What Are the Best Essential Oils for Relaxation?

The best essential oil for relaxation is one you enjoy smelling. A pleasant scent can help you settle into a quiet moment, but no single oil works for everyone, and aromatherapy hasn’t been shown to reliably treat anxiety or insomnia.

If you’re choosing your first oil, these three offer different scents:

• Lavender has a floral, herbal scent that many people associate with bedtime. It’s a familiar choice if you want to create an evening routine.

• Roman chamomile has a softer, slightly sweet scent. Try it if you want something floral but find lavender too strong.

• Bergamot smells citrusy and bright. You may prefer it for a break during the day rather than before bed.

All three are used in aromatherapy, but treat those descriptions as a guide to scent preference, not a ranking of proven health benefits.

Start with one oil instead of buying a collection. Add it to a diffuser according to the device’s instructions while you read, stretch, or take a few minutes away from your phone. You can also put a drop on a tissue and leave it nearby. If the smell feels overpowering, move the tissue farther away or stop using it.

You can pair the scent with something that helps you relax, such as a slower evening pace or a break from a demanding task. After a few tries, ask yourself whether you enjoy the routine. That matters more than choosing an oil because it appears on a list of “best” options.

If you apply an essential oil to your skin, dilute it with a carrier oil first and stop if irritation develops. Keep bottles out of children’s and pets’ reach, and never swallow the oil.

Choose a scent you like, use it lightly, and let the routine do the work.

Jennifer Ferdinand, owner of Serendipity Wellness Studio in Burke, VA, has been practicing massage therapy and esthetics since 2006. She is nationally certified through NCBTMB, and licensed in Virginia for both Massage Therapy and Esthetics.