Essential Oils by Wellness Goal
Essential oils for sleep, anxiety, headache, nausea, skin and hair - what NIH summaries and research counts show for each goal, with limits and cautions.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
This page asks what research shows for common goals. It does not promise benefits, and it is not advice to treat a medical condition yourself. For each goal, the evidence comes from NIH summaries of specific oils. Read Essential oil safety first.
| Goal | What the research shows | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Sleep and insomnia | Aromatherapy is sometimes used for insomnia, but little rigorous research has been done, so it is not known whether it helps. [1] For lavender, it is unclear whether aromatherapy improves sleep quality or insomnia. [2] | Insufficient |
| Anxiety and stress | A specific oral lavender oil product might help anxiety in small studies with limitations; for lavender aromatherapy it is unclear. [2] In one study of people under stress, lemon scent improved mood, but neither lemon nor lavender affected stress indicators. [1] | Limited and mixed |
| Headache | A limited amount of evidence suggests peppermint oil applied to the skin might relieve tension headaches. [3] | Limited |
| Nausea | A small amount of research suggests inhaled peppermint oil can reduce nausea and vomiting in people undergoing chemotherapy. [3] | Small amount of research |
| Digestion and IBS | Enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules may improve IBS symptoms in adults; this is a specific product, not oil from a bottle. [3] | Small amount of research |
| Acne | A small amount of research suggests topical tea tree oil might help. [4] | Limited |
| Athlete's foot | A small amount of research suggests topical tea tree oil may help but may not work as well as standard treatments. [4] | Limited |
| Hair growth, skin in general, immune support, pain, memory | We did not find an NIH summary that supports these uses for essential oils, so we make no claim. | Not assessed here |
How to read this table
- Different oils, different evidence. A result for peppermint does not apply to lavender.
- A product, not a bottle. Some studies used specific capsules, creams or rinses.
- Human studies are what count for a claim. Lab studies cannot tell you what an oil does in people. See Research.
Frequently asked questions
What essential oil is best for sleep?
NIH does not identify one. It says it is unclear whether lavender aromatherapy improves sleep or insomnia. [2]
Do essential oils help hair growth?
We found no NIH summary supporting this, so we make no claim. Searches for rosemary oil and hair growth are common, and a rosemary guide is planned.
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Aromatherapy. Page last updated January 2020.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Lavender: Usefulness and Safety. Page last updated February 2025.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Peppermint Oil: Usefulness and Safety. Page last updated May 2025.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Tea Tree Oil: Usefulness and Safety. Page last updated April 2025.