Do you know anyone who has trouble getting to sleep? A friend has recently had heart surgery and is on a prescription medication regimen. Her physician advised her against using herbs orally, even mildly relaxing, herbal teas that might possibly interact with the medicine. Her sleep is often fitful, at best. I recently made sleep pillow for her, and the sleepy scent of it has helped her relax enough to drift off to a deeper sleep.
These little sleep pillows are naturally and beautifully scented with organically grown, relaxing herbs. The finished size is 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ x 1/2″ (or any size you like), and designed to be placed on or next to your regular bed pillow. Sew an inner liner case of gauzy cotton, 1/2″-3/4″ smaller all around than the outer case. Fill it with about 1/2 cup of herbs so it easily slips inside the outer cover. Attach a velcro closure to the liner so the herbs can be replaced and both parts of the pillow can be washed. If you have a sewing machine, you can make the liner and the pillow case in about 30 minutes.
I assembled the above collection of herbs from those I dried at harvest last fall. They include Rosa rugosa petals, Chamomile, Lavender, Hops and Lemon Balm. The herbs hold their vibrancy and scent very well if stored in a jar, out of direct light. Sleep pillows make great gifts for sleepless friends and relatives!
If you don’t grow herbs yourself, you can purchase them in small amounts from a local, reputable herb store or even order them online. The dried herbs should be vibrant, recognizable and appear to still contain the life force of the living plant. Two of my favorite dried herb suppliers are Mountain Rose Herbs or Dandelion Botanical Company, both in the Pacific Northwest.
Dried hops are only potent for as long as they retain a green hue. Once they turn tan or brown, they are no longer useful for this purpose.
Are you growing herbs this year?
Green Magick 
I am growing herbs in my community garden plot and on my patio. They are my favourite plants to grow and use. Your pillows look, and I’m sure, smell lovely.
They smell just like a summer morning in the garden! Thank you.
Thank you! Community gardens are so cool. Who knows how many will catch your love of herbs? !