Herbal Sleep Aids: Pillow Sachets

by Aimee Amodio | More from this Blogger

12 Jun 2006 11:46 AM

Some nights, it can be hard to relax. You toss and turn, thoughts spinning through your head. You start to worry because you should be sleeping... but you're not.

Our sense of smell is very powerful. You may find that an herbal pillow sachet can help you slow your racing thoughts and slip into a peaceful sleep!

If you are a gardener, add a lavender plant to your herb garden. The plant generally flowers in June and July; gather the flower stems when they are first opening and hang them upside down in bunches to dry.

Place a few of the dried blooms in a small pouch -- the small mesh favor bags, like you would get at a wedding, are a perfect size. Crush the blooms and slip the pouch into your pillowcase. The warmth of your head will cause the lavender flowers and other herbs to release their relaxing scent all night long! Dried lavender flowers keep their scent for a long time.

Tip for the crafty: Save the lavender stems, too. They can be burned like incense or added to your fireplace for sweetly scented smoke!

Other herbs you may like for your pillow sachet:

• Basil is said to chase away bad dreams. This herb is easy to grow and can be used for flavoring your cooking as well!
• Rosemary is for remembering, so add rosemary to your sachet if you would like to remember your dreams more clearly.
• The sweet scent of rose is relaxing; the next time someone gives you a bouquet of roses, dry a few of the flowers and use the petals in your pillow sachet!
• Chamomile is a relaxing, calming scent that may make a good addition to a pillow sachet for a child who fears monsters in the closet or under the bed.
• The scent of geranium promotes feelings of happiness, and is also known to be good for regulating blood pressure.

Remember that your sense of smell and the associations you make are very personal. In my own pillowcase sachet, I have lavender, basil, rosemary, and lily of the valley. The little, white, fragrant lily of the valley flowers have long been a favorite -- they have grown in my grandmother's yard all my life and always bring me a happy feeling.

Learn more about Aimee Amodio

Aimee is a fiction writer... dog lover... music lover...

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