In order to achieve optimal health and overall wellbeing, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and the Sleep Research Society suggests that every American adult aged 18-60 should get at least 7 hours each night. This may be doable for some people, but with people with circumstances both uncontrollable (i.e. on night-shift, flexible work hours) and medical (i.e insomnia), a little aid is required.

Although a sleeping pill bought over the counter is an easy solution, there is another easy, more natural alternative: essential oils.

Although only gaining popularity in the last few years, essential oils have been around since the earliest people discovered traditional medicine. Several plants, herbs, and even flowers, have proven themselves time and time again that they are effective in getting people relaxed or even sleep. Moreover, they rarely have side-effects as compared to the mildest sleeping pill out there.

Essential Oil Recipes for Relaxation

Chamomile, Clary Sage, Lemon, Mandarin, Marjoram, Neroli, Ylang-ylang , and Rose oils are some of the essential oils that can promote calming effects. This is because the properties found in a combination of up to five of these essential oils can slow brain wave patterns, and therefore produce the sensation of relaxation.

If you want to meditate and achieve a spiritual calmness, the following oils are suitable to use:

• Vetiver
• Chamomile
• Rose
• Spikenard
• Frankincense

If you want to simply relax or get in a chill mood following a very long day of school or work, turn your diffuser on and try one of these essential oil recipes in your diffuser:

• 20 drops Chamomile
• 15 drops Lavender
• 10 drops Clary Sage
• 10 drops Geranium
• 5 drops Ylang-Ylang

• 6 drops Lavender
• 4 drops Chamomile
• 4 drops Ylang-ylang

• 2 drops Wild Orange
• 2 drops Bergamot
• 2 drops Cypress; and
• 2 drops Frankincense

Essential Oil Recipes for Sleep

Try this essential oil recipe to promote sleep. Make sure you turn on the diffuser 30 minutes before bedtime:

• 2 drops of Clary Sage
• 5 drops of Lavender
• 8 drops of Chamomile; and
• 4 drops of Bergamot

Tips:

• If you’re getting a candle diffuser, don’t leave it all night. If you need to sleep through, set a timer for you to wake up and blow the candle off.
• There are some electric diffusers that allows you to set a certain amount of time to turn it on or off.
• If you have a kid that keeps you awake, you can use a diffuser to put him or her to sleep or relax. Make sure that you place somewhere that is child-proof.
• If you plan to use a diffuser in your kid’s room or use it in a room with your kid, make sure that you consult a doctor first. Some toddlers and babies may be too sensitive for aromatherapy.