This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information.
With strict editorial sourcing guidelines, we only link to academic research institutions, reputable media sites and, when research is available, medically peer-reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by our trained editorial staff. Note that the numbers in parentheses (1, 2, etc.) are clickable links to medically peer-reviewed studies.
Our team includes licensed nutritionists and dietitians, certified health education specialists, as well as certified strength and conditioning specialists, personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased.
The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
DIY Sleep Aid with 4 Essential Oils
March 9, 2018
Essential oils have long been known to help with numerous ailments and celebrations, and that includes the birth of Jesus! The wide array of benefits is endless and helping you get a restful night of sleep is one of them. What’s great about essential oils is that you don’t get that groggy feeling or other side effects that often comes with a synthetic sleep aid. While improving sleep positions can help, essential oils in a DIY Sleep Aid may be the way to go!
According to a study published by Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, cancer patients have a particularly tough go at getting good sleep. Subjects were given aromatherapy over a 13-week period of time. The effects were very beneficial, producing more sleep for the patients. In fact, over 90 percent said they would continue use of the blend that included bergamot, lavender, sandalwood, frankincense and mandarin. (1)
It has also been reported that some healthcare facilities are incorporating aromatherapy within their practice to help patients with anxiety and better sleep. (2) Here’s a DIY sleep aid recipe that uses aromatherapy and will help nearly anyone sleep better.
Related: What Is White Noise? Benefits for Sleep & More
Essential Oils for Sleep: How to Make a DIY Sleep Aid
To make your DIY sleep aid blend, place each of the oils in your bottle, put the cap on and shake well. These ingredients are amazing for some much-needed shut eye. Lavender oil is so versatile. I use it throughout the day for a calming effect, which holds true for solid sleep. It relaxes the body and eases tension creating the perfect platform for rest.
Frankincense offers feelings of relaxation and other health benefits, such as reducing chronic stress, anxiety, pain and inflammation, while boosting your immunity. It has even been noted as a cancer-fighter. Additionally, it can create a balanced mood upon waking.
Cedarwood essential oil has a warm, woody scent that can help promote a good night of rest. It’s both grounding and calming, which enhances that relaxation mode. It relieves tension by producing serotonin that causes the release of melatonin. Melatonin helps induce a sedative state that can offer restorative sleep and give you a refreshed feeling in the morning. (3)
And lastly, bergamot essential oil may help add to the calming of the body and mind. It can relieve nervous tension by stimulating dopamine and serotonin while delivering a sedative, relaxing and content feeling.
Now that you have your DIY Aromatherapy Sleep Blend, follow the directions for your diffuser. Most require that you add water to a certain level indicated on the diffuser. Then, add 8–10 drops of your new DIY sleep aid. Place the diffuser in your bedroom and turn on a few minutes before you plan to go to bed.
DIY Sleep Aid with 4 Essential Oils
Ingredients:
- 20 drops lavender essential oil
- 20 drops frankincense essential oil
- 20 drops cedarwood essential oil
- 20 drops bergamot essential oil
- diffuser
- small dark-colored bottle with a tight lid
Directions:
- Combine all oils into a small, dark-colored bottle.
- Cap the bottle tightly, and shake well to blend.
- Follow directions for your diffuser by adding water as needed.
- Add about 10 drops of your blend into your diffuser.
- Place in your bedroom at night a few minutes before bedtime and turn on.
Comments
Please keep comments under 200 characters.
Leave a Reply
30 Comments
Popular Beauty Posts
I like the aroma of this blend. I am adding Clary Sage to it since it is helpful for insomnia too. I read about it on your Clary Sage page. https://draxe.com/essential-oils/clary-sage/
All of these are safe for my dogs too.
Is this sleep aid (4 oils) safe to diffuse with dogs in the same bedroom?
Thanks
Whenever you diffuse around animals, make sure they have a way to escape or leave the room. If it gets to be too much, they will then leave. They have sensitive noses and what might seem ok for us, or even our senses, can be completely overwhelming for them!
What type of essential oil diffuser do you recommend?
Excellent mix. Always try oils first. Dr. Axe is a great resource. Utilize his information.
Thank you Doctor Axe
Thank you so much for these comprehensive guides to essential oils. I have followed you and I trust your advice. In this day and age we have to be careful of who we listen to, not everyone is trustworthy.
If you sleep badly, you should also think of choosing right furniture (a bed and a mattress). Not only comfort during rest, but also health depends of their quality. The right choice of a mattress can be a reliable help in the treatment of insomnia, pain in the muscles and spine, allergic diseases. Providing yourself a comfortable and healthy sleep, it is easier to cope with a feeling of constant fatigue and irritability…
what can I use for sinus issues?
Could you use this mix on charkra bracelets or directly onto your skin?
Would it be safe to add essential oils to the distilled water reservoir in my cpap machine? If so, how many drops – the reservoir holds 1 and 1/4 cups of water. The technician that instructed me in the equipment’s use thought it would be fine. Would it be better to use an extract or infusion since water and oil don’t mix? If oils or extracts are used, do they need to be pharmaceutical grade?
I would never recommend doing that. Diffusers are a great way to scent your home with the benefits of essential oils. The plastic in a cpap machine is more than likely not tested for oil use and can degrade over time. You do not want that doing through a tube directly into someone’s body. That’s a sure way to potentially get too much oil in your body and make you sick.
My husband has a cpap and I got him this attachment in order to infuse essential oils for sleep and other congestive issues. It was awesome with covid. Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Diffuser-Aromatherapy-Infusion-Adapter/dp/B088LQ8J31/ref=sr_1_9?crid=321GOWN3NVUSC&keywords=essential+oil+attachment+for+cpap&qid=1678806333&sprefix=essential+oil+attachment+%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-9
you must use a carrier oil with the oils if putting on the skin, like almond oil ect..
Question about the ingredients:
…. “”bergamot, lavender, sandalwood, frankincense and mandarin.””
20 drops lavender essential oil
20 drops frankincense essential oil
20 drops cedarwood essential oil
20 drops bergamot essential oil
Sandalwood, cedarwood, does it matter which one?
I’ve heard about apply to the bottom of your feet, does that work?
The bottoms of feet are extremely effective places for absorption – probably because they are usually warm and moist. Always dilute E-oils with a carrier oil. Most advise a 2 – 3% dilution for TOPICAL use on adults (much too strong for children): 2% dilution = 6 drops of E-oil/TBL of carrier oil; 3% dilution = 9 drops of E-oil/TBL of C-oil. SHAKE WELL before applying. Until you decide whether you like a particular blend or not, best to mix up small batches.
Dear Dr Axe,I really enjoy watching you videos and all you say I agree on it.
I want to ask you about what brand of essentially oils do you use because I’m into the DoTerra eo.I have sleep problems and lavender gives me nightmares, cedarwood,basil and white for help me good but This company states that their oils are the purest but I want to try others, thank you very much!!
Only one company offers a Seed to Seal Guarantee and that’s Young Living.
…but, the lawsuit proved that they were not doing that Seed to Seal process and many executives left to make a company that would uphold the standards. The thorough investigation/lawsuit took the state of Utah 3 years to conclude and the court decided that YL was indeed
not actually supplying that guarantee.
YES!!! Standards and science are the most important. No fractionated oils with YL!
Have you tryed young living ? There amazing no harsh chemicals no fillers and they are seed to seal and tested daily do some research you may love them !!
Gary young, founder of Young Living has killed one of his children, been arrested more than a dozen times due to him practicing medicine without ever going to school for it. Getting a supposed degree from an online fake college doesn’t count.. Not to mention Y. L. harvested rosewood fraudulently. Need I say more.. I couldn’t trust a company that has had such issues.
Thank you?
How and where would you apply this topically if possible? Problem is waking around 3 a.m.
Hi. Instead of putting it in the diffuser, I spray it on my chest and neck, sometimes my feet. I’m sleeping longer and not waking up with hot flashes. I love this mixture.
This doesn’t work if you have Restless leg syndrome. I use Doterra oils for everything and want to get off medication for restless leg syndrome and tried this but I was up all night with my legs moving constantly. I used both the diffuser and put the mixture on me.
Have you tried a magnesium lotion with these oils in it? I make one that has helped lots of people who have trouble sleeping.
Magnesium can also help people with restless legs!
Can you please give me the receptor?
Can you supply the recipe for the magnesium lotion