Lavender for Better Sleep

Lavender for Better Sleep

How to Use Lavender for Sleep

Not only is lavender a great option for a personal fragrance, but it’s also delightful when used to scent your home! I use lavender in almost all of my diffuser blends in the home, as well as in homemade room sprays or linen sprays.

Of course, it smells lovely, but it also has sedative properties [1]. It helps ease stress and tension and can also encourage a good night’s rest [2]. While there are several things you can do to promote better quality sleep, utilizing essential oils is one of the simplest and most pleasurable ways to do it!

Lavender Essential Oil for Sleep

Lavender essential oil is well-known for its soothing and calming properties, making it a popular choice for promoting better sleep. Here are some effective ways to use lavender essential oil to help improve your sleep:

Aromatherapy

Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to an essential oil diffuser and run it in your bedroom for about 30 minutes before bedtime. The calming aroma will create a serene atmosphere conducive to sleep.

The best time to diffuse these lavender essential oil sleep blends depends on your personal routine and sleep patterns. Diffuse your chosen blend in your bedroom about 30 minutes to an hour before your planned bedtime. This allows the calming aromas to fill the room and create a relaxing atmosphere, signaling to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep.

DIY Sleep Balm

Make a DIY sleep balm by combining lavender essential oil with shea butter or coconut oil. Apply a small amount to your pulse points and chest before bedtime for a soothing bedtime ritual.

Inhalation Steam

Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a bowl of hot water, create a tent with a towel, and inhale the steam. This can be especially helpful if you have congestion or sinus issues that disrupt your sleep, plus it will unclog your pores just in time for your evening skincare routine.

References:

  1. López V, et al. Exploring pharmacological mechanisms of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on central nervous system targets. Front Pharmacol. 2017.
  2. Buchbauer G, et al. Aromatherapy: evidence for sedative effects of the essential oil of lavender after inhalation. Z Naturforsch C J Biosci. 1991.
  3. Lillehei AS, et al. Effect of inhaled lavender and sleep hygiene on self-reported sleep issues: a randomized controlled trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2015.
  4. Dos Reis Lucena L, et al. Lavender essential oil on postmenopausal women with insomnia: double-blind randomized trial. Complement Ther Med. 2021.
  5. Samuelson R, et al. The effects of lavender essential oil on wound healing: a review of the current evidence. J Altern Complement Med. 2020.
  6. Esteves Cardia GF, et al. Effect of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil on acute inflammatory response. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2018.
  7. Lee BH, et al. Hair growth-promoting effects of lavender oil in C57BL/6 mice. Toxicol Res. 2016.
  8. Mesic A, et al. Evaluation of toxicological and antimicrobial activity of lavender and immortelle essential oils. Drug Chem Toxicol. 2021.
  9. Sabo VA, et al. Antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehn. plant extracts and essential oils: a review. Ind Crops Prod. 2019.
  10. Sasannejad P, et al. Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur Neurol. 2012.