Falling asleep on lightly scented pillows sounds like a luxurious dream to many people, but it actually has a lot of practical uses too. Aromatherapy is a popular holistic choice for treating a wide range of ailments, and one of the most popular ingredients to use is lavender.

Lavender is a lightly scented flower that has been used as a calming agent for centuries. In current years, it’s been advertised as a relaxation and sleep aid, especially when included in your nighttime routine as a pillow spray. These sprays are relatively easy to make at home and can significantly lower your stress levels and improve sleep quality.

Here’s everything you need to know about lavender as an aromatherapy tool and how to make lavender pillow spray.

Why does essential oil pillow spray help you sleep?

Many cultures worldwide believe balms, essential oils, and other treatments can do everything from improve your mood to treat illnesses without harsh medications. They’re also used commonly to improve sleep. 

Because of this, essential oil pillow sprays and sleep mists have become increasingly popular in recent years, in particular those with lavender or chamomile. Many believe lavender has a calming and relaxing effect which in return helps us to sleep.

Essential oil pillow sprays work by encouraging you to be calm and relaxed. Once you spritz the mist onto your hollowfibre pillow, you’ll breathe in the calming smell of lavender and hopefully fall asleep easier. 

Lavender in aromatherapy

Interestingly, lavender has been used as a relaxing agent for thousands of years, both in aromatherapy practices and as a dietary supplement. It’s easy to recognise lavender growing in the wild as the plant has distinctive purple flowers which grow in clusters along tall green stems. 

Lavender can have a calming effect on individuals who inhale the scent. This is because the oil absorbs relatively rapidly into the bloodstream. Inhaling the smell for a short time can lower your heart rate and promote muscle relaxation.

It’s also been shown that lavender affects pain. Those with chronic illnesses such as arthritis and migraines and specific conditions such as ulcers reported lessening pain and faster recovery times from flair-ups. These benefits were seen in a matter of weeks when other treatments had been ineffective.

What does spraying lavender on your pillow do?

A light spray of lavender essential oil on your luxury pillow before bed can help you fall asleep quicker and wake up feeling refreshed. This is more direct than using a full-room diffuser, which may take several minutes to permeate the space enough to make a difference.

The oil is easily absorbed by the pillow’s fabric and can last quite a long time, allowing extended exposure to the scent for a better effect. It works well on all bedding types, but especially cotton and silk (though it may stain silk if not sprayed very finely).

On top of that, many lavender spray recipes have antimicrobial properties. This can help keep your pillow fresher and cleaner, which can improve not only your sleep quality and general hygiene but your skin quality as well.

The risks of lavender and essential oils

It’s worth noting lavender can cause mild skin irritation and allergic reactions in some individuals. This is rare and not usually severe, but it is still something to look out for. If you notice any redness, itching, lightheadedness, headache, or nausea, stop using it immediately and consult your doctor.

You also should not ever use undiluted essential oils on your skin or in your food, as this can cause severe reactions. Avoid using potent essential oils if you are pregnant, have small children or pets, or are prone to respiratory problems such as asthma. If this is the case, consider using lavender tea as a less intense alternative.

Finally, if you choose to use a pre-made lavender essential oil, be very careful to select a skin-safe, reputable brand and check the ingredients listed on the bottle before using it.

Homemade lavender pillow spray recipe for sleep

Now you understand the benefits of lavender, it’s time to put it to the test. We’ve put together a guide below on how to make pillow spray at home.

What you’ll need

  • Lavender (dry or oil)
  • Distilled water
  • Glass or enamel-coated pot (non-reactive)
  • Glass or ceramic bowl
  • Strainer 
  • Spray bottle 

The lavender used in most home recipes comes in one of two forms. You can choose to use fresh dry lavender or lavender essential oil. You may optionally need witch hazel or vodka.

1 - Make a lavender tea

Lavender tea is the best way to include fresh lavender in homemade pillow sprays, especially if you have grown the lavender yourself. It doesn’t require any specialist equipment and is much easier to make than lavender essential oil.

To make lavender tea:

  1. Place your dried lavender buds in a glass or ceramic bowl.
  2. In a separate pot or kettle, bring distilled water up to a boil.
  3. Once it has boiled, take the water off the heat and pour it over the buds, soaking and covering them completely.
  4. Allow the tea to brew for 20-30 minutes, then strain out the lavender buds.

You can make lavender tea to drink as well, although it only needs to brew for around 5 minutes maximum. You only need to use about a teaspoon of buds for every 200-250ml of water when making tea to drink. 

2 - Make a lavender tonic

Lavender tonic is made using essential oils rather than fresh lavender. It’s great for those who don’t have access to the fresh plant and can be made quickly and easily. The recipe also includes either witch hazel and vodka, which bring their own added benefits. 

Witch hazel is a natural skin toner and will keep your skin clean and refreshed. Vodka is naturally antiseptic, so it will help with keeping your skin clear as well.

It’s imperative to note that you absolutely cannot substitute these materials for another kind of alcohol, such as rubbing or isopropyl. Not only will these have an overwhelming smell, but they may also cause skin irritation even when diluted.

To make a lavender tonic, combine several drops of your lavender oil with either witch hazel or vodka, then shake vigorously for about 15-30 seconds to combine. Oil does not mix well with other products, so it must be thoroughly incorporated to prevent splitting.

3 - Dilute your lavender solution

As mentioned, using a rich lavender oil or tea can cause some irritation. This is why it’s crucial to dilute the solution with distilled water once it has thoroughly cooled.

Distilled water has no natural impurities that may react with the lavender and cause the spray to lose its potency much earlier. You can also substitute with more witch hazel if you’ve used it previously in the recipe, which may again prevent splitting in the solution.

Store your lavender solution in a glass or PET plastic bottle, although glass is preferable. Lavender oil has been known to degrade certain materials over time, like regular plastic, which might cause leaks in your container or shorten the shelf life of the spray. 

4 - Spray your pillows and sheets

When you’re ready to use your homemade lavender spray, shake the solution to redistribute it thoroughly. Then, lightly spray your pillows and sheets. Try not to oversaturate the fabric, and do this shortly before sleeping for the best effects. It also works very well as a room refresher when simply sprayed into the air.

Depending on how often you use it, your homemade sleep mist can last you a pretty long time. Once you’ve found the proper ratio for you, making it in a larger batch is a wise investment. You can keep the solution in a cool place for several months, and it lasts even longer when stored in the refrigerator.

When you’ve found a ratio in your lavender spray that works for you, you might consider adding other scents. Chamomile, sage, and eucalyptus are excellent when paired with lavender for a stress-relieving atmosphere. You can also add citrus scents for more focused energy during the day.

Enjoy a relaxing night of sleep 

Homemade lavender pillow spray is as luxurious as it is effective. It’s a great way to invest in your mental, emotional, and physical health. If you’ve struggled to find a solution to stress, pain, or insomnia that works, consider giving lavender pillow mist a try. You may just be surprised by its effectiveness.

At Sleepseeker, we also have a wellbeing bedding collection that is tailored to improve sleep quality. If you don’t want to make your own sleep spray, the Slumberdown lavender and vanilla pillow covers are a great choice. These pillow covers are infused with lavender and vanilla and will last up to 20 washes. 

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