How to make your own dream pillow; Sweet Dreams Pillow Recipe

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

1. Make cloth bags from 6 x 12″ piece of material
2. In a bowl mix all ingredients together
3. Add essential oils
4. Mix until blended
5. Using a funnel fill bags with your mixture
6. 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.