DIY Herbal Sleep Pillows

by **Nanneerose** Sun Dec 11, 2016 6:48 pm

[size=30]Dream Pillow Herbs for Better Sleep[/size]

I am a bit different than the average parent, as I have an entire store full of herbs from all over the planet at my finger tips. There is much to be had from the plant world to support our sleep and dreams, here are a few to choose from:

Lavender (lavendula spp.)

This was my first go-to. I made each of my kids a lavender stuffed bear when they were born. Inside was a heart of the herb that, when squeezed, produced that familiar, relaxing smell. These last for years. If you’re not super handy, a draw-string cloth bag filled with lavender buds and placed under the pillow can diffuse bedtime anxiety.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

We are sipping a cup of chamomile tea in the evening as we read our bedtime story. The routine itself is comforting, but the tea is also very calming to the nervous system. Folklore tells us that chamomile has the ability to keep away bad dreams. I include both chamomile and lavender in our family’s “Sleep Balm” which the kids call “Good Dream Balm.” Who am I to argue with the evidence?

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

The fuzzy leaves of mullein are great as an internal remedy, but for sleep I am most interested in the folklore of mullein and dreams. Mullein is another option to put into dream or sleep pillows for young ones to keep away bad dreams.

Rose Petal (Rosa spp.)

Rose is another great option in a tea before bed. We make a delicious rose glycerite with vegetable glycerine each year in the early summer and our supply is ready to relieve anxiety just before bed with only a few drops.

Mugwort (Artemisa vulgaris)

Great for dreams, but NOT what you want to add to your child’s tea or pillow. Kids don’t typically need their dream cycle stimulated actually, so this is best left for adults.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Ahh, the herb of remembrance. So much folklore is ascribed to this resinous plant. In this case, it is well known for driving away bad dreams. It is a great choice for stuffing inside a bear or pillow in a child’s room.

Hops (Humulus lupulus)

This is a very bitter herb and difficult to add to tea for bedtime, but if you can do it you’ll be rewarded. Hops bring peace. This is another addition to our Sleep Balm, but you can add them to a bear or sleep pillow for the same effect.

[size=30]Homemade Sweet Dream Pillow[/size]

Here is an easy blend to encourage better sleep:

Ingredients

2 parts lavender (find organic dried lavender flowers here)
2 parts chamomile (find organic dried chamomile flowers here)
1 part hops (find organic dried hops flowers here)
1 part rose petal (find organic dried rose petals here)
1 part mullein (find organic dried mullein leaves here)
½ part rosemary (find organic dried rosemary leaf here)

Directions

Combine all herbs in a muslin drawstring sack (like this). Choose one of the following methods for using the herbal blend.

To Use

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[*]Place the sack of herbs under your child’s pillow. As you tuck in your little one, simply squeeze the sack.

[*]If you are crafty, place the drawstring sack inside a stuffed animal and let your child hug it as he/she drifts off to sleep.

[*]Make a small pillow and add this herbal mix to the stuffing. Sleep directly on the pillow.

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We are adding more herbs to the bedtime routine than we have in the past. I can’t quite tell at this point how much is true anxiety and how much is wanting more attention or a later bedtime. Either way, we’re adding more time for bedtime snuggles and reading, and taking away television that can pile on to the stress. It has been said that kids are experiencing more and more stress all the time as part of their schooling. It’s good to know that we have something in the arsenal at home to bring calm and peace when bedtime rolls around.
https://www.diynatural.com/bedtime-sweet-dream-pillow/

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