| Herb Pillows |
| Herb pillows are easy to make and extremely thereputic. They make wonderful gifts. If you, or a loved one, is having trouble sleeping make them a herb pillow to alleviate insomnia; if you a friend or family member is plagued by nightmares make a herb pillow using herbs for protection and pleasnt sleep to help. Another way to do herb pillows, aside form herb uses is make them for aromatherapy. They can be used for pillows in the bedroom, fragrant cusions on the sofa, or even just for a pretty air freshner anywhere! There are multiple ways of making herb pillows. The easiest is to simply sew two pieces of fabric together as you would for any other pillow, and then stuff it with herbs instead of cotton, wool, or feathers; or maybe even whatever normal pillow stuffing you use and some herbs. There is another method which takes longer, but isn't terribly hard. First you layer the herbs you'd like to use in an air tight container, cover the box and store for six to eight weeks, and then stuff the pillow. Personally I think the smell from this method is superior but it the time can seem an eternity if you really need the pillow. A common herb conbintation using this more complicated method is clove, cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, lavender, lemon mint, rosemary, marjoram, and spearmint; then mixed with orris root, benzoin, and beragmot oil (in that order). Another method is found in folk magick and that is usually called a dream pillow. These are smaller than the other pillows, you will need two squares of fabric 9" x 9" on average, can easily be larger or smaller, and you sew three sides together, leaving one open for the stuffing. If you want to decorate this pillow do so before you have sewn the sides together. Then, in equal portions mix aromatic herbs. Your herb selections need not be the same for each person; remember every case is different, and these pillows can be made for healing, etc. it need not always be to aid in sleep. I enjoy frankincense, jasmine, rose, myrrh, pine, mints, cinnamon sticks, ginger root, and rose work well together in most combinations. For sleeping aids mugwort and hops seems to be widely used and come highly reccomened. A really nice blend is rosemary, apple, mugwort, hops, lavender, and cinnamon for both is scent and the uses of the herbs for healing, sleep, luck, and harmony. Once your herbs are selected, stuff them in a muslin bag and tie it closed. Next, wrap your stuffed muslin bag in cotton bunting and and put it in the centre of the pillow, then fill the rest of your pillow with cotton, feathers, or whatever you like. The advantage of this is that you can refresh the herbs whenever you need to. There are some things to keep in mind with all herb pillows. First and most important, consider whom you are giving the pillow too and if they are allergic to any types of herbs or stuffing. If so, be sure to avoid these materials. Also, if it's something they will sleep with or something of that effect (and I think it's just a good idea for anything) make sure your herbs are not overpowering. You do not want to give anyone a headache or make them ill in any way. Also, stich your seams twice, ecspeically if you are going to directly stuff your herbs into the pillow. This is a good idea because you do not want your herbs falling out all over (it makes a mess trust me!) or seams breaking open. Another thing to keep in mind is make the pillows pretty! Embroidery on them, put lace around them, use a nice colour fabric, but presentation is important! Be sure to keep in mind that these pillows make great, and sure to be treasured, gifts but if you do give them as a gift it's a good idea to make a card to go with it that explains what it is and what is in it (your friends may have allergies you do not know about!). |