Don’t worry if you don’t think that you like the scent of lavender. The store-bought variety of items with a fake lavender scent don’t hold a candle to the rich, heady scent of real lavender buds. If you didn’t grow lavender in your garden this year, it is readily available at any herb shop and tends to be pretty inexpensive. Only use tightly formed buds, however, as the scent will last longer that way. If the lavender seems to be losing its scent, gently crushing and breaking up the buds slightly will help release even more lavender oils. You can also rejuvenate your lavender sleep pillow by adding a few drops of essential oil to the pillow after a few months have passed. Use hops to calm the nerves; they are perfect for the night before a big test or to help your college student rest in a new environment. Children are especially in love with the delightful fragrance, making chamomile the perfect stuffing for any sleep pillow made for your youngest gift recipients. For a fun way to present the idea of using herbs to relax your children, try making a simple stuffed animal with a hidden pouch in it. Then, make a mini pouch that fits into the pouch. That way, your child can snuggle and enjoy that relaxing fragrance as he or she drifts off to sleep. For many people, sleep ideally is a time to cope with our daily lives. For those who believe in this idea, dreaming can be the way to work out issues and help feel balanced during the day. Include rosemary in small amounts to see if it has this clarifying effect on your dreams. Mugwort is known to help relieve bad dreams and anxieties as well as help with sleeplessness.
Hops and ChamomileLavender and ChamomileRosemary and Mugwort
Any combination of these herbs will create your own unique sleep experience.
