post! You have a wonderful way of sharing!
I, also, had not heard too much lavender was bad. I’m wondering if that is why a focusing blend I mixed for my kids went horribly wrong with the youngest! Boy does it hype him up.
Not until I found your website, did I realize lavender could be stimulating used in certain quantities. Thanks for that info!! I no longer use it nightly for sleep, as I could never figure out why I was awake all night, with lavender in my diffuser. I use your cedarwood/ ylang ylang combo and it works much better. I still struggle to stay asleep sometimes, but I feel much more rested than ever before. Thank you!!
Yes!!! Lavendar!!
Clove & FCO in a roller bottle helps me
I have made a blend of different EO’s.
I used Vetiver, Lavender & Frankincense…then topped off with FCO in a 10ml roller
40 vetiver, 40 Lavender, 20 Frank, top with FCO in a 10 ml. It smells amazing as well!
Cedarwood knocks me out!
I am trying to figure out the best sleep recipe for my 2 year old. I have tried 6 drops of Lavender and 6 drops of Vetiver topped off with FCO in a roller bottle. He gets calm and tired but it still takes him a long time to go to sleep. Any suggestions?
I think lavender and orange will make us have a good night-sleep. And it really works. I am so happy to read this title. it is amazing . Thank you