This is a firm, aromatic wax that melts into the skin. It is designed to be part of a “sleep ritual,” creating a sensory boundary between the activity of the day and the stillness of the night.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Sweet Almond Oil: A light, neutral oil that carries essential oils safely and absorbs slowly into the skin.
- 1 tablespoon Beeswax Pellets: To create a solid base that holds the aromatics in place.
- 15 drops Lavender Essential Oil: The primary traditional sedative, known for its ability to lower heart rate and blood pressure.
- 5 drops Cedarwood Essential Oil: Provides a grounding, “earthy” base note that helps stabilize the lighter floral scents.
- 5 drops Roman Chamomile Essential Oil: Specifically used to soothe irritability and “quiet the nerves.”
Instructions
- Melt the Base: Place the almond oil and beeswax in a small heat-proof jar. Set the jar in a pan with an inch of simmering water (double boiler).
- Combine: Stir gently until the beeswax has completely melted into the oil.
- The Cooling Phase: Remove the jar from the heat and let it sit for about 2 minutes. You want the oil to be liquid but not scalding, as high heat can “flash off” the medicinal properties of the essential oils.
- Scenting: Stir in the Lavender, Cedarwood, and Chamomile oils.
- Set: Quickly pour the liquid into a small tin or glass jar with a lid. Let it sit for 1 hour until it becomes a firm balm.
- The Practice: Just before bed, take a small amount on your fingertip. Massage it into your temples, the back of your neck, and the insides of your wrists.
Benefits and Target Impact
Olfactory Signaling to the Brain The scent of Lavender and Cedarwood travels directly to the limbic system, the part of the brain that manages emotions and sleep. For the mature adult, this provide a gentle, non-chemical way to “turn down the volume” on daytime worries, making the transition to sleep feel more natural and less forced.
Sustained Aromatherapy Unlike a spray that evaporates quickly, the beeswax base of this balm ensures that the essential oils are released slowly over several hours. As you move in your sleep, the warmth of your skin reactivates the scent, helping to guide you back into slumber if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night.
Grounding the “Vata” (Nervous Energy) In traditional systems, the temples and the back of the neck are seen as gateways for nervous energy. Massaging a grounding balm into these areas helps to “pull” the energy down from a racing mind and back into the physical body, encouraging a sense of safety and heaviness that is conducive to deep, restorative rest.
