In the old world, when the mind was too “hot” or “active” to sleep, healers did not always rely on drinks. The “old practice” involved a Foot-Rub or Temple-Balm. They believed that the soles of the feet were the “gateways to the nerves.”
By macerating calming herbs in a stable, heavy fat like Mutton Suet or Beef Tallow and binding it with raw honey, they created a heavy grease that would stay on the skin all night. The fat allowed for a very slow, transdermal absorption of the herb’s sedative properties, ensuring the person didn’t just fall asleep, but stayed asleep as the “cool” energy of the herbs neutralized the “heat” of the brain.
The Benefits
- Bypassing Digestion: For those whose sleeplessness is caused by a nervous stomach, applying the remedy to the skin ensures the calming compounds enter the bloodstream directly.
- Magnesium Synergy: Traditional animal fats often carry trace minerals better than modern refined oils, helping to relax the muscles locally.
- Lactucarium Content: Wild or even common garden lettuce (when allowed to bolt) contains bitter compounds that act as a mild, non-addictive sedative for the central nervous system.
The Remedy: The “Night-Lid” Lettuce & Honey Balm
A traditional topical sleep-inducer, free of refined sugars and industrial oils.
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp Grass-fed Tallow or Ghee (the traditional stable carrier)
- 1 tbsp Raw Honey
- 1/2 cup Fresh Green Lettuce leaves (the more bitter/older, the better)
- 1 tsp Dried Lavender flowers (to “quiet the spirit”)
- A pinch of Sea salt
Instructions
- The Extraction: Place the lettuce leaves in a mortar and pestle and pound them until they are a bruised, watery pulp.
- The Fat Simmer: Melt the tallow or ghee in a double boiler. Add the lettuce pulp and the lavender.
- The Low-Heat Maceration: Keep the mixture over the lowest possible heat for 1 hour. The fat will turn a light, translucent green. You are waiting for the water in the lettuce to evaporate, leaving only the “milky spirit” behind in the fat.
- The Straining: Strain the green fat through a fine cloth, squeezing the lettuce pulp thoroughly.
- The Honey Union: Allow the fat to cool until it is opaque but still soft. Whisk in the raw honey and the sea salt vigorously.
- The Application: Before bed, rub a generous amount of this balm into the soles of your feet and your temples. Put on a pair of clean linen or cotton socks to keep the “warmth” in and protect your sheets.
