Essential oils have long been used for aromatherapy. Thanks to their calming and relaxing properties, they’re a great natural aid for easing the mind and promoting sleep.
If you’re struggling to drift off at night or just want to add an extra element to your bedtime routine, the sleep experts from Pillow World have put together some soothing essential oil recipes.
These blends can be used in various ways, such as in a diffuser, diluted in a carrier oil (like sweet almond oil) for massaging, or added to your nighttime bath. You can even make a pillow spray by adding your favourite essential oil blends to a spray bottle filled with water.
With any of the scents below, feel free to adjust the number of drops according to personal preference and the size of your diffuser or the concentration of your blend.
- Lavender, ylang-ylang & sandalwood
Known for its calming and soothing properties, lavender is a popular scent used in aromatherapy. It’s particularly beloved by those wanting to de-stress, relax the mind and body and get a more restful night’s sleep. Combined with the sweet floral aroma of ylang-ylang and the woody grounding scent of sandalwood, this inviting blend can improve mental clarity and help promote deep, peaceful sleep. We’d recommend four drops of lavender and three drops each of ylang-ylang and sandalwood.

- Cedarwood, chamomile & bergamot
Cedarwood has a similar woody scent to sandalwood but with a slightly cosier and spicier fragrance. This grounding blend combines the tranquil aroma of cedarwood with chamomile, another very popular herb for relaxation, along with the uplifting citrusy notes of bergamot. We recommend combining five drops of cedarwood with three drops of chamomile and two drops of bergamot.
- Vetiver, cedarwood & frankincense
Vetiver is known for its fresh, grassy scent, often likened to the smell of freshly cut grass on a warm day. Because of this, vetiver essential oil is commonly used in aromatherapy for grounding. Similarly, the rich, warm scent of frankincense is said to bring peace and tranquillity. Combined with the woody notes of cedarwood this blend can bring a sense of calm to your bedtime routine. To make it, mix four drops of vetiver with three drops each of cedarwood and frankincense.
- Clary sage, marjoram & sweet orange
If you prefer something sweeter and lighter, then you’ll love this floral and citrus blend. With clary sage for stress relief, marjoram for warmth and comfort, and sweet orange for uplifting the mood, this essential oil recipe will be your new bedtime best friend. Simply combine four drops of clary sage with three drops each of marjoram and sweet orange oil.
- Lavender, bergamot, patchouli & marjoram
For this blend, let the soothing scent of lavender and citrusy notes of bergamot relieve any stress and anxiety you’re holding onto. The warm, earthy notes of patchouli and marjoram help ground you for a sense of restfulness. For best results, combine three drops of lavender, two drops each of bergamot and patchouli, and one drop of marjoram.

Comment:
“Your bedtime routine and sleep environment can have a big impact on the quality of your rest. If you’re struggling to get to sleep at night, give one of these essential oil blends a try. You can drop them straight in your bath, turn them into a DIY pillow spray, or diffuse them into your bedroom.”
“To truly create the optimal sleep environment, make sure to keep your room cool, dark, and quiet. Choose a pillow that supports your head and neck to encourage proper spinal alignment and prevent any back aches and pains. You may also want to invest in a specialised pillow such as a lavender pillow, anti-allergy pillow, anti-snore pillow, or a cooling pillow if any stress, sneezing, snoring, or sweating have you tossing and turning at night.”
— Greg Suthern, CEO at Pillow World