Sleep Gummies for Kids DIY Recipe. Natural Sleep remedy with Lavender, Chamomile, & Honey
Homemade sleep gummies are the perfect all natural way to unwind before bed by calming your mind and body so you can get a good night’s sleep. Infused with the calming properties of chamomile and lavender, and sweetened with a touch of honey, these DIY sleep aids are the perfect way to unwind before bed and are perfectly safe for kids as well as adults.
Whether you’re looking to reduce your reliance on store-bought sleep aids or just want a delicious way to relax, these homemade gummies are a simple, holistic remedy you’ll love incorporating into your nightly routine.
If you’ve ever struggled to get a good night’s sleep, you’re not alone. Many of us find ourselves tossing and turning, counting sheep, or reaching for over-the-counter remedies that don’t always feel natural. But what if you could make your own homemade all natural solution โone that’s not only effective but also made with soothing, natural ingredients? Here is an easy to make DIY Recipe for an all natural remedy that will finally help you get a good night’s sleep that you can feel good about!
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Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not ย informationย is not medical advice and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your doctor before using essential oils.
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Benefits of Lavender and Chamomile for Sleep
Lavender and chamomile are well-known for their calming properties:
- Lavender: Promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and improves sleep quality.
- Chamomile: Helps alleviate anxiety and supports restful sleep.
Benefits of Lavender for Sleep
Lavender is renowned for its calming and sleep-enhancing properties, which are supported by both traditional use and scientific research. Hereโs how lavender can help improve sleep:
1. Aromatherapy Benefits
Lavenderโs scent contains compounds like linalool and linalyl acetate, which interact with the brain to reduce stress and promote relaxation. These compounds affect the limbic system, particularly the amygdala, which regulates emotions and the bodyโs stress response. Breathing in lavender can help lower cortisol levels, making it easier to fall asleep.
2. Reduces Anxiety
Lavender has anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties that can help calm the mind before bedtime. Studies have shown that inhaling lavender essential oil or consuming lavender-infused products can reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety, making it easier to relax and drift off to sleep.
3. Improves Sleep Quality
Lavender is linked to better sleep quality by promoting deeper, more restorative stages of sleep. Research indicates that exposure to lavender can increase slow-wave sleep (deep sleep), which is essential for physical and mental recovery.
4. Relieves Mild Insomnia
Lavender can help people who struggle with falling or staying asleep. It has been used in herbal remedies for centuries to address mild cases of insomnia, and modern studies have found it to be an effective natural sleep aid.
5. Balances the Nervous System
Lavender interacts with the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls the bodyโs rest-and-digest functions. This helps reduce heart rate and blood pressure, creating a physiological state conducive to sleep.
6. Versatility in Use
Lavender can be used in various forms to aid sleep:
- Aromatherapy: Diffusing lavender oil in a bedroom or adding a few drops to a pillow.
- Tea: Drinking lavender tea provides calming effects from the inside out.
- Baths: Adding lavender oil or flowers to a warm bath can help relax the body and mind.
- Topical Applications: Using lavender-infused lotions or massage oils can promote relaxation through skin absorption and scent.
7. Safe for Most Ages
Lavender is generally considered safe for children and adults, making it a popular choice for families seeking natural sleep aids. For children, itโs often used in bedtime routines through diffusers, sprays, or gentle lotions.
Scientific Support:
- A 2012 study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that lavender aromatherapy improved sleep quality in individuals with mild insomnia.
- A 2015 study in the Journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine highlighted lavenderโs effectiveness in reducing anxiety and improving sleep among postpartum women.
Lavenderโs multifaceted benefits make it a powerful, natural solution for improving sleep quality and reducing nighttime stress.
Benefits of Chamomile for Sleep
Chamomile is one of the most well-known herbal remedies for promoting relaxation and improving sleep. Its sleep-enhancing effects are backed by centuries of traditional use and modern scientific studies.
Here’s how chamomile can help with sleep:
1. Contains Apigenin: A Natural Sedative
Chamomile is rich in apigenin, a flavonoid that binds to certain receptors in the brain, such as GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) receptors. These receptors are responsible for reducing brain activity, promoting relaxation, and inducing sleep. This makes chamomile a natural and mild sedative.
2. Reduces Anxiety
Chamomile has been shown to have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) properties, which can help calm the mind before bedtime. Anxiety is a common barrier to restful sleep, and chamomileโs ability to soothe the nervous system makes it easier to relax and fall asleep.
3. Improves Sleep Quality
Studies have found that chamomile can enhance the quality of sleep by increasing the duration of deep sleep and reducing nighttime awakenings. This makes it particularly beneficial for people who experience fragmented or restless sleep.
4. Eases Insomnia
Chamomile is often used as a natural remedy for mild insomnia. Its calming effects on the brain and body help individuals fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. For chronic insomnia, regular use of chamomile tea or supplements may gradually improve sleep patterns.
5. Anti-Inflammatory and Digestive Support
Chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe discomfort caused by digestive issues, such as bloating or acid reflux, which are common culprits behind disturbed sleep. By calming the digestive system, chamomile helps create a more comfortable state for restful sleep.
6. Balances the Nervous System
Chamomile works on the autonomic nervous system, encouraging the parasympathetic response (rest-and-digest state) while calming the sympathetic (fight-or-flight) response. This physiological shift is crucial for preparing the body and mind for sleep.
7. Safe for All Ages
Chamomile is gentle enough to be used for children and adults. For kids, itโs often used in teas or baths to help with bedtime routines. However, parents should consult a healthcare provider for very young children or those with allergies.
Scientific Evidence:
- A 2011 study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology found that chamomile extract significantly improved sleep quality in individuals with insomnia.
- Another study in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017) highlighted chamomile teaโs effectiveness in improving sleep quality among postpartum women experiencing sleep disturbances.
- Research in Molecular Medicine Reports (2010) emphasized chamomile’s role in reducing stress and its sedative effects.
These natural remedies are safe and effective for children, making them ideal for bedtime routines.
Customization Ideas for Sleep Gummies
Make your gummies unique with these ideas:
- Add magnesium powder or melatonin (if approved by a pediatrician).
- Incorporate natural fruit purees for added flavor and nutrients.
- Many people like to coloring to create visually appealing gummies, however, I am personally very strongly against using food coloring of any kind. It’s been shown to be harmful.
Ingredients and supplies to make this sleep gummy recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to make this sleep gummy recipe:
A small silicone candy mold. This is the one I used. Any shape that has small bite size cavities works. Teddy Bears are a great choice for kids!
This set comes with 4 fun shapes including dinosaurs, donuts, hears and teddy bears!
- Valuable Combination Set: 4 pack reusable mini size silicone gummy molds including dinosaur shape, bear shape, hearts and mini donut. Total 201 cavities
You’ll need to make a cup of Chamomile / Lavender Tea – you can use Chamomile Lavender tea bags, to do this, loose leaf tea, or dried chamomile and lavender flowers (I used some from my garden!).
Raw Honey – use a high quality raw honey preferably from your local farmers market as it hasn’t had all the good stuff processed out of it. If that isn’t an option, this is a great raw honey to use.
Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
Unflavored Grass Fed Beef Gelatin – this is the one I use
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How to Make Sleep Gummies
The first step is to make a Lavender Chamomile Tea.
As I mentioned previously, you can do this with loose leaf tea (pictured), or a Chamomile Lavender Tea Bag. You’ll need 3/4 cup of hot brewed tea.
I had some dried home grown chamomile and lavender from my garden that I used.
If using loose leaf tea, be sure to strain the tea from the dried flowers when done brewing.
Once tea has finished brewing and is still hot, add in 4 Tablespoons of lemon juice. I used fresh squeezed.
While your tea with lemon is still hot, slowly add in the gelatin. Stir until it is completely dissolved. This is what will thicken the mixture and allow it to “gummify”.
Next, add in your honey and stir until combined. The honey sweetens the mixture to make it taste yummy – especially important if you’re making this for your kiddos.
The last step is to pour the mixture into the silicone mold. Put the molds into the refrigerator until they are hard.
Once they have hardened, pop them from the mold and they are ready to use!
Store them in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator. They should last for several weeks.
To use, I do 1-2 gummies for kids 4+, and 4 to 5 for adults. Start off small and work your way up to find the sweet dosage that works for your body.
Disclaimer: These are safe for children who are able to chew food thoroughly and swallow the food safely. If you child isn’t ready for chewing solid foods yet, please avoid these until he or she is ready. It is also not recommended to give honey to children under 1 year of age.
Sleep Gummies DIY Recipe with Lavender, Chamomile, & Honey
Equipment
Ingredients
- ยพ cup chamomile lavender tea
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons raw honey
- 3 tablespoons grass-fed beef gelatin
Instructions
- Make your chamomile lavender tea. Either with tea bags, or loose leaf tea that has been strained after brewing.
- Add in the lemon juice while it is hot.
- Slowly add the gelatin. stirring until it is fully dissolved.
- Add in the honey and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Pour the mixture into the silicone mold. Put in the fridge for a few hours until they are hard.
- Remove from the mold and enjoy!
- Store in the refrigerator. Should last several weeks.
Video
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Fun Ways to Incorporate Sleep Gummies into a Nighttime Routine
Turn bedtime into a soothing ritual that signals the brain that it’s time to wind down and get ready for sleep. Doing the same ritual every night can help kids know that it’s time for bed.
- Pair gummies with a warm bath and a bedtime story.
- Encourage kids to help you make the gummies. This can be a fund family activity and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
- Create a consistent bedtime routine to signal itโs time to wind down.
- Use a diffuser with calming essential oils in their bedroom to help their minds relax and calm down.
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Dawn Goehring
Dawn Goehring is the founder of Desert Naturals. Combining her passion for holistic wellness, natural living and essential oils, she creates informative articles on essential oils, guides you through DIY natural bath & beauty products and homemade non-toxic cleaners, and self care.
