DIY: Sleep Pillows
(Page 2 of 3)
December/January 1993
By Kathleen Halloran
Sleep pillows can be of any size, but traditionally they are small and relatively flat so that they will lie smoothly and unobtrusively inside a standard pillowcase or under a bed pillow. Some are so pretty that you may be tempted to keep them on top of the bed. Extras can be stored in the linen closet, where they’ll scent the sheets.
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Herbs For Snoozing
Many herbs have a sedative effect when inhaled, but not all of those are appropriate for sleep pillows because personal preference is an important consideration. The secret to falling asleep—and this tip comes from a long-time problem sleeper—is to think good thoughts when you close your eyes. Try scents that you associate with childhood pleasures: sweet woodruff and sweet clover might bring back the smell of grass on a summer day; rose petals and clove pinks, an afternoon in Grandmother’s garden. Sweet woodruff (G. odoratum), related to Our-Lady’s-bedstraw, combines the fragrances of vanilla and new-mown hay; the familiar scent of roses is said to soothe emotions, relieve headaches, and generally make you feel better.
One of the herbs most commonly used in sleep pillows is hops, whose dried flower bracts are better known as a beer flavoring. Those who don’t care for the pungent, slightly resinous aroma of hops can add lemon verbena, mints, or rosemary to disguise it. Sprinkling the dried herbs with water, with a trace of alcohol or glycerin added, will soften them so that they don’t rustle and crackle in the pillow when you turn your head. Place hops in a removable inner slip so that you can replace them every four to six months; stale hops take on a fetid smell that may actually keep you awake rather than put you to sleep.
Lavender also has sedative effects. It has pleasant associations for many people, and it can dispel headaches. Because lavender doesn’t mold, you can make up pillows with the freshly picked buds. The scent lasts a long time, but when it starts to fade, crushing the flowers slightly will release more aroma. Lavender alone makes a fine sleep pillow, or it can be combined with other fragrant herbs (see recipes below).