Over the past several years I’ve had a lot of trouble sleeping. It seems as though if I’m not having trouble falling asleep, I’m having trouble staying asleep. And I know I’m not the only one!
According to the American Sleep Association, an estimated 60 million adults in the U.S. suffer from some type of sleep disorder. That’s a lot of people who aren’t getting enough sleep, which is especially concerning when you consider what a crucial role it plays in our overall health and wellness!
A Simple Sleep Solution (With Added Benefits!)
Luckily, a few years ago I discovered a secret weapon for getting a good night’s sleep: my homemade Sleep Salve! This homemade concoction of natural oils and beeswax is surprisingly easy to mix up at home, and I’ll be showing you how to make it in today’s post!
The star ingredient in this salve is Slumber Essential Oil Blend, a blend of several essential oils known to have relaxing and stress-relieving effects, like lavender, bergamot, and marjoram. It has a lovely scent that falls somewhere between floral and woodsy, like a glade of wildflowers amidst a forest of evergreens. (No wonder it makes me sleep like a log!) ;-)
Not only does applying this salve at bedtime help me relax and unwind, but it also helps with my perpetually dry heels! And who doesn’t love a good two-for-one? I feel confident that you’ll end up loving this Sleep Salve just as much as I do. :-)
Note that the recipe below makes enough for four small jars of salve. One small jar lasts me a few weeks, so you could easily half this recipe if you wanted to make less (or you could always give the extras away as gifts!)
How To Make Your Own All-Natural Sleep Salve
Ingredients:
1 cup organic virgin coconut oil
1 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
4 Tbsp beeswax pastilles
1/2 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)
~200 drops (about 10 ml) Slumber Essential Oil Blend , divided
Tools & Supplies:
- Double boiler (or a glass bowl and a saucepan, see below)
- 4 (4-ounce) glass jars with lids
Directions:
Add the coconut oil, olive oil, and beeswax to the top of a double boiler, or a glass bowl suspended over a pan of simmering water. Melt the oils and wax together over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture has completely liquified and the ingredients are well incorporated.
Meanwhile, gather your glass jars and your bottle of Slumber Essential Oil Blend. Add about 50 drops of Slumber blend (and around 1/8 teaspoon of vitamin E oil, if using) to the bottom of each jar.
Then divide the oil and wax mixture evenly among the jars.
Let the jars sit out to cool until the salve has set, then put the lids on the jars and store them in a cool location away from direct sunlight. Each jar will keep for about 8 months.
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How To Use Your Sleep Salve
Before bed, apply a generous amount of the sleep salve to the bottoms of your feet. The oil absorbs pretty quickly, but you can always throw on a pair of socks if you don’t want to grease up your sheets.
In fact, I actually recommend throwing on a pair of socks after applying the salve if you have really dry feet or cracked heels! The socks will trap the moisturizing oils against your skin overnight, and you’ll wake up with softer, smoother feet.
As an all-natural sleep aid, this stuff is amazing, but ending up with soft and supple feet is a pretty great bonus too. :-) Sweet dreams!
Do you struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep?
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Unfortunately, SLUMBER BLEND is out of stock 2/15/2023. Any chance of getting the recipe for those of us who have essential oils and fractionated coconut oil, and not looking to sell things? I understand if it is a propriety issue, Jillee,l just let me know..
Please log in or create a free account to comment.4 jars is to much for me. Can I cut this recipe in half or even 1/4?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillian, I made the sleep salve and mine did not set up, what can I do? I checked to make sure I use correct amounts and I did. It is very runny.
Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve been using this for about 10 days, after I found the original formula that listed the different essential oils for this recipe on YouTube. While my feet feel wonderful I can’t help but wonder if one of the essential oils is overstimulating my restless leg syndrome because it’s been over the top since I started using this. It wasn’t this bad before I started using this and this is the only change in my routine, no new activities, etc. I googled to see if there were any essential oils listed as being beneficial for restless legs, so I’m going to tinker with the essential oil blend. Maybe it’s one of the oils in this formula, or maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I do like the way my feet feel, so will continue to play with it using combinations listed as beneficial for restless leg syndrome.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea for people like me who also can’t stay asleep. I love your pjs too.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you need to use solid Coconut Oil?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have Organic Virgin Liquid Coconut Oil.
I love this idea, but I have a question, don’t you need to stir the essential oils and the wax/oil mixture together? It just says to add the oils and pour the oil and wax mixture over it, then seal. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you have to use 50 drops of oil to the mixture the oils must not be very potent. I suggest you check where you are getting your oils from as it must not be great quality.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Instead of counting the drops, what would a measurement be with a syringe?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any idea?
If using a syringe, use 5ml…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The recipee says 50 drops or 10 ml 2× 5 ml syringe
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee-
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When I make the dream essential oil blend, would it still be as effective without the cinnamon?
I am allergic to cinnamon. Is there maybe an alternative “spice” that I can use?
Thank you
You could use clove, or you could just leave it out :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you
1 cup how many ml? Or how many g?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.1 cup is 236.5 mL, or 8 fluid ounces :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jilly, I love your site! I am considering making this for gifts this coming year. Is there a way to get those really cute labels? Thanks so much for all you do!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.They are these labels, and they come with instructions for printing :-) http://amzn.to/2G3rFLf
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jilly – could you please provide a weight for the 4 tsp of beeswax pellets (for those who grate their own beeswax)? Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It’s about 1/2 an ounce :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Still liquid, whenever I take out of refrigerator. Is this like candy or fudge and won’t harden if cooked too fast?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No, it is not at all like cooking candy, it should be much easier! How long has it been in the fridge? Try the freezer! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OK, so I made this yesterday and it is still liquid! What did I do wrong? I don’t want to throw it away, is there anyway to remedy this?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Place it in the fridge for a few hours :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.thanks
If I need to leave out the grapefruit oil, due to taking a statin, is there a substitute oil to put in? If not or if I just leave it out, how many drops do I put into the mixture? Of course I realize this as I am getting ready to make it!!!! Luckily the coconut oil and pastilles and olive oil are still sealed in their packages.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks Jillee
You can leave out the grapefruit oil, and add 5 more drops of each of the other oils :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the fast response!
Grapefruit ESSENTIAL OIL (as opposed to actual grapefruit or it’s juice), will not interact with statins. Check out Robert Tisserand’s comments on it. He’s the guru of essential oil safety and has written a book about essential oil safety.
Can I put this salve in screw top tins or must it be glass jars ?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can put it in anything! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can I leave out the coconut and increase the liquid oil and up the wax some?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Leaving out the coconut oil is hard, because it has such a particular texture. You could replace it with a different oil, and increase the wax a bit, but you’ll have to do some experimentation!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I can’t wait to try this. I can use all the help I can get with both my sleep and softening my feet.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If I may share a tip for a better nights sleep. Set your alarm every night. When you turn out the lights, turn your clock away from your view. If you wake up for any reason, do not look at the clock. You will be surprised how wakeful you can be if you worry about the time! I’ve done this for the past 6 months or so, as well, told friends about it. They have thanked me and say it really helps when they wake up, to get right back to sleep.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s a great tip Elaine!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t want to sound like a nag but I’m not getting it.
When you pour the heated mixture into the jar of oils…do you mix it then…or…just pour it over the oils without stirring and just let it cool?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You don’t need to stir! As you pour, the oils get mixed in. :-) It won’t hurt to stir, though!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use the Dream Salve every night and I love it. My feet are very soft and feel great. I do have trouble sleeping and don’t want to use drugs to go to sleep so this is a great alternative.B
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Are there printable directions for the foot salve? I am an dinosaur and like to keep paper copies to refer to. BTW, I love your posts. They are very clear and informative.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Of course! There is a green “printer friendly” button at the bottom of each post :-) After clicking it, you can choose to remove the photos, or make them smaller. You can print just what you need :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.In the past few posts, when I’ve clicked on Older Comments link at the bottom of the first page of comments I get an error message that the page no longer exists and that it’s being worked on. I love reading the comments so wanted to let you know if case you don’t know. It says:
OOPS!
The page you are looking for no longer exists. We’ll get that fixed soon. Meanwhile, checkout these fresh ideas:
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We are working on this! So sorry Anne, it should be fixed soon :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love anything related to pampering my feet …. sadly, as I have grown older my main problem is as simple as not being able to reach or see my toe nails well in order to keep them trimmed. Even a pedicure is not possible because I have a nail fungus on my big toe and they will not work with that problem. : (
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Any ideas ?
Try a foot soak! http://jillee.co/2G9uOsD
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a mixture I have been using and it really works great!!! Use the foot bath or just sit on the side of bathtub. Use warm/hot water (your choice) one gallon of water, 1/8 cup of bleach, 1/2 cup of Listerine (original) the brown colored. I soak my feet at least twice a week. It clears up any fungus you might have in no time at all. Once it’s not a problem anymore have someone but the salve for you . Good luck
I have found applying Tea Tree oil to my toenails twice daily has helped alleviate any toenail fungus. Be patient! It takes about 6 months before you see good results, but getting rid of the fungus is worth the effort. The oil will soak into the toenail and the surrounding skin.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been using rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and spraying my nails and between my toes. Have greatly improved both nails and toes. I have nail fungus in both big toes and have occasional athlete’s feet. Using the rubbing alcohol seems to work……………………….Good luck……………….
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I work at a pharmacy and the #1 recommended cure for toenail fungas is Vicks Vapor Rub (or generic). You just rub it on your toe nails and cover with bandaids until the fungas disappears. It takes different amounts of time depending on how bad the fungas is but it doesn’t take as long as any other remedy. I have heard testimony after testimony of how well this works and its so inexpensive so try it! Its the only remedy our pharmacists recommend now!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I slather my feet with a thick frosting of vickd and put on cotton sox if I get a fungus or need to soften the skin. It really works and the smell is a comfortable reminder of childhood.
I’m no expert on EOs, but have heard those in-the-know mention Oregano Essential Oil as an anti-fungal. I would suggest you google the info for specifics, but i think a super simple recipe of Oregano EO mixed into virgin coconut oil (coconut oil also has anti-fungal properties) might be useful. Again, as I’m not any kind of expert, i can’t be sure of quantities or ratios. Maybe start out with a couple teaspoons coconut oil, with just a drop or two of oregano oil– just enough for a couple days. Put little globs on saran wrap and refrigerate, then bring one of those globs to the bed and apply on all your toes, concentrating on the worst area. Loose cotton socks might be a good idea to keep the stuff on your feet. Then keep increasing the amount of EO you use until you see results. Keep in mind they do have bonafide medicines for your situation, I’d strongly suggest a visit to the Podiatrist. They treat any- and everything about FEET! They have free samples of the Rx medicines too, so ask for some “to see how i like it…”
I hear ya on the gettin’-too-old-to-touch-my-toes part!! I’m finally able to touch mine, which is because i slowly trained myself to stretch a little further each day. I do before bed stretching routine, and stretch n hold for a few minutes; both legs, right leg, left leg, both legs again for about 10-15 seconds each. Stretching a tiny bit further each day, mostly before bed to ward off leg cramps. Remember: NO BOUNCING!! Just stretch and hold. And mind your back as you stand up again, just sort of roll up starting at the waist. Do this activity near a wall or sturdy chair in case you start to lose your balance. And Good Luck with your toes (both healing, and reaching them ÷)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Amazing suggestion, Chuey! Melaleuca essential oil will work too :-)
I’ve found that taking a 300 mcv pill of melatonin an hour before bedtime really helps and induces a deeper kind of sleep that often results in vivid dreams. It is known that our body produces less melatonin as we age and this small dose (this is ideal, you don’t want a larger dose) does the trick.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I want to try this since I am a terrible sleeper. It seems that buying the Dream Essential Oil blend would be best for me since I am not into essential oils and don’t have any.
So am I correct in thinking that if I buy 1 5ml jar of the Dream Blend, I would put 1/2 of the jar into two 4oz glass jars and then half the recipe for the coconut oil, EVOO, beeswax and vitamin E., and then mix it up well and let it cool. The directions aren’t real clear and I want to be sure I have the recipe correct before spending the money to try it.
Looking forward to your response. I am enjoying your site.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Nope, you never mix it into the coconut oil mixture – just into the jars. Then pour the coconut oil mixture over the essential oils :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you so much for sharing this with the rest of us!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This sounds wonderful, except that part about having to count out 90 drops of the oils into each jar! Isn’t there some conversion to teaspoons or weight that a person could use? I don’t have the time or patience to stand there and count out 360 drops of a substance to make any recipe.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It doesn’t take as long as you think :-) But 90 drops is just under a teaspoon, if you’d rather estimate!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.My daughter is vegan, can you suggest an alternative to beeswax?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You could use synthetic beeswax.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Here are a few options, Tira! http://amzn.to/2n3YBKd
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks so much!
Can a cinnamon cassia oil blend be used. I already have some on hand. I just have get some ginger and grapefruit oil. I hope grapefruit oil wouldn’t cause a problem being used on the skin. My meds I take I know not to drink it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sure! :-) And you can leave out the grapefruit!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.One of the posts above mentions that medicines react with Grapefruit JUICE, and not Esseential Oils. He mentions a book by the expert on EOs, might be worth reading (sample at the Library first–for FREE!). To be on the safe side, check with your MD first. It is amazing how many people don’t know about meds/foods interactions. Sadly some doctors dont know anything anout it. On second thought, check with your Pharmacist for absolute info.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’d also like to know how to print recipes without all the ads.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just click the large green “print friendly” button at the bottom of every post :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sparks Natural has 2 different size bottles to sell 5ml and 15ml which size do you buy 2 bottles of their dream blend?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I buy the 15 mL, but if you just want to buy the 5 mL then you’ll have enough to make two jars of this salve :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can you tell me how much to use & how long the two jars last?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Use enough to coat the bottoms of your feet – just like you would with any lotion. As long as they’re stored in a dark, cool environment, they’ll last at least a year! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m having a problem printing without all the ads and pictures, I don’t need 13 pages. I don’t know if you have changed something with your website, but this has been going on for a while. I’m using an iPad, my sister has told me she is also having issues, Jilleee, I love your website, I have told so many people about you, please fix so I can print. I used to be able to, with no issues. And yes, I too have one of those never shut down brains, and wake up in two hours, thinking I have slept all night.
Keep up the great ideas!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.There is a large green button that reads “printer friendly” at the bottom of every post! :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea. I actually awhile back ordered some tiny 3 pack salves for. a gift for my mom. I kept one for me. I just rub a little dab on. I used my jar up a long time ago, but she’s fine wit me using a little. Great idea. I still have the waking up for awhile problem.. I used to have to be awake at a certain time for my old work shift for many years and I think hormonal stuff could be part of it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello, I have an alergy to ginger, what oil can I use instead?
thank you.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can use black pepper essential oil, or you could leave it out :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This came just as I woke up for the fifth time. I need to get a bottle of dreamers and I am making this. I do not enjoy waking up at 2 am and falling asleep again sat 5 and getting up at 8.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is peppermint oil a must? I have difficulties with peppermint, so if I can avoid using it the bett wee it is for me. Thank you!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can leave it out :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.do you have a substitute suggestion for the graefriut essential oil? I have medical interactions to grapefriut.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for your help
Any citrus will do the trick!
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