For a relaxing and a great end-of-the-day self-care treatment, try this foot soak for better sleep.

Soaking your feet in warm water has benefits including soothing tired muscles, boosting blood circulation, and promoting relaxation. Studies have found that foot soaking can have positive effects on sleep, including the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and the duration of sleep.

For an enhanced experience, try an herbal foot soak. By infusing the water with aromatic and healing herbs, you can boost the stress-relieving benefits of your foot soak and pave the way for better sleep at night.

Let’s take a look at the herbs for sleep in this relaxing foot soak recipe…

Lavender

Lavender (Lavandula spp.) flowers and leaves promote sleep and relaxation, soothe stress, and relieve muscle tension. Many people talk about how lavender produces a calming effect just inhaling it. It’s good for restlessness. In addition to its relaxing benefits, lavender has many therapeutic uses including anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a first rate healer for minor skin inflammation and infection.

Rose Petals

Rose petals (Rosa spp.) nourish the heart, relax the mind, and lift the spirit. They drain irritation and mental tension out of the brain, encouraging rest, relaxation, and a gentle transition to sleep. Roses also help to soothe inflammation associated with rashes, insect bites, and minor cuts. All rose petals can be used for herbal medicine as long as they are organically grown and not sprayed with pesticides or herbicides.

Nutmeg

Get the nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) out of your spice cupboard and into your foot soak for better sleep! Nutmeg relaxes the muscles and nervous system, which can promote sound sleep.

You can find organic lavender, rose petals, and nutmeg at Mountain Rose Herbs.

Sweet dreams!

Print Recipe

Sweet Dreams Foot Bath

Author: Kami McBride

Ingredients

4 quarts water
1/2 cup fresh lavender or 1/2 cup dried lavender
1/2 cup fresh rose petals or 1/2 cup dried rose petals
1 tsp powdered nutmeg

Instructions

Put the water and herbs into a large pot.
Bring to a boil, turn off the heat, and let herbs infuse for one hour.
Leave herbs in the water for the foot bath or strain them out. I like to leave the herbs in, as they continue to infuse the water, and I enjoy their color and texture.
Reheat tea.
Pour strained or unstrained tea into a foot basin.
Soak your feet for 10 minutes or for as long as you like. It isn't much of a mess to clean up; when you are finished, just pour the water and herbs into a garden bed outside.

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I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever tried a foot soak for better sleep or relaxation? What herbs did you use? Share in the comments!