Several studies show that lavender oil, frequently used in aromatherapy, helps alleviate insomnia. In one study of four elderly patients, medications used for sleep were removed and as one would expect, time spent asleep decreased. When the sleep medications were replaced with lavender oil aromatherapy, time asleep return to the same level as seen with the medications. Another study of 10 volunteers, suggested that lavender oil helps with insomnia, whereas the control, almond oil, did not. Note that these results did not reach statistical significance which may be in part due to the small study size.

Aromatherapy for sleep
Use an electric diffuser or simply place several drops of lavender essential oil on a cloth and keep it on your nightstand to help you sleep. Lavender essential oil comes from extracts of lavender leaves.  It is not for oral consumption.