10 Essential Oils for Snoring

Published: Aug 01, 2022
Updated: Sep 16, 2024
10 Essential Oils for Snoring
In this article
    Reading time
    6 min

    Tired of experimenting with different remedies and sprays to get rid of snoring? Then why not to try essential oils for snoring?

    Snoring is a common sleeping problem experienced by 45 percent of adults during their lifetime. But snoring itself isn’t a concern as long as it is not associated with an underlying condition like insomnia or sleep apnea.

    Tons of medicines and remedies are available in the stores to help get relief from loud snoring. But if they aren’t helping, sought-after essential oils- something more natural and tested.

    So, grasp a cup of tea, and continue reading to find the best essential oils for snoring!

    Can Essential Oils Help Decrease Snoring?

    Definitely Yes!

    Essential oils are one of the most tested remedies to help reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms. They help to relieve nasal congestion and open up the blocked nasal airways, resulting in relaxed breathing and less dramatic snores.

    A study done in 2004 supports that 82% of the people prone to snoring reported reduced or no snoring by applying essential oils.

    10 Best Essential Oils for Snoring

    Where hundreds of essential oils are available, not all of them work for snoring.

    So, here is the list of 10 best essential oils that offer promising results against loud snoring.

    Essential Oils are one of the most tested remedies to help reduce snoring and sleep apnea symptoms

    1. Thyme Oil

    According to aromatherapists, thyme oil reduces snoring by multiple folds. It is a potent essential oil containing thymol which helps treat respiratory issues due to its antispasmodic properties. As a result, you experience fewer snores and sleep apnea symptoms.

    You can either rub it on the bottom of your feet before sleeping or diffuse a few drops near your bed.

    ShutEye@3x
    Take control of your snoring with ShutEye App!




    Download Now

    2. Peppermint Oil

    Peppermint Oil works quite well by clearing the sinus, hence easing the breathing issue, which normally causes snoring and sleep apnea. 

    It contains menthol and related compounds whose anti-inflammatory properties help open the airflow.

    3. Eucalyptus Oil

    Inhaling eucalyptus essential oil is known to reduce the dreadful snoring sounds. Its purifying and anti-inflammatory properties loosen the stubborn mucus of the sinus and back and thus, help treat various respiratory problems, including asthma and bronchitis. 

    4. Pine Oil

    Aromatherapists often use Pine Essential Oil to promote better airflow through the nasal and prevent snores.

    Pine contains multiple anti-inflammatory and antioxidants like procyanidins that help to reduce nasal congestion, and relax the stressed muscles, thus helping with both snoring and sleep apnea. 

    5. Fennel Oil 

    Using fennel essential oil for snoring and sleep apnea treatment leaves a marked difference.

    It contains a sweet herbaceous aroma with anti-inflammatory compounds that are known to:

    • Reduce nasal congestion
    • Improve airflow
    • Boots metabolism 
    • Soothe mind and body muscles.

    As a result, the blocked nostrils open, resulting in improved sleep apnea symptoms and snoring.

    the blocked nostrils open, resulting in improved sleep apnea symptoms and snoring

    6. Clove Oil

    Clove oil has health-benefiting properties. For example, it loosens the accumulated phlegm at the back of the throat at night, thus reducing snores.

    Moreover, it clears the stuffy nose, opens the nasal passage, and improves the airflow. That is why it is counted in the list of the best essential oil for snoring treatment. 

    7. Marjoram Oil

    Since the mucus obstructs breathing and leads to snoring, Marjoram oil works against it quite well. It has expectorant and antibacterial properties that break the built-up mucus of the throat, resulting in smoother breathing.

    Marjoram Oil has been used to promote healthy sleep for centuries.

    8. Lemon Oil

    Studies show that lemon oil contains citrus compounds that reduce the inflammation of body tissue. Therefore, it acts on the swollen throat to reduce swelling, thus helping minimize sleep problems, including snoring and sleep apnea. 

    9. Citronella Oil

    If the prime cause behind your earthshaking snores is drinking alcohol and smoking, here comes the right essential oil for use. Citronella Oil is a very good detoxifier that removes all the toxins by increasing urination and sweat. As a result, the chance of snoring at night reduce.

    10. Valerian Oil

    Valerian oil, obtained from pure valerian root, is an excellent sleep aid to reduce snores and sleep apnea symptoms. 

    In fact, it is used in most natural sleeping supplements to promote restful sleep again.

    it is used in most natural sleeping supplements to promote restful sleep again.

    Helps Stop Snoring Spray- A Combo to Try Out!

    Although different essential oils serve their purpose to ease snoring at their end, a spray called Helps Stop Snoringspray was developed in 2004 that showed some really positive results in coping with the loud sounds of snoring and sleep apnea. 

    The spray is a perfect blend of the following essential oils:

    • Peppermint
    • Thyme
    • Lavender
    • Fennel
    • Clove
    • Pine
    • Eucalyptus
    • Lemon
    • Sage

    How to Apply Essential Oils for Snoring and Sleep Apnea Reduction? 

    From stream to massage, there are different ways to enrich yourself with the benefits of essential oils. A few known ways are:

    • Diluting the essential oil and massaging under the nose, around the neck, and near the chest 
    • Rubbing the oil on the lower side of the foot
    • Adding a few drops of essential oil in hot water and practicing steam inhalation to open the blocked airways
    • Diffusing the drops of essential oil around your sleeping space
    • Adding a few drops in a cup of lukewarm water and gargling for a half minute
    there are different ways to enrich yourself with the benefits of essential oils

    How to Track My Sleep Cycle to Detect Snoring and Sleep Apnea?

    Before getting into the treatment, it is better to find the disease first. Therefore, it is better to analyze your sleep cycle and then opt for the treatment. 

    And in the present era of AI, tracking sleep is no more difficult. Thousands of sleep trackers are available that provide the service.

    One of the most reliable sleep trackers is ShutEye®. It records your sleep, the sounds you make during sleeping, along with the intensity, and generates a report to help you get up with your sleep cycle.

    Final thoughts

    Where getting some peaceful shut-eye with snoring or sleep apnea is a dream for you and your partner, essential oils help a lot in reducing the intensity. 

    However, the best practice is to monitor your daily sleep cycle using ShutEye and get a doctor’s recommendation!

    ShutEye@3x
    Track your sleep cycle and kickstart your journey to better sleep
    Download ShutEye For Free
    About authors
    Jessica Brown, a 29-year-old freelance copywriter passionate about human nature and deeply committed to promoting sleep and mental health awareness. Jessica holds a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from the National University of Singapore and a Bachelor's in Biology from the University of Cambridge.

    American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. (n.d.). Snoring, sleeping disorders, and sleep apnea. Retrieved June 20, 2024, from https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/snoring-sleeping-disorders-and-sleep-apnea/

    PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH Phytother. Res. 18, 696–699 (2004) Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI: 10.1002/ptr.136

    Rakover Y, Ben-Arye E, Goldstein LH. [The treatment of respiratory ailments with essential oils of some aromatic medicinal plants]. Harefuah. 2008 Oct;147(10):783-8, 838. Hebrew. PMID: 19039907.

    Zeng WC, Zhang Z, Gao H, Jia LR, He Q. Chemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of essential oil from pine needle (Cedrus deodara). J Food Sci. 2012 Jul;77(7):C824-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2012.02767.x. PMID: 22757704.

    MedlinePlus. (n.d.). Ashwagandha. Retrieved June 20, 2024, from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/700.html

    Orchard A, van Vuuren S. Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:4517971. doi: 10.1155/2017/4517971. Epub 2017 May 4. PMID: 28546822; PMCID: PMC5435909.

    Prichard, A. (2021). Clinical trial report. Consumer Health. Retrieved June 20, 2024, from https://www.consumerhealth.se/app/uploads/sites/8/2021/01/Andrew-Prichard-Clinical-Trial-Report.pdf

    You may also like
    How Long Does Melatonin Make You Sleep?
    how long does melatonin make you sleep
    Updated Sep 16, 2024
    7 min