Mugwort sounds like something right out of a Harry Potter movie, but this herb has been around for thousands of years, used as a sleep aid and many other things. This article will examine the history of mugwort and give you step-by-step instructions to make your own mugwort infused “Sweet Dreams Pillow.” Read on to find out more.
Mugwort Through The Ages
Mugwort is a feminine plant known as “the mother of herbs” and was popular in the Middle Ages. It was dubbed the patron plant of all travelers many years ago, and voyagers would frequently bring this plant along on extended trips for protection from dark forces, thieves, and illness.
The Romans supposedly planted mugwort alongside roadways to protect weary wanderers.
In biblical days it was common to wear mugwort girdles for protection as John the Baptist allegedly did; thus, this herb later became known as St. John’s herb— not to be confused with St. John’s Wort.
This multi-use plant is even said to possess magical powers.
Mugwort’s Latin name, Artemisia vulgaris, is derived from the Greek goddess Artemis. It has long been a familiar friend for women’s issues, including regulating the menstrual cycle and aiding women as they transition into menopause.
Mugwort benefits the body’s ability to release nervous tension and has even been used in cases of epilepsy to help calm the overfiring of the nervous system. Mugwort is much-publicized today for inducing relaxation and sleep, especially in individuals with insomnia.
Some say to hang mugwort above the doorways to protect your home from negative energies. In addition, many say that mugwort has the power to cause vivid and lucid dreams when consumed in a tea, burned as an incent, or placed under a pillow at bedtime—the kind of dreams you remember during periods of spiritual growth.
Does The Inhalation Of Herbs Really Do Anything?
In short, yes! Smells imprint on our nervous system through the olfactory nerve, which transmits from our nose to our nervous system.
In a 2001 study, mugwort was among a test group of herbs studied for their ability to reduce depression and pain solely through inhalation.
The results showed they reduced both. Additionally, they reportedly improved ego integrity for more than two weeks after the treatment.
A similar study including lavender indicated positive effects of aroma inhalation on stress, fatigue, mood.
But before you get your scissors out to start making your Mugwort Pillow, let’s talk for just a second about the benefits of lavender for sleep and anxiety.
Lavender
Lavender may be one of the most well-known aromatic herbs for anxiety and sleep. A pilot study on ICU patients showed the inhalation of lavender oil helped improve sleep and also helped to lower blood pressure.
A 2014 study also revealed that lavender oil was more influential on anxiety than placebos and specific prescription medications.
The scent of lavender is floral, poised, and peaceful. It’s an attractive plant with long graceful dull green stalks and stunning purple flowers—this beloved perennial correlates with the crown chakra associated with intuition and spirituality, making it the perfect pairing for mugwort.
Lavender makes a great addition to your herbal pillow.
Herbal “Sweet Dreams” Pillow
Here are the steps for making your anti-anxiety and sleep pillow. Just a note, you can add a few drops of other essential oils to your mixture before stuffing the pillow with them if you want. Here are a few good sleep-inducing oils that will add to the potency and pleasantness of your pillow:
- Ylang Ylang
- Chamomile
- Cedarwood
- Vetiver
- Clary Sage
Be sure you give your mixture enough time to dry so that your pillow doesn’t grow mold.
You Will Need:
- 2-6 inch by 6-inch pieces of cloth
- A spool of thread to match the color of the cloth
- A sewing needle or sewing machine
- A pair of scissors
- 1 cup of dried mugwort
- ½ cup of dried lavender
- Additional essential oil if desired
Directions:
- Turn the fabric squares inside out and match them up corner to corner.
- Sew all the way around the square leaving only a three-inch gap to fill the pillow.
- Turn the square right side out.
- Fill the pillow with your dried herbs (you can make a funnel out of a piece of paper if your hole is not big enough.)
- Tuck the fabric on the inside of the pillow and sew up the opening from the outside.
- Add any decorative accents you want to the outside.
Place the “sweet dreams” herbal pillow under your pillow and enjoy!
When our sleep is disrupted, every area of our life is affected. Health, clarity, mood, energy, and even our weight are all negatively impacted when we do not receive at least seven hours of quality sleep each night. Thankfully, medicinal herbs offer a safe and effective solution for sleep problems.
Valerian Root, Hops Strobile Flower, German Chamomile, and Passion Flower are other helpful herbs that combined with Magnesium Glycinate create the Sleep Blend Support Tincture. This blend is formulated to help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Take 1-2 dropperfuls at night in your mouth as needed, put your “sweet dreams” pillow under your pillow and enjoy a good night’s sleep!
