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Dream Pillow: Explanation & Herbs That Encourage Dreaming

Updated on:

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Written by: Dawn Black (Witchipedia)

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Reviewed by: Tina Caro

A dream pillow is a pillow stuffed with fragrant herbs that encourage sleep and/or dreaming.

It may be used for healing, to encourage the patient to rest, or a magical practitioner may use it in an effort to receive guidance or visions during sleep.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Dream pillows are herbal talismans placed under or near a pillow to enhance dreaming experiences.

They contain herbs like mugwort, lavender, and chamomile, each with unique properties to promote relaxation and stimulate vivid dreams.

Dream pillows offer a natural and holistic approach to enhancing dream experiences, encouraging spiritual growth, and unlocking the mysteries of the subconscious mind through the power of herbal aromatherapy.

The origins and lore

Throughout history, herbs and flowers have been believed to possess magical properties, from warding off nightmares to predicting the future.

Today, we recognize their impact on mental health and relaxation, as their fragrances can positively influence our dreams. In ancient times, babies were soothed with small pillows filled with fragrant herbs, known as ‘comfort pillows’ or ‘dream pillows’. These pillows not only aided sleep but also masked unpleasant odors and illnesses.

Herbal fragrances activate emotional and physical responses by triggering olfactory memories. Modern dream pillows, hand-sewn and filled with herbs, serve as tools for relaxation and warding off nightmares.

While some may view them as superstitious, many attest to their efficacy. Personal passions and intentions can be integrated into the creation of these pillows.

Whether for healing or seeking guidance, dream pillows have been used for ages to encourage rest and foster pleasant dreams, serving as talismans against bad dreams and conduits for magical experiences during sleep.

Best herbs for dream pillow and their properties

Herbs that encourage sleep or dreaming include:

  • Agrimonia (Agrimonia eupatoria): stimulates smile, cheerfulness and good mood.
  • Anise (Pimpinella anisum): instills vitality, optimism and altruism and improves social relationships.
  • Ash tree (Fraxinus): breaks spells, curses and wards off evil presences.
  • Laurel (Laurus nobilis): purifies the energy of a space, banishes negativity, communicates your desires to the Gods and breaks curses.
  • Betonica (Stachy officinalis or Betonica officinalis): protects the soul and body, wards off nightmares.
  • Damiana (Turnera difficile): attracts the love of a person, or seduces him; it brings love back.
  • Euphrasia (Eufrasia officinalis): increases psychic powers and is useful when there is a need to discover the truth in an unclear matter.
  • Hazelnut (Corylus avellana): instills wisdom, knowledge and inspiration.
  • Holly (Ilex aquifolium): chases away negative energies.
  • Honeysuckle (Lonicera): promotes love, brings optimism and courage to overcome challenges.
  • Mint (Mentha): Improves clarity and vividness in dreams. Use only one type of mint in each pillow and use it in moderation, as it can act as a stimulant.
  • Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris): significantly improves lucid dreams and helps remember dreams. It is the only species of Artemisia that can be used.
  • Oregano (Origanum): brings calm, relieves restlessness and nervousness.
  • Poppy (Papaver rhoeas): consoles, relieves torment and, combined with a couple of drops of Chamomile, favors prophetic dreams.
  • Timo (Thymus): improves communication between the couple, promoting intimacy and sharing.
  • Catnip (Nepeta cataria): relaxing, helps bring about deep sleep. Particularly suitable for babies, children and… cats!
  • Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): calming, relaxing and keeps bad dreams away. If you have allergies to ragweed, using this herb may aggravate your symptoms. Use sparingly, no more than a teaspoon per pillow.
  • Hops (Humulus lupulus): relaxing, brings peace.
  • Lavender (Lavandula): calming, relaxing and relieves headaches. It is especially useful for the elderly. A pillow with just lavender can be truly wonderful.
  • Melissa (Melissa officinalis): relieves stress, anxious and nervous feelings, insomnia and headaches.
  • Pink: brings warmth and love, evokes romantic dreams
  • Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): traditionally used to bring deep sleep and keep bad dreams away.
  • Marjoram (Origanum Majorana): adds a sense of warmth, security and comfort. Useful in romantic blends.
  • Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum): brings warmth and an exotic feeling to dreams (just add 12 cloves per pillow)
  • Verbena (Aloysia citriodora): uplifting, used to add “lightness” to dreamy blends. Use a small amount  the strong lemon fragrance is reason enough to use it
  • Calendula (Calendula officinalis): used to increase restful sleep
  • Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum): for sensual dreams. Use a few pieces of Chinese Cinnamon bark (Cinnamonum cassia) if you are a man.
  • Salvia sclarea (Salvia sclarea): intensely scented plant, which can produce vivid and sometimes bizarre dreams. Only use the flowers in small quantities.
  • Jasmine (Jasminum officinale): dried flowers are useful for romantic and erotic dreams, especially for women.
  • Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus): adds color and exotic elements to dreams. Cut into small pieces for drying
  • Mimosa (Acacia dealbata): useful for prophetic dreams and exotic shades.
  • Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): protections against nightmares.
  • Passiflora (P. Caerulea): the leaves and especially the flowers are relaxing and sedative.
  • Thyme (Thymus vulgaris): ancient tradition says that by placing it in your dream pillow, thyme allows you to see fairies.

DIY Dream Pillow To Prevent Nightmares

If you’ve been dealing with nightmares lately, use this at night, to soothe bad dreams or eliminate them completely.

Night ritual: Hold the pillow with both hands near your mouth and nose. Take three deep breaths through your nose and exhale through your mouth. With each breath, think or say aloud: ‘My sleep is peaceful. My dreams are sweet.’

Load this pillow in the light of the full moon, with the Tarot card The Sun or the Four of Swords, or by dabbing with a finger the center and the 4 corners, with a drop of lavender, chamomile or an essential oil from a blend for the sleep, or a spell oil designed for peaceful sleep.

The pillow must be charged monthly or after a period of non-use.

Only you should touch your dream pillow and it should be cleaned with smudging, sound or left surrounded by a ring of salt. Also, you should charge it, if anyone else handles it.

Your pillow should contain a magical blend of herbs and essential oils, which are deeply protective and encourage peaceful sleep.

Some precautions for use

When our pillow is ready, place it in the bedroom but wait a few days before using it to sleep on it. The initial scent may be too strong.

We apply a pillowcase before using it, otherwise every time we change the sheets, we would be forced to empty the entire pillow to wash it.

Finally, every now and then, we expose the pillow to the sun’s rays so that it is disinfected from germs and bacteria.

Conclusion

Create your own dream pillow and enjoy the endless benefits of the best herbs for sleep. You will relax, sleep better and dream more.

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About Morningbird (Witchipedia's Founder)

I am a homesteading hearth witch who grew up along the shores of the Hudson River and has lived among the Great Lakes for the past 20 years. Together with my musical husband and youngest child, I steward a one-acre mini homestead with herb, vegetable and flower gardens, chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits, and areas reserved for native plants and wildlife. 

I have three children; two are grown, and I have been practicing magick alone and with family and friends for over 30 years.

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