Homemade Sleep Salve

This easy to make homemade sleep salve is an amazing and natural way to promote relaxation and sleep.

Homemade Sleep Salve

Get a good night’s sleep to be rested for the next with this simple homemade sleep balm recipe. This soothing salve blends easily into the skin and can help you rest and relax, especially if you are one of the people who suffer from being able to get a full nights sleep.

Carrier Oils

When making a salve, choosing the correct carrier oil can improve the impact of the salve as each carrier oil has its own set of distinct properties. Blending a couple of carrier oils can also help maximise their benefits. 

With this salve recipe, there are multiple carrier oils that could be used including:

• Avocado Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Argan Oil
• Rosehip Oil
• Hemp Oil
• Safflower Oil

You can learn more about carrier oils here.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are potent, and need to be diluted. As this salve is being used on your skin, you will need to use essential oils that are gentle enough to be applied to your skin – and used in the correct quantities. 

Just be careful using some essential oils such as tea tree and peppermint, around children and pregnant women, making sure to do your research before using.

The best essential oils for sleep include: Lavender, Frankincense, Cedarwood, Vetiver, Roman Chamomile, Bergamot, Sweet Orange, Ylang Ylang, Marjoram, Patchouli, and Hawaiian Sandalwood.

Before Using this Salve

Before using this rub, you will need to understand a few things.

• Don’t use on skin with open wounds or cuts.  
• Test on small area of skin before using.  If there’s any irritation, dilute with more carrier oils.
• Wash hands well after using.

More Salve Recipes

• Make Healing Calendula Salve
• DIY Sore Muscle Rub
• DIY Rose Salve
• Herbal Muscle Salve
• Charcoal Drawing Salve
• Rosemary Salve
• Comfrey Salve
• Violet Leaf Salve
• Plantain Salve
• Chickweed Salve

Ingredients for Making Sleep Infused Oil 

To make the infused oil, you will need: 

• ¼ Cup Lavender Flowers
• ¼ Cup Chamomile Flowers
• 1 Cup Carrier Oil

First you will need to infuse the flowers in the carrier oil. If using fresh flowers, let them dry for at least a day or two before infusing. 

Pour over the carrier oil until all the flowers are covered.

Put the lid on the jar and store in a dark cupboard for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking every couple of days to keep everything submerged.

Strain the flowers with a strainer, cheesecloth or an unbleached coffee filter. The infused oil is now ready to make into a salve.

If you want to speed up the infusion process, slowly heat the oil in a slow cooker on low heat for 24 – 48 hours.

For more information on making infused oils, check this out.

Making Sleep Salve

To make 4 ounces of this salve, you will need:

• ¼ Cup Infused Oil 
• 1 TBSP Beeswax
• ¼ Cup Coconut Oil
• 10 Drops Cedarwood Essential Oil
• 10 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
• 2 Oz Containers

Making Sleep Salve

Combine the beeswax, coconut oil and the infused oil in a microwaveable container and heat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until the beeswax is completely melted. Stir in between each heat burst.

This process could also be done in a double boiler.

Add the essential oil if using and mix through.

Pour the mixture into small glass jars or tins.

Let the salve cool and set.

The salve is now ready to label, date and store.

Storing This Salve

Place the salve in dark glass jars or metal tins to protect it from exposure to light and air. I have also used tubes for easier application.

Store in a cool, dark place.

When properly stored, this salve should last up to six months.

To Use this Salve

Using clean hands, rub a small amount of the salve onto your fingers, then gently rub on the bottoms of your feet, on your legs or on your pulse points on your wrists. It does absorb quickly, though you can put on a pair of socks if you wish if putting it on your feet.

Be careful not to rub your fingers near your eyes before you wash your hands.

Notes

• If you are picking fresh flowers to use in this salve, make sure to harvest them from a pesticide free area.
• Harvest only when you are 100% positive you have the correct plant as there are many lookalikes which are inedible or poisonous.
• Vitamin E is optional, and is often added to salves as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity, as well as for its amazing skin-healing properties. Add 1 teaspoon of  vitamin E oil to help preserve your salve even longer! 
• You can use any type of carrier oil for the infused oil. This recipe uses avocado oil. 
• If you want this to be a vegan recipe, swap out beeswax pellets for candelilla wax.
• Try adding essential oils or other infused oils for a more powerful salve. 
• I live in a hot climate, so to stop it from melting during hot summers I use a little more beeswax, thus making this a harder salve. Use less beeswax if you want a softer balm. To test the consistency of the salve, place a small amount on the back of your hand and see what it does. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax; if it is too hard, add more oil.
• Don’t use it every night as your body can become sensitised to the essential oils if used too often. For each batch that you make, you could try using a different combination of essential oils as well to help with this.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnose or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website. This is for informational purposes only, you should always check with your medical provider before using anything medicinally.