Did you know that Dream pillows used to be called comfort pillows? I found that out in my second grade class. For the record, I had no clue what dream pillows were either. However thanks to my amazing second grade teacher, Mrs. Kyte, she clued me in, and since then, I’ve always had them.
We loved Mrs. Kyte, she made our classes interesting; she brought in a lot of fun educational tools that stimulated us and made us want to learn more. We went on day trips in the woods near our school, where she pointed out vegetation, and talked about their scientific properties. We collected samples from a nearby stream, which we were able to view through the class microscope. Mrs. Kyte, made our daily subjects fun, and we eagerly lapped up the information.
Anyway back to those dream pillows…
Mrs. Kyte told us that dream pillows used to be called comfort pillows. As she passed around the tiny pillow, she talked about its history. We all impatiently waited our turn to get a sniff of the pillow. The smell was pleasant, with hints of lavender, valerian, and a few other dried herbs I couldn’t detect.
While our class was marvelling about the pillow and how delightful it smelled, Mrs. Kyte went on to say that these tiny pillows were used in sickrooms since it was believed that it could ease the anxiety, and the occasional nightmares that accompanied the medication administered. She named the herbs she used in her dream pillow; valerian, catnip, and lavender, was all herbs I was very familiar with. Since we had them growing in our herbal garden, she also mentioned herbs that were new to me.
That day, I couldn’t wait to get home from school. Brimming with knowledge about those dream pillows and I attempted to make my own. Although it didn’t have the range of herbs that were in hers. I used what was in our herb garden; mint, lavender, and rose. I created my own pillow pattern, and before too long I had a sweet smelling dream pillow. I loved the smell of my dream pillow so much, I made more, and eventually started putting them in my clothes drawer. I discovered they lightly scented my clothes. I already knew the herbs worked as an insect repellent. Years later I discovered that mice hated mint.
As I became older, dream pillows became increasingly popular. I started seeing them crop up in the new age stores I frequented in my twenties, and I finally started seeing them in stores like Whole Foods market too. These days, I don’t use dream pillows too much in my pillow case however you’ll usually see some type of pillow in my clothes drawer, and if you look closely you’ll most likely see a pillow tucked away in my shoe closet too.
Sweet Dreams Pillow Recipe
- 1 cup mugwort
- 1/2 cup rose petals
- 1/2 cup sweet hops
- 1/3 cup lavender buds
- 1/3 cup crushed catnip
- 1/4 cup valerian
- 1/4 cup peppermint
- 10 drops lavendar essential oil
- 5 drops myrrh essential oil
Directions
- Make cloth bags from 6 x 12″ piece of material
- In a bowl mix all ingredients together
- Add essential oils
- Mix until blended
- Using a funnel fill bags with your mixture
- Sew the bags shut or use velcro to seal (I prefer velcro since I can refresh the herbs.)
How To Increase Your Dream Pillows Life
Keep your dream pillow sealed in a storage container when not in use. I don’t use too much plastic in our house but I do store my herbs in Ball Mason Jars and my dream pillows are stored in Pyrex glass storage containers. When I converted to glass I initially was concerned about glass dishes around my then toddler. Seven years later, I still have the same storage containers, and have added a few more glass containers to the list too.
My daughter enjoys dream pillows and has quite a collection in her room. Over the years, I’ve sewn my daughter several dream pillows. She loves them and has a them tucked in various corners, and clothes drawers throughout her room.
Question: Have you ever used dream pillows? Let others know about your experience, leave a comment.
I have never heard of this “dream pillows” but you explained it wonderfully. I don’t think it would work out too well for me though because I have allegies. I would have to take a claritin everytime I slept LOL. But nevertheless, it is a pretty cool concept.
Even if I didn’t have allergies, wouldn’t it be strange as a man to whip out a lavender laced dream pillow? lol.
@Wayne Howard, I’ll have to write an allergy post, a few natural remedies have worked for my friends/family members. You might want to check them out.
Well the pillow doesn’t have to be laced, I dated a guy that was sold on the pillows after I created one for him. 😉
What a lovely teacher you had, I remember having teachers like that and things they taught us sticking with me to this day.
Dream Pillows are so nice, ty for sharing that recipe. It’s been years since I’ve seen one. My grandmother liked things like those, little small ones. Mostly she used them in the closet or clothes drawers too.
I remember a few on the couch as a kid though, sweet smelling little pillows!
Hiya @kaozz,
Yes those type of teachers are a treasure! Mrs. Kyte was great, and she was my best teacher. The kids were sad when she stopped teaching. She was in her late 60’s or early 50’s when she taught our class. I think I even cried (which was unheard of for me to do) when I found out she wasn’t returning.
You know I add the dream pillows near Mr. Bentley’s area too, he doesn’t bite the pillow so it leaves his bed smelling sweet. 🙂
Opal…they sound FANTASTIC and I want several. I don’t have a range of herbs like that so I am going to see what I can source locally.
I love lavender and rose and to go to bed smelling them is just divine. We buy lavender pillow spray from the Body Shop but my head hitting a herby sweet dream pillow is much more up my alley.
@Megan@secret Santa spirit of Christmas, They are great, and versatile too since they double as insect repellents, and if you add mint well you might find that mice aren’t hangng around. I live in a wooded area, so it’s no uncommon for mice to pop in for a visit. I recently planted mint around the house. 🙂
Oh did you know that cats seem to love Valerian? My cat went crazy over the stuff; I thought she was in heat. It smells like old socks but she me-OOOWEED and made a right fool of herself for that valerian, lol. She loved that more than catnip. 😉
I see the lovely lavender features again. Along with the other amazing aromatic herbs it has definite calming properties and is becoming more and more populat. Really great post and I’m sure you will have heaps more information on natural health for us.
Patricia Perth Australia
hello @Patricia,
Thanks for popping by, lavender is amazing. I love it’s gentle healing qualities. It’s effective in so many areas; relaxation, stress, burns, wounds, insect repellent, etc.,
I linked to your site in my foot powder recipe. I’ll be linking to you a again. I simply love lavender. I fell in love with it as a child, and it’s still one of my all time favorite herbs.
Opal, I have learned something new and wonderful today. I have never heard of dream or comfort pillows. You have given me an idea to add more value and meaning to my prayer shawls. I could lace them with essential oils like lavender to enhance a since of comfort to the recipients.
I’m glad I found your blog via Patricia’s blog.
Dee@ Prayer Shawl recently posted..Bless the Lord- Oh My Soul …
Hi @Dee@ Prayer Shawl,
That’s a great idea! I just checked out your site. I really like it. My suggestion would be to put your yarn in a large container, and add bits of cloth saturated with lavender essential oil throughout the container. The scent will permeate the yarn. Depending how long the yarn stays there it can linger in the prayer shawls for years. I have quite a few items that still carry the scent of the essential oils that were originally applied years ago. 🙂
Frankincense is another essential oil that is calming, and it’s believed to put one in a meditative state. I love it, however it’s much more expensive. Frankincense tears is a cheaper option. You burn it like incense. Occasionally I’ve placed items of clothing, and pillow cases near my incense burners so the smell that’s released can permeate the fabric.
Thanks! I’m going to try that. When I crocheted baby blankets I use to put baby lotion on my hands every time I worked on the blanket. By the time I finished it smelled like baby. The mothers always loved the way it smelled.
I never thought of doing something similiar for my prayer shawls til now. I like your idea better though