Sleepytime Balm Formula

Remember this easy-to-make formula when you have overly-excited children on your hands–or when you could use a good night’s rest yourself!

The author swears by this sweet-smelling balm that you simply apply to the temples before bedtime. She says it’s amazingly effective, but gentle enough to pacify even the most irritable, restless little ones.

INGREDIENTS
1/4 cup all-vegetable shortening, at room temperature
10 drops essential oil of orange
2 drops essential oil of ylang-ylang
1 drop essential oil of vanilla (optional)

1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whip together, using a small spatula or whisk.

2. Apply a dab of balm to your temples after cleansing your face and just prior to bedtime. May be used daily, if desired.

3. Store in a glass jar in a cool, dry place for up to three or four months.

Read more: Health, Natural Remedies

Adapted from 50 Simple Ways to Pamper Yourself, by Stephanie Tourles (Storey Books, 1999). Copyright (c) 1999 by Stephanie Tourles. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.
Adapted from 50 Simple Ways to Pamper Yourself, by Stephanie Tourles (Storey Books, 1999).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

6:02AM PDT on Jul 12, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

1:27AM PST on Jan 19, 2010

Awesome thanks!

Past Member .

4:59AM PDT on Jun 15, 2009

thanks...
Kabin
Konteyner

Ashlee B.

2:12PM PDT on Mar 24, 2009

There definitely IS essential oil of vanilla. I have several in my collection. Some are absolutes (solvent extracted) and some are CO2's (CO2 extracted). The CO2's smell amazing, but are very expensive. Try to find an organic one.
I am an owner of a natural bodycare company, and I use the CO2's in my products - they're great!
Ashlee
BotanicalRootsOnline.com

2:11PM PDT on Mar 24, 2009

Michael A.

9:26PM PDT on Aug 31, 2008

I repeat
The is no such thing as Essential Oil of Vanilla.
There may be a man made Perfume.
How are you going to extract essential oil from Vanilla beans? Think about it
It would be dearer than Rose absolute.

Nearly all Vanilla extract (alcohol based) is artificial derived from wood pulp. Vanilla was the first artificial flavour made sometime in the 1890s-1900s

Jenny and Ed G.

6:35AM PDT on Aug 30, 2008

I have been using Yougn Living Essential Oils for 5 years and some are digestable. They have help with many aliments you can go to my home page or go here directly:

https://www.youngliving.org/juanalacubana78

These oils are truly amazing! Check it out and see for yourself.... did you know that most "essential oils" sold in health food stores are loaded with petrochemicals (up to 35% is additives even with the label of PURE essential oils on it, and it's all legal.).... Question is would you put these kinds of oils on your body or skin... it does go into your body. I would not... We do enough of that to ourselves daily. Contact me if you have any questions at all... Stay well! ~~Jenn~~

Holly M.

8:28PM PDT on Jun 23, 2008

Mountain Rose Herbs has a great variety of herbs and oils. Everything you need for all natural, organic products. www.mountainroseherbs.com

Greenlady L.

3:16PM PDT on Jun 18, 2008

Also, an even better "balm" recipe is to use a natural oil as a base, (like olive) and add a small amount of melted beeswax to it, blending well with a whisk.
It will then harden to a balm consistency as it cools.
Usually 1 oz. beeswax to 4 oz. of oil, with essential oils added to the oil. Do not heat the oil much, if at all, just the wax...small batches work best.

This type of balm is a better consistency and will absorb very nicely and keep up to a year in a sealed jar.
You can also try making an "infused" oil with fresh or partially dried herbs soaked in the oil for 2-4 weeks and then straining and adding essential oils as well to it, then adding the melted beeswax.
It is easy to do, but takes a little more time to plan and do.

3:07PM PDT on Jun 18, 2008

NONE of these oils would be really a good choice for a sleep enhancer....as vanilla is only a "fragrance" oil, and orange and ylang ylang are mildly stimulant....better to go with lavender, hops, catnip, yarrow, chamomile, valerian....there are many to choose from, but some are harder to find as an essential oil than others.
You can use the dry herbs in a small pillow/sachet to smell before and during sleep.