Sweet Dreams Herbal Dream Pillow

I used to have a lot of trouble falling and staying asleep.  I would only sleep 3-4 hours a night if I slept at all.  That has all changed (ask me about my super sleep potion and Triple-B!).  Now that I am sleeping I want to have sweet dreams.  A friend of mine gave me a recipe for a "sleepy-time dream pillow."  Here is the recipe for you.

Possible Base Ingredients:

Anise – Repels nightmares, but be sure to use sparingly.

Calendula – Used to induce restful sleep.

Catnip - Increases restful sleep. Especially good for babies and children.

Cedar – Repels bad dreams.

Chamomile – Used for relaxation and pleasant dreams.

Hops – Aids in restful sleep and healing.

Jasmine – The dried flowers are useful for romantic and erotic dreams, especially for women.

Lavender – These flowers have the ability to ease stress, soothe, and relax. A simple pillow made only with lavender can be simply perfect.

Lemon Balm – A known for it’s ability to reduce anxiety and insomnia. Also valuable for relieving headaches and stress.

Mugwort - Protection.

Mullein – Guards against nightmares.

Rose petals – Adds loving and peaceful thoughts to dreams.

Rosemary - Repels bad dreams, but use sparingly due to the strong scent.           

Be sure all the ingredients are completely dry before combining them, then store in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place for 4 or 5 days. 

Use 1 or 2 of the sedative varieties mentioned above as a base, then add rose petals, or leaves, mint, any of the lemon-scented herbs, linden blossoms, or any favorite spice for fragrance.

Once you've decided on the blend, you're ready to make the bag itself.  It should be flat, even after it's filled, so it is comfortable to lie on, and not too large.  My friend used "spent" dryer sheets by putting two of the sheets together then sewing around three sides of the edge to make a pocket, added the herbs, spices, etc, then sew the pocket at the top and using pinking sheers to cut around the border to give a pretty edging to the pillow. This little bag slipped easily under my pillow case and released a soothing fragrance all night long.  Muslin is another inexpensive material used for making the bags.

Another idea is to make a "bed post" pouch.  You can find draw string bags in a craft store.  All you have to do is fill the bag up with your favorite herbs and spices, draw the string and then hang on your bed post.  This is also a great "reusable" solution!

If you have a special hankerchief (my aunt used to collect them) ... you can fill the center with herbs, etc, then pull the corners up together and tie the top with a pretty satin ribbon.

Even babies can benefit.  A sleep pillow filled with dill (an herb seldom used for adults) will lull them to sleep when they're restless.  Put the bag under the crib sheet or outside the crib to eliminate the possibility of choking.

Keep your herb pillow nearby for an hour or so before you go to bed, then either sleep on it, or keep it close to your head.  Enjoy the gentle fragrance as you drift off and sleep into the sweetest of dreams, just like Panda in her box of catnip.