Vol. 3, Issue 1, Part A (2026)

Aromatherapy, the use of essential oils for therapeutic purposes, has been a staple of traditional medicine for centuries, offering a range of health benefits, particularly for improving sleep quality. This review explores the role of aromatherapy in enhancing sleep, focusing on both traditional practices and the growing body of scientific evidence supporting its efficacy. Aromatherapy is commonly employed to address sleep disorders such as insomnia, anxiety-induced sleep disturbances, and circadian rhythm imbalances. The use of essential oils such as lavender, chamomile, and valerian has been particularly highlighted for their calming and sedative effects, which contribute to better sleep quality. Traditional practices, rooted in various cultures, have long utilized these oils in conjunction with other modalities, such as massage and inhalation, to promote relaxation and sleep. Recent scientific studies have validated many of these traditional claims, indicating that aromatherapy can indeed improve sleep quality by reducing sleep latency, enhancing deep sleep stages, and mitigating stress and anxiety. Additionally, the physiological mechanisms underlying these effects, including the modulation of neurotransmitter activity and the impact on autonomic nervous system regulation, are discussed. This review examines both historical applications of aromatherapy and contemporary clinical research, providing a comprehensive understanding of its role in sleep management. Given the global rise in sleep disorders and the increasing interest in non-pharmacological treatments, aromatherapy emerges as a promising and accessible approach for improving sleep quality. This paper aims to synthesize the available evidence, offering insights into the therapeutic potential of aromatherapy and proposing directions for future research.