Aromatherapy to help sleep safe and sound

I love making aromatherapy recipes that I can use! I choose essential oils that are super-safe, and aromas that are familiar.

So this is a bedtime recipe I call Sleep Sweet.

It’s a relaxing aromatherapy spray that you can use in your bedroom, and on your linens and blankets, when you’re trying to fall asleep.

• 1 oz (30 ml) water
• 3 drops Lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia)
• 3 drops Sweet Orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis)

I recommend using a 1 oz (30 ml) PET plastic bottle for this blend. PET plastic is known as a non-reactive plastic that doesn’t leach. In cases where glass isn’t ideal (such as when kids might drop the blend), PET plastic is a good choice. I also suggest making a fresh bottle of this every few weeks.

This is an aromatherapy recipe that I use before going to bed. I keep it by my bedside so when I wake up in the middle of night to use the restroom, I spray it so I can get back to sleep easily. Just be sure to spray the air and blankets, not on your skin.

Lavender and Orange are soothing for the nervous system, which means they relax the body and mind. And Orange is especially uplifting without being too energizing. These are gentle, familiar, reassuring scents that can really ease bedtime anxiety for children.

Sometimes I call this recipe “Monster Spray” and give it to children to spray whenever they get scared. (Everyone knows monsters hate the smell of Monster Spray!) It’s a great, empowering thing that kids can do to reassure themselves in the middle of the night if they get scared.

The Aromahead Approach to using oils with kids is extra cautious and we prefer to use hydrosols, butters and carrier oils on children under about five years old.  Babies and children are so sensitive that essential oils can easily become overwhelming for them. Hydrosols, butters and carrier oils can often give a child the nudge they need towards rebalancing their health. You can always use Lavender hydrosol for a night spray (without any essential oils) and it works great!