How to Make an Herbal Pillow

The herbal pillow boasts a history that reaches as far back as the ancient Egyptians. Scented linen herbal pillows helped many a Pharaoh get some beauty sleep. Herbal pillows have since been used to lull little ones to sleep, relieve stress, induce dreams, relieve headaches and alleviate depression. They also serve as fragrant air fresheners, particularly in environments with poor sanitary conditions

Here’s how to make an herbal pillow for yourself or a loved one:

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Linen or muslin fabric
• Sewing machine or needle and thread
• Iron
• Herbs of your choice
• Fixative
• Cotton balls
• Decorative fabric trim

1. Cut your fabric into two square pieces. Each piece should be the same size as your finished pillow plus half an inch seam allowance. A six-inch square is good, but you can make it any size you choose.

2. Place the right sides of the fabric pillow facing each other. Sew them together along three sides, leaving the fourth open for stuffing. Turn the sewn fabric the right side out and press with an iron.

3. Place your choice of herbs in a bowl and add your fixative. Place the herbs in the pillow along with the cotton balls. Here are a few herbs you can use:
   *Restful herbs
   Chamomile, hops, lavender, rose petals, lemon verbana and mint
   *Herbs for a crying baby
   Lavender, catnip and mugwort
   *Herbs to induce dreams
   Balsam needles, lavender, rosemary, sweet marjoram
   *Herbs to relieve headaches
   Chamomile, lavender, rosemary
   *Herbs for romantic slumber
   Sweet marjoram, lavender, rose petals, lemon grass

4. Leave your pillow in an air-proof bag for at least a day before you use it. This allows the scent to strengthen and enhances its therapeutic effects.

5. At bedtime or naptime, tuck your herbal pillow inside your regular pillowcase, or just lay it beside you.

Tips & Warnings

• A fixative will help your dried herbs retain their fragrance much longer. Fixatives include: musk, ambergris and civet.
• Your cotton balls help add soft fullness to your herbal pillow
• Many of the herbs that are used in making potpourri can be used to make your herbal pillow.
• Make a pillowcase for your finished herbal pillow from luxurious fabric.
• Make a quick herbal pillow by placing half a cup of herbs in a 3/5-inch drawstring bag. Draw it closed and tie the strings.
• If you intend to give the herbal pillow as a gift, make sure its recipient does not have any allergies to the herbs you use.