Herbal sachets are simple to create, and they make pleasing, gentle sleep aids. Unlike other sleep aids, they are not placed on or in the body. Because of this, they will not cause side effects, such as drowsiness, as most drugs and some botanicals do. Tuck a sachet into your pillowcase or hang it by your bed at night. For a little extra help sleeping, relax with a cup of lemon balm, chamomile, and lavender tea before bedtime.
What is a Scented Sachet?
A scented sachet is a small bag filled with fragrant herbs. They can be placed in a drawer or closet to freshen and scent clothes, left in a room as potpourri, tucked into bedding, or carried in a pocket or purse. Hang one from your car's rearview mirror for a natural replacement for synthetic car fragrances. In this case, the scented sachet should be placed in, on, or near the bed where the sleeper can smell it.
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A number of herbs smell nice and have reputed properties of relaxation.
- Lavender: tiny purple-blue buds are bursting with smell, at once overpowering and relaxing. Lavender is the #1 scent for relaxation and sleep, but some people don't like it. Use in moderation, as the scent is strong.
- Chamomile (German or Roman species): white and yellow chamomile flowers are beautiful and sweet-smelling. "Chamomile" is in fact named for its apple-like scent (it means "earth apple" or "ground apple" in Greek). The smooth, mild, sweet fragrance blends well with others. Soothing and relaxing.
- Hops: hops is an effective sedative with a slightly sweet, slightly bitter smell.
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata): a spicy-, woody-smelling herb known for its sedating and hypnotic (sleep-inducing) properties.
- Lemon balm: a calming herb with a very mild lemon-like scent that is subtle and pleasing. Best in tea for a relaxing brew, but good in sachets, too.
- Mugwort: not a sedative per se, this herb helps stimulate dreams at night and is a nice addition to sleep sachets because of this.
- Rose: although not specifically a sedative or relaxant, rose adds a nice fragrance to sweet, flowery herb blends.
It is best to use dried material that is as fresh as it can be. Though dry, the herbs should still retain a vibrant color and potent smell.
Adding Aromatherapy Oils
Herbal sachets have a surprisingly powerful scent all on their own. However, you have the option of adding essential oils to your blend. As a warning: adding even a few drops of essential oil can completely, dramatically change the smell of a sachet, and even make it overpowering. If you wish to add oils, here are some that are appropriate for a sleep sachet:
- Lavender: essential oil has very similar properties and smell as herb, listed above.
- Sweet Marjoram: sweet-smelling, relaxing oil. Use only a couple of drops.
- Valerian: musky scent. A sedating oil. Again, only use a couple of drops.
- Ylang-ylang: very sweet, distinctive smell that quickly overpowers all other smells. Relaxing, uplifting for the spirit. One drop is all that is needed in an entire sachet.
Keep in mind that essential oils are highly concentrated, and thus quite powerful. Please use them in moderation; generally, one to five drops in an entire sachet will do. Use them in the sachet only, not directly on your skin. Also, when shopping for essential oils, make sure that you are buying essential oils, not fragrance oils, essential oil/fragrance oil blends, or any other synthetic or adulterated oil. Essential oils will always come in dark amber or dark blue bottles, as the natural oils are quite reactive to light and would otherwise break down in a clear bottle. Look specifically for the words "essential oil." A scientific name of the plant the oil comes from should also be displayed on the bottle. If you can, shop for certified organic essential oils.
Making and Using Your Dried Herb Bag
When making herbal sachets, small muslin bags (the 2"x4" size) work well. Muslin is a kind of cotton fabric. Muslin bags can be found at most herbal and tea supply companies. They are rather cheap to buy, and not only do they make great sachets, they make wonderful, reusable loose-leaf tea bags as well.
Choose your herbs and mix them in a bowl. Actually, if you are only making one or two sachets, a tea cup works well for this purpose. The amount of each herb used in the mixture should be based on the herb's potency of smell and personal preference. For instance, since lemon balm has such a mild scent, you may want to use 2 parts of lemon balm to, say, 1/2 part lavender and 1 part chamomile. Generally, you will put about 1 heaping tablespoon (3 teaspoons) of the final mixture into each bag.
If you are adding essential oils, place them after you have filled the bag with the dried herb mixture. Drop them into the bag onto the herbs, not on the outside of the bag. A total of five drops is the most you should add. If you'd rather enjoy the scent of the herbs by themselves, skip this optional step. Even one drop of lavender oil can change the sweet, round scent of the naked herbs.
Once your bag is filled, tighten the drawstrings and tie them. You can give the bag a good shake to get everything mixed, especially if you've used essential oils.
Tuck the bag into a corner of your pillowcase or near the head of the bed. Take a deep, relaxing breath. Sleep well!
Before turning in, though, you may want to unwind to a cup of your own hand blended herbal sleep tea.
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