Learn how to make a sleep salve with essential oils. This is like a solid aromatherapy sleep lotion, so it's easy to take with you and easy to apply. It uses a blend of essential oils to support rest and relaxation to help you fall asleep easier.
This Simply Earth box this month was all about rest and relaxation. I was really excited for it because I use oils to help me relax at night.
I also give my daughter a roller to use before bed. She says it doesn't work, but she falls asleep faster for sure.
This essential oil sleep salve is easy to make. All of the ingredients are in the April box, or you can buy them separately if you're reading this after the box is sold out.
I don't use a water diffuser at night, so this sleep salve is a great alternative for me. I get the benefits without letting my diffuser run all night.
How to Make Aromatherapy Sleep Salve With Essential Oils
This is an easy essential oil sleep balm recipe with just an oil, beeswax, and a blend of essential oils. This actually uses the Sleepy blend plus Copaiba essential oil.
Both are among my favorite oils from Simply Earth. I use Sleepy every night in a passive diffuser beside my bed.
I use Copaiba in my succulent melt and pour coffee soap, in my dandelion body butter, and in my homemade pain relief salve.
Both Sleepy and Copiaba are in the April Simply Earth Recipe Box. I introduced it last week in how to use essential oils for sleep and shared three more recipes.
If you order the monthly Simply Earth recipe box and use code EVERYTHINGPRETTY, you'll get a free bonus box plus a $40 gift card to use on a future purchase.
I wanted to devote an entire post to the essential oil sleep balm recipe because I wanted to give more information about balms vs salves vs lotions.
Balm vs Salve vs Lotion
I call this both a sleep salve and an essential oil sleep balm recipe. Balms and salves are both made of an oil and beeswax.
Technically, salves are are softer than balms and soak into the skin. A balm is harder and sits on top of the skin.
A lotion, by contrast, is made of oil and water. You'll also need to add a preservative and an emulsifier.
Making an aromatherapy sleep lotion involves either buying a base or making lotion from scratch. Making a sleep salve or an essential oil sleep balm recipe is much easier.
How hard this is depends on your beeswax. I used the beeswax from the Simply Earth bonus box. It tends to be softer than other beeswax that I use.
This sleep balm recipe is solid at room temperature, but it is still fairly soft. If you are using a hard beeswax, you can add more fractionated coconut oil.
I would add an extra teaspoon to a tablespoon of oil, depending on how soft you want the solid aromatherapy sleep lotion.
If you want a firmer sleep salve, then add another teaspoon of beeswax.
Carrier Oil
I used fractionated coconut oil for the carrier oil. It's clear and odorless. It has a long shelf life, so it's a good all purpose oil to use. It's a thin oil and soaks into the skin fairly quickly.
You can learn more about carrier oils and their benefits if you want to choose another oil to use.
What Essential Oils Are Good for Sleep?
There are several essential oils that can promote better sleep and help you relax. There have been a few studies that show that using oils can be effective.
Personally, they help me. I use the Sleepy blend in a passive diffuser and now in this essential oil sleep balm recipe.
However, if I've had a lot of caffeine too late or just am not tired, they don't help much. I think they give a gentle nudge.
Lavender
Lavender is probably the most popular essential oil for sleep and relaxation. It's often used alone and in blends.
Copaiba
Copaiba is more commonly used for pain relief in a salve, but it is calming in aromatherapy.
Vetiver
Vetiver essential oil is my favorite oil for sleep. It's relaxing and helps me calm my mind.
Ho Wood
Ho Wood is in the Sleepy blend. It's calming in aromatherapy.
Essential Oil Blends for Sleep
I like the following blends for sleep:
- Sleepy is a blend of Lavender, Grapefruit, HoWood, & Bergamot
- Sweet Dreams is a blend of Lavender, Marjoram, Frankincense, Cedarwood (Himalayan), and German Chamomile Essential Oils (it's kid safe 2+)
- Sleep is a blend of Organic clary sage essential oil, organic bergamot essential oil, organic lavender oil, organic sweet marjoram essential oil, and organic Roman chamomile essential oil.
- Calming is a blend of Organic lavender essential oil, organic clary sage essential oil, organic tangerine essential oil, organic vetiver essential oil, organic ylang ylang essential oil, and blue tansy essential oil.
Where Do You Put Sleep Balm?
You can put this solid aromatherapy sleep lotion on your chest, hands, or arms. I use kid safe oils and put it on my kids' backs.
Then inhale the aroma and relax before bedtime. I use it about 20 minutes before bed.
Should You Sleep With a Diffuser On?
No, you should diffuse oils for 15 to 30 minutes before shutting it off. That's enough time to get the effects and not get overwhelmed.
I could set my diffuser on a timer, but it's easier for me to just make an essential oil sleep balm recipe.
More DIYs for Sleep and Relaxation
For more DIY recipes to make at home to help you relax with aromatherapy, check out these posts:
- Relaxing Bath Salts Recipe
- Magnesium Oil Spray
- Best Essential Oils for Sleep
- Bedtime Shower Melts
- How to Make Pillow Mist for Sleep
Essential Oil Sleep Balm Ingredients
You will need the following ingredients to make a sleep salve:
- Fractionated coconut oil
- Beeswax
- Sleepy essential oil blend
- Copiaba essential oil
- 2 ounce tin
- Double boiler or Pyrex glass measuring cup
Essential Oil Sleep Balm Directions
Step #1
Melt beeswax and fractionated coconut oil in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 second intervals.
Step #2
Carefully remove from heat. Let cool for a minute or two. Add essential oils and stir for one minute.
Step #3
Carefully pour into a 2 ounce container. Pour leftovers in a small paper cup or another container. Let cool completely.
To use your sleep salve, apply to your hands, chest, or arms before you go to bed.
I hope you enjoy this essential oil sleep balm recipe!
Essential Oil Sleep Balm Recipe
materials:
- 1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- 15 drops Sleepy essential oil blend
- 15 drops Copaiba essential oil
tools:
- Double boiler or glass measuring cup
steps:
- Melt beeswax and fractionated coconut oil in a double boiler or in the microwave in 30 second intervals.
- Carefully remove from heat. Let cool for a minute or two.
- Add essential oils and stir for one minute. Carefully pour into a 2 ounce container. Pour leftovers in a small paper cup or another container. Let cool completely.
- To use your sleep salve, apply to your hands, chest, or arms before you go to bed.
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