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Mugwort Pillow for Insomnia and Anxiety - Cover

Mugwort Pillow for Insomnia and Anxiety

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.

Herbal Pillow Insomnia and Anxiety - Mugwort

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.

Herbal Pillow Insomnia and Anxiety - Herb Inhalation

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

Pillow for Insomnia and Anxiety - LavenderLavender 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:

Herbal Pillow Insomnia and Anxiety - Essential Oils

  • 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.

Mugwort for Insomnia and Anxiety - Utensils

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:

  1. Turn the fabric squares inside out and match them up corner to corner.Mugwort for Insomnia and Anxiety - Step 1
  2. Sew all the way around the square leaving only a three-inch gap to fill the pillow.
  3. Turn the square right side out.Mugwort for Insomnia and Anxiety - Step 3
  4. 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.)Mugwort for Insomnia and Anxiety - Step 4
  5. Tuck the fabric on the inside of the pillow and sew up the opening from the outside.Mugwort for Insomnia and Anxiety - Step 5
  6. Add any decorative accents you want to the outside.

Place the “sweet dreams” herbal pillow under your pillow and enjoy!Mugwort for Insomnia and Anxiety - Step 6

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!

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Very informative. I have severe insomnia and am a big fan of essential oils. I definitely will try the pillow!

Hi Karen,

We are sorry to hear about your severe insomnia.
But we’re pretty optimistic about this herbal pillow. Please let us know if your sleep will improve.

Many blessings and good health!

Hi
I’m making this awesome pillow for myself due to I suffer from severe insomnia. How many drops of essential oils can I use ?
Thank you
Love & Light.

How do you identify Mudwort?

Hi Judy,

I assume you were asking about Mugwort not Mudwort (Limosella aquatica).

For Mugwort, its dark green leaves are a strong identifier. The leaves are deeply lobed and hairless on top, but their underside will be silvery-white and covered in downy hairs. If flowering, the stems will be purplish-red and lead to inconspicuous wooly flowers that will be red or pale yellow.
You can read more in the article below:
https://www.plantsnap.com/blog/top-mugwort-uses-and-where-to-find-it/

The plants should be identified in their environment, by looking at all their parts (leaves, flowers, color, root). There are also some useful apps out there to help you identify plants but always double-check the result! Good ones to try include: PlantSnap, Picture this and PlantNet.

Many blessings and good health!

After giving all details this would not accept my UK postcode. Disappointed!😫

Hi Amanda,

Thank you for your interest in our work.
I am sorry about this, however, The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods and The Home Doctor can be purchased in digital copy only at the moment if you live in Europe.
We are working on a physical copy as we speak.

Many blessings and good health!

I’m going to make this pillow for a friend, how long does it last?

Hi Patty,

The best answer would be until it no longer has a recognizable scent (about 2-months).

Many blessing and good health!

I am going to get some mugwort and I already have a bag of lavender and make Thanksgiving presents for my family and the lady I work for.

Hi Leslie,

That sounds like a great idea :).
I’m sure that your family and colleagues will love these gifts.

Many blessings and good health!

Where can I buy dried mugwort?

Dried Mugwort Leaves
https://amzn.to/3qssy8u

Organic Lavender Flowers Dried
https://amzn.to/35393Mh

Where can you get mugwort tea and can you use the leaves to inhale ?

Hi Darlene,

Mugwort can be made into a tea by adding one and a half teaspoons of dried mugwort to a cup of boiling water and steeping for 10 minutes. Or you can look for Mugwort Teabags at your local health store or an Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Mugwort-Tea-Caffeine-GMO-Free/dp/B00DLLE1NM

You can also diffuse Mugwort essential oil with in your diffuser, suggested diluted with other fragrant essential oils or dispense 4-7 pumps of Mugwort oil on the palm of your clean hands. For dreamwork: gently massage the soles of your feet, wrists, or temples before bedtime. But try a small patch on your skin first, in case you are allergic.

Mugwort, is also a great smokable herb that is a natural nicotine-free tobacco alternative.

Many blessings and good health!

How long does the aroma last?

Hi Lydia,

I would say it would be good for a couple of months. Lavender is very potent.
So you may use the pillow until you no longer smell the scent of lavender (about 2-months).

Many blessings and good health!

Hi
I’m making this awesome pillow for myself due to I suffer from severe insomnia. How many drops of essential oils can I use ?
Thank you
Love & Light.

Is mugwort the same as motherwort? If not, which one is best for insomnia?

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