Among several recent essential oil-related research papers published, I came across one titled The Effect of Citrus Aurantium Aroma on the Sleep Quality in Postmenopausal Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.



Poor sleep quality is one of the most common problems postmenopausal women deal with. This study looked at how inhalation of neroli essential oil might impact sleep quality.



What is neroli?



Neroli essential oil comes from the flowers of the Citrus aurantium, or bitter orange tree. This sometimes creates confusion in natural products, as the bitter orange itself is also used as a nutritional supplement. 



Bitter orange contains synephrine, a close cousin of ephedrine, which has been shown to support fat loss without the adverse cardiovascular effects of ephedrine.



A Citrus aurantium subspecies called Citrus aurantium bergamia is also useful in natural health. This is where we get bergamot from.



With all that said, the focus of this blog post is on neroli, the essential oil from the flowers of the bitter orange tree.



Previous research on neroli



According to a 2018 review, neroli has the following biological properties in humans or animals:



Biological Properties of Citrus Aurantium EssenceAnti-amnesicAntibacterialAntifungalAntioxidantAnti-inflammatoryAntiseizure and anticonvulsantAnxiolytic and antidepressantCentral and peripheral antinociceptive effectsEndothelium- and smooth muscle-dependent vasodilatorHypotensiveMenopausal symptoms reliefPremenstrual syndrome (PMS) reliefSedative, soothing, motor relaxantSexual desire enhancerAdapted from Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils, Table 3



The effects may vary based on whether neroli essential oil is used internally, topically, or aromatically. 



Read also: Tangerine Essential Oil, Sedation, Sleep, and Focused Thinking.



Postmenopausal Changes



Post-menopause, women experience a variety of health challenges due to their significantly-reduced estrogen levels. Difficulty with sleep is the most common.



Sleep problems arise due to a reduction in melatonin and serotonin that follows a large drop in estrogen. Hot flashes may also cause women to wake often during the night.



Though the hormonal shift itself may lead to sleep loss and health problems, prolonged sleep debt may amplify these health problems as well.



Conventional medicine offers some solutions, but with serious risks.




Hormonal therapy, sedative and hypnotic drugs are the treatment methods for sleep disorders but they can cause harmful effects such as breast cancer, thrombosis, drowsiness, and impaired mental ability.
Abbaspoor Z, et al.



Neroli Essential Oil and Sleep in Postmenopausal Women



As mentioned above, previous studies have shown that neroli essential oil helps with many menopausal symptoms. 



As for sleep, aromatherapy with neroli essential oil improved sleep in studies with people who had type II diabetes, ischemic heart disease, or heart failure, and in female nursing students.



In this recent, randomized, controlled trial, researchers divided 80 postmenopausal women, ages 45-60, with sleep problems into two groups: A control group and an intervention group.



The control group received a bottle of almond oil. The intervention group received a bottle containing a 10% concentration of neroli essential oil.



Researchers instructed both groups to put two drops of the oil they received on their left or right forearm skin, and hold their forearm 30 cm (about 1 ft.) from their nose for five minutes, twice per day, for four consecutive days per week for four weeks.



They completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) before the trial and at the end of the four weeks.



Consistent with other studies, the women who used the essential oil experienced a significant improvement in sleep quality.



It’s also worth mentioning that no adverse events were reported. 



Read also: Effects of Rose Essential Oil on Sleep and Feelings...