Creating a Herbal Pillow

​Herbal Dream pillows have been used for centuries. By using a blend of specific herbs and flowers one is said to be able to experience vivid and meaningful dreams as well as receive relief from nightmares. Today we acknowledge the research that proves the smell of herbs, flowers and essential oils can have a positive effect on our ability to relax, mental health, and our dreams.

The practice of placing herbs under one’s pillow dates back centuries, and was originally done to protect against evil, calm bad dreams, foresee the future, bring good dreams, or conjure a lover into one’s life. Babies were often given small pillows filled with herbs to help calm them or to ease crying during the bedtime hours. They have also been called sleep or comfort pillows, and they were filled with relaxing herbs. No matter the reason, herbal pillows are beneficial for adults, children, and pets.

The scent of the herbs in these dream pillows will not be as strong as a potpourri, it will definitely be more subtle. The hope is that they will promote a more restful sleep and ward off bad dreams. If you, or someone you know, has trouble sleeping when traveling, bring a dream pillow with you to as a sleep aid.

To Prepare an Herbal Pillow:

1. Select a piece of fabric, preferably cotton or another natural fiber (perhaps muslin) * A mesh bag can be used as an insert for a dream pillow which the blend goes into so the pillow can be washed or the herbs switched out easier. This is the perfect opportunity to use leftover fabric scraps, vintage pillowcases, bandannas, or scarves.
2. Wash and dry the fabric, and cut it into whatever shape you wish.  Squares (5”x 5”) and rectangles are simplest, but you can also sew whimsical animal pillows for children and other fun, inspired forms. 
3. Create a blend of sleep or dream inducing botanicals from the lists below or craft your own mixture with fragrant herbs that you find especially calming, relaxing, or that evoke nostalgic, pleasant memories. 
4. With the right sides of the fabric together, stitch along the edges, making sure to leave an unsewn space along one side. Once finished stitching, flip the pillow out through the unsewn space, and fill with your herbal blend.  Note: Be sure not to overfill. The sachet should go unnoticed slipped inside the pillow case.
5. Finish the pillow by sewing the open area shut. 

For a sewing-free option, use cotton muslin bags or scraps of fabric tied tight with twine or yarn. * If using a mesh insert, you could sew really small buttons onto the dream pillow to close the bag or use Velcro. 
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To use: Sleep and dream pillows can be tucked inside, under, or next to pillows where they will emit their fragrance throughout the night.

Herbal pillows are great for all ages and for those who have a difficult time falling asleep. For a blend that encourages deep sleep, blend any of the following herbs:

Catnip: Relaxing, helps bring deep sleep.
Chamomile: Calming, relaxing, and said to keep bad dreams away. * People prone to allergies may want to test this out first before mixing it wth other herbs to see if there is a reaction. 
Hops: Relaxing and brings peacefulness.
Lavender: Soothing, relaxing and eases headaches.
Lemon Balm: Relieves stress, anxious and nervous feelings, insomnia, stress, and headaches.
Rose petals: Brings warmth and love.
Rosemary: Traditionally used to bring deep sleep and keep away bad dreams.
Sweet Marjoram: Calms restlessness and nervousness.
Passionflower: Used as a mild sedative in herbal medicines, passionflower adds a quieting effect to the dream pillow. Flowers and leaves are both used, but flowers are preferred.
Calendula: Used to induce restful sleep.
Lilac: Use lilac for sweet, safe, and peaceful dream mixes, in small amounts. It's also good in mixes for the sickroom, and for travelers' blends. In larger amounts, lilac adds sensuality.

Herbal pillows are for those who want to enhance their dreaming or wish to remember their dreams. To create a blend that encourages dreaming, blend any of the following organic herbs:

Catnip: Relaxing, helps bring deep sleep.
Chamomile: Calming, relaxing, and said to keep bad dreams away.
Cloves: Brings warmth and an exotic feeling to dreams, add only 2-4 per pillow.
Hops: Relaxing and brings peacefulness.
Lavender: Soothing, relaxing and eases headaches.
Lemon Verbena: Uplifting, used to add “lightness” to dream blends.
Mugwort: Greatly enhances lucid dreaming and helps with remembering of dreams.
Peppermint or Spearmint: Enhances clarity and vividness in dreams.
Rose petals: Brings warmth and love, may be used to evoke romantic dreams.
Rosemary: Traditionally used to bring deep sleep and keep away bad dreams.
Mint: Just a small amount of mint works like a tuning knob on a television. It adds clarity, vividness, and color to dreams.