A few nights ago, I woke with a start.
It was 3 AM and my mind had just recalled an important task for the following day. I tossed and turned, trying to find the restful sleep I had been jolted from, but it was useless: my mind now raced with to-dos, lists and errands that had to be done. While sleep hasn’t been eluding me as much over the past few months, this habit of worrying over little things right before bed — and in the middle of the night — is one I’ve never been able to break.
The next day, determined to get a good night’s sleep I whipped up this lavender-infused sleep balm. Quick and easy to make, adding a small dab to my wrists and temples is the perfect before-bed ritual to help ease my mind and quiet my frenetic thoughts. Keep a pot of it by your bed to have on hand for 3 AM wake-ups, or anytime you crave some calm in your life:
Lavender Sleep Salve
Ingredients:
10 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops chamomile essential oil
3 drops bergamot essential oil
2 tbsp beeswax
1 tbsp jojoba oil
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Place a clean glass jar inside a sauce pot that is partially filled with water. Place the beeswax, olive oil, and jojoba oil inside the glass jar, and heat on medium until the beeswax is completely melted, being sure the water doesn’t boil over. Stir with a wooden chopstick to combine.
Once the oils are melted and mixed together, add in the essential oils and mix with the chopstick. You can add more or less essential oil depending on your preference.
Very carefully pour the oil blend into a clean metal or glass container with a lid (I found mine at the craft store). Allow to cool completely before covering and storing in a cool, dry place.
The balm will keep for awhile, but is best used within a year as the oils lose their potency over time. To use, rub on pulse points before bed and breathe deeply. Sweet dreams!
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I made a lavender candle for relax. It is very good for release my tension for long stressful day. I might make a new small lavender balm for flight. It always make me nervous :(
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Lovely idea! As I was reading this, I had the idea to put my salve in a clean altoids mint tin! Super cute
This would be the perfect holiday gift… thanks for the idea!
Flourish♥
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I use lavender like it’s my religion. A true “knight in shining armor” for one of the million college students struggling with insomnia.
I need to do this… I was just talking about on my blog how terrible my insomnia has been… what a coincidence.
xoxo Kennedy
Northern Indigo
i have a diffuser in my room with lavender oil, and its so relaxing…i love it
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I normally just use lavender oil alone, but I like the idea of it being in a balm with other calming scents. Definitely trying this!
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I use that same brand of lavender every night before I go to sleep! Just a drop on each wrist and behind my ears does the trick. Great idea to turn it into a balm.
Amazing! Thank you so much for sharing this. I definitely want to try it – sounds brilliant.
Warm Regards,
Alexandra
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I am constantly plagued by thoughts racing when I wake up in the middle of the night! Thanks for sharing, I’d love to try this!
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This sounds absolutely wonderful! I love the idea of adding the balm to my nightly ritual. I can’t wait to make some. As always, thank you for the great diy posts.
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This is such a great idea for a more personal gift to a friend or fam member. Give them something made with love
I think I need to try this out, been having problems sleeping lately
This looks so delicious smelling! I could totally use some of this balm right now. Great idea, thanks for sharing! <3
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I can’t wait to try this soon! ^^
I made this just last night! Very simple recipe. I used 15 drops lavender and chamomile, and 6 drops bergamot EO. I put some on as soon as it cooled and had a wonderful dinner time/evening of lovely calm it evoked! All day I’ve been looking forward to bedtime so I could put some on and enjoy the aromas. Thankyou so much! :)
My daughter and I just made it and I already love it. The smell is gorgeous! I used cedarwood instead of bergamot because that’s what I had :)
What a wonderful idea. I am going to make some so I can keep it next to my bed. It will be easy to use before bedtime to help with sleeping.
I loved this idea and made it last night! Except mine ended up being kind of hard and I find it hard to rub on. It seems to be more like beezwax, should I add more oil? Does anyone have any suggestions?
I made this also & it was so hard that i found it hard to get anything on my finger also? Thought i had done something wrong.
I love this balm! I’ve been using it the past few nights and have slept really well. Which is a miracle because I have been having trouble with restless leg syndrome. I made a new batch and doubled the oil in the recipe and used only 1.5 tblsp of the beeswax. It is a little easier to put onto the skin. Thanks for the recipe!