Dreams have a long history of being recorded and used as tools to help us live our lives. Dreams have been described as messages from our subconscious or as messages from the Divine or prophecies of the future.
Because dreams were thought to be messages, many cultures have sought to stimulate dreams in order to use them.
The most common way to stimulate dreaming is by the use of herbs or essential oils in teas or in pillows, and for some by the use of crystals.
Dream pillows contain dried herbs and are placed under your pillow to promote restful sleep as well as stimulate dreams.
You can also use essential oils to sprinkle on your pillowcase before you go to bed - or to rub on your body.
Lavender and chamomile will promote sleep. A good oil for insomnia (that is much stronger smelling) is vetiver - rubbed on your feet before you go to bed.
Lemon balm (Melissa) will make dreams more vivid.
Rosemary will help you remember your dreams.Other good oils to use are jasmine or sandalwood or frankincense oil. You can mix and match any of these until you find the perfect blend that helps you dream, or you can use a blend already made for this called Dream Catcher.
Drinking teas made from rosemary, basil, or chamomile before bed are noted to help dispel nightmares. Using the essential oils are just as effective (or more!).
Any of these herbs can be used in essential oil form in a bath or massage oil before bedtime, or try a few drops of a special sleep oil blend on your pillow.