“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”- F. Scott Fitzgerald
The warm and earthy fragrance floating through the crisp air is a comforting symbol of fall’s beauty. Autumn is a favorite season for many and the good feelings it brings may be due to the soothing aromas that fill the air.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg is a sweetly warm and invitingly rich scent that is used throughout fall and winter baking and is a frequent find throughout aromatherapy due to its health benefits. It is known to alleviate insomnia and reduce stress. So whether you’re sipping on a nutmeg infused latte or baking a delicious cake, make sure to bask in its aroma to relieve any stress and tension of the day.
Apple: Smelling a fresh baked apple pie is the next best thing to actually eating one, and is a fall favorite. A 2008 study reported that simply smelling apples can alleviate migraine symptoms. The fruity scent of the green apple is similarly linked to reducing anxiety.
Rosemary: Rosemary embodies a woodsy fragrance that is reminiscent of nature and the outdoors. Along with cooking, rosemary is gaining ground for its mental benefits such as its ability to ease sorrow, while preliminary studies showing promise for increasing memory function.
Orange: Although orange is a citrus fruit like lemon or lime that are often associated with summer and spring, the deeper and warmer scent of orange couples well with autumn and winter. Orange is known to reduce anxiety and boost our mood as well as treating colds and congestion.
Pumpkin: What autumn list is complete without mentioning pumpkin. Pumpkins are good for just about anything. From its sweet flavor in a pumpkin pie to the distinct aroma that envelops every corner, pumpkin is certainly the symbol of autumn. Pumpkin carries such a positive association with fall and the holidays that smelling it can relieve anxiety and depression.
Here is a delightfully simple way to fill your home with the lingering aroma of the cool autumn air.
All you need is:
- 5 cups water
- 2 navel oranges, peeled
- 1 apple, sliced in half
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 3 star anise
- 1 teaspoon-sized knob of fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon cardamom pods
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon dried orange peel
Directions:
Combine all ingredients together in a saucepan and heat over low heat until simmering. You can keep this going for a few hours, adding additional water when needed. You can also throw everything in the crockpot and set it on low or high with the top off.
