Can’t sleep? Experts swear by these stress-relieving fragrance notes to help you drift off

There is little worse than not being able to sleep at night, from the tossing and turning, to worrying about being tired, to endless anxious thoughts ruminating in the dark of the night. Unfortunately, insomnia is more rife than ever, with 36% of adults struggling to fall asleep on a weekly basis or more, according to a 2021 survey and another showed that the number of people experiencing insomnia rose from one in six to one in four during the first year of the pandemic. 

As anyone who has had the misfortunate of not being able to sleep will know, you’ll try just about anything to get some quality shut-eye. Luckily, the internet is bursting with ways to address unhealthy sleeping patterns, from cognitive behavioural therapy to SAD lamps to yoga. 

However, there may be a simple trick we’re missing when it comes to treating sleeplessness, and it starts with the right scent. “Sleep deprivation is an epidemic of its own and with the world in crisis, sleep is more important than ever,” says Farida Irani, founder of Subtle Energies.

 “Generally, people know there are essential oils to be calming or relaxing, however, there are some which go deeper, working via the olfactory within the limbic region of the brain impacting the pineal and pituitary gland which in turn balance the hormones that aid you to sleep.”

Luke Taylor, master blender for Aroma Active Laboratories, agrees. “If we take our minds back to the times when we really enjoyed our sleep, chances are we allowed ourselves to feel tired before dropping off,” he says. ”Try to add sleep-inducing activities as bedtime approaches, including some simple yet practical activities involving calming essential oils.”

According to both experts, there are certain essential oils that contain certain chemical constituents that activate the body’s natural sleep hormones including melatonin. Here are a few of the most powerful essential molecules known to aid sleep, as well as ways to incorporate them into your bedtime routine… 

Mogra Oil

Mogra, also known as Jasminum sambac, is a potent oil for sleep aid and is great for activating melatonin. ”You can use Mogra oil within a blend for example a facial blend or by applying it to the pulse points,” suggests Farida. “The Subtle Energies Facial Blend doubles up as a cell renewing serum and also an effective tool against anxiety, emotional imbalance and sleep. The active ingredients of Mogra and a unique quality of Indian Rose work through the olfactory system, sending chemical messengers almost instantaneously.” The brand also offer self-adhering Blissful Sleep Inhalation Patches that can be stuck onto pulse points that carry the same active aromas for easy top-ups of your chosen blend. 

Lavandin Oil

The lesser known sibling of lavender, lavandin oil has a slightly stronger aroma as well as a high level of camphor, a medicinal compound commonly used to treat aches and pains as well as relieve tension.