If this traditional sleeping aid has stopped working for you - this is why

If this traditional sleeping aid has stopped working for you - this is whyTesting has found an alarming reason for a popular home remedy to no longer be effective Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments By Tony Whitfield 22:00, Sat, May 30, 2026 A bottle of essential oil with fresh lavender twigs on a wooden background (Image: Getty Images)Countless generations have used the relaxing aroma of English lavender oil as a sleeping aid at home. But there has been a recent increase in reports of the traditional remedy no longer working, prompting a natural essential oil supplier to test some of those being sold online. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) This found unscrupulous suppliers, particularly from China and India, have been using cheaper oils and artificial fragrances to bulk out their products and undercut pure lavender essential oil products, as these are in high demand and relatively expensive. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the day's biggest headlines in UK and World news and more Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy PolicyNow natural products tested 28 popular products sold on Amazon US and marketed as “Lavandula angustifolia” - English lavender or “pure lavender essential oil”.A woman holding pipette of essentia...