Creating a nighttime routine isn't just for those who have trouble with sleep. Calming evening rituals are excellent ways to prepare the body for restful sleep filled with exciting and inspiring dreams! There are even traditions in which herbs are used during sleep, not only to bring about a peaceful slumber, but also to evoke vivid, lucid dreaming landscapes sure to bring happiness, rather than grogginess, to your waking state.
The practice of placing herbs under one’s pillow dates back centuries and was originally thought to protect against evil, bring good dreams, calm bad dreams, and foresee the future. No matter the reason, herbal pillows are an easy way to help promote peaceful sleep and encourage dreaming. These pillows are simple to prepare and make a wonderful “crafternoon” with your friends or family. The first step is to create your botanical blend from the lists below or craft your own mixture with fragrant herbs that you find pleasant, calming, or relaxing. Be sure to take notes as you build your blend so you’ll be able to make it again!
More Herbs & Essential Oils for Dream Pillows
- Organic catnip
- Organic chamomile
- Organic hops
- Organic lavender
- Organic orris root
- Organic rose petals or whole buds
- Organic rosemary
- Organic lemon verbena
- Organic mugwort
- Organic peppermint or organic spearmint
You can also incorporate some of your favorite essential oils into your herbal blend before putting the herbs into your pillows.
Essential oils to try:
- Organic sweet marjoram
- Organic lavender
- Organic rosemary
- Rose absolute
- Organic Peru balsam
- Organic black spruce
How to Make Herbal Pillows:
- Mix together your selected herb(s) in a large bowl.
- If you choose to use essential oils, add one drop at a time and mix well with a spoon, fork, or whisk, adding oil drop-by-drop as needed.
- Using a spoon, scoop your herbal pillow blend into a large muslin bag.
- Secure tightly.
- Place underneath, inside, or beside your pillow before bedtime, and rest easy.
Looking for more herbal crafting activities?
Try These DIY Sheet Masks with Downloadable Template!
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