Did you get enough sleep last night? Two methods for falling asleep on those “restless nights” are reading a good book (but not one that’s too stimulating) and reaching for a lavender filled pillow or sachet.

In folklore, pillows were filled with lavender flowers to help the restless fall sleep. There is now scientific evidence to suggest that aromatherapy with lavender may slow the activity of the nervous system, improves sleep quality, promote relaxation, and lift mood in people suffering from sleep disorders (See Source).

Here’s a nice & easy recipe for making a herbal sleep pouch that contains lavender, flax seed and lemon balm leaves, another herb that helps soothe and encourage sleep:

Herbal Sleep Pouches

1/2 cup lavender buds
1/2 cup lemon balm leaves
1/4 cup flax seed

3×5 light fabric pouch (ie. muslin)

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients together.
• Sew a 3×5 rectangular pouch, leaving a small opening to insert the herb mixture.
• Fill the pouch with herbs, hand sew the opening shut. Don’t pack the pouch too tightly, you want the herbs to have room to move around and release their fragrances.

Use:

Insert the herbal pouch inside your pillowcase at night to help relax and fall asleep easier. To help the herbs last longer, store the pouch in a ziplock bag during the day and place in a drawer out of light, take out and insert in your pillowcase each night.

Check out buckwheat hull pillows if you have trouble sleeping at night, this might also work for you.

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Posted in Beauty and Health, Crafty Ideas | ( 6 )