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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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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