We pretty much all have such hectic lives nowadays that even our sleep is compromised. On average, 1 person in 5 complains of insomnia or frequent nightmares and disturbed sleep, which leads obviously to chronic tiredness that may affect us on many levels.
If help is needed and medications don’t want to be used, herbal sleep pillows are a wonderful way to incorporate herbs into our lives. They can help in case of headaches, insomnia, restlessness, and much more, just by releasing into the air the fragrance you need while you are sleeping. They are also very simple to make.
Step to Create a Herbal pillow
- First select a piece of fabric, preferably cotton, but other leftovers that you may have are equally good. Wash and dry the fabric, and cut it into two pieces, whatever shape you wish. Each piece should be the same size as your finished pillow plus roughly half an inch seam allowance.
- Place the right sides of the fabric pillow facing each other. Sew them together along three sides, leaving the fourth open for stuffing. Turn the sewn fabric the right side out and press with an iron.
- Now you are ready to fill the pillow with your herbal blend! But…which one to choose? Obviously it depends on the type of pillow you need. At the end of the article you will find a nice list of herbs you could use considering the effect you want to obtain.
- Finish the pillow by sewing the open area shut. Leave your pillow in an air-tight bag for at least a day before you use it. This allows the scent to strengthen and enhances its therapeutic effects.
- At bedtime or nap-time, tuck your herbal pillow inside your regular pillowcase, or just lay it beside you.
Tips for creating your pillow
- Cotton balls added to the herbal blend can help make your pillow more comfortable and soft.
- For a sew-free option, use cotton muslin bags or scraps of fabric tied tight with twine or yarn.
- A few drops of an essential oil will help your dried herbs retain their fragrance much longer.
- Do not sleep with your herbal pillow every night. Allow your body and mind to take their time and not get used to the fragrance very quickly.
Which herbs shall you use?
One of the best things about herbal pillows is that you can personalise them according to your need and preferences. If you don’t know a lot about herbs in general, you can ask a professional herbalist near you or, if a small guide is all you need, you can read the following advice:
Sleep pillows are great for all ages and for those who have a difficult time falling asleep. For a pillow that encourages deep sleep, mix any of the following herbs: catnip, chamomile, hops, lavender, lemon balm, rose petals, rosemary, mint and sweet marjoram.
Dream pillows are for those who want to enhance their dreaming or wish to remember their dreams. To create a blend that encourages dreaming, use any of these: balsam needles, lemon verbena, mugwort, peppermint, cloves (only 2-4 per pillow) and rose petals.
Anti headache pillows are for those who want to release their mind from the overthinking and stressful lives we are living nowadays. To create your natural pain relief pillow add the following herbs: eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint or spearmint, cedar tips, sage leaf, cinnamon and lemon grass.
