Herb-Inspired Winter Crafts for the Home

Herbal-inspired crafts and culinary endeavors offer a delightful way to harness the energy of Autumn/Winter. This time between the fall equinox and winter solstice is a time for going inward. It's a time for introspection, reflection and self-nourishment, as well as a time to literally go inside - it's cold out! In this blog we share creative ideas for bringing Nature indoors and warming up the home with herb-inspired holiday projects.

Herbal Chai Blend

Ener-Chai ZING Tea:  Invoke the warmth of holiday cheer with a cup of spicy, warming herbal chai. This blend is our rendition of a traditional chai recipe with a few special twists. We add Cacao for increased feelings of elation and Ginseng for increased energy and inner fire. Simmer the herbs for 15 minutes in water, strain and enjoy (preferably around a wood-burning fire). A spot of steamed milk, cream, honey or brandy may be added for an extra holiday twist.

• Do-It Yourself Option:  Make your own personal Chai blend with a combination of some or all of these herbs: Cinnamon, Clove, Star Anise, Cacao, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Orange peel, Elderberries. 

Mulling Spices:  Make your own blend of traditional mulling spices to bring the scents of the holidays into the home. Traditional blends include: Cinnamon, Orange Peel, Cardamom, Cloves, Star Anise.

• Simmer in water over the stove to infuse the scent throughout the home.
• Simmer in apple juice for 15 min, strain and serve (with or without a spot of brandy) as spiced cider.  
• Simmer in red wine for 15 min, strain and serve warm.  

Bring the Smells of the Forest inside: No matter your religious tradition, a home smelling of freshly cut pine, fir or cedar is a winter treat.   

• Add a few drops of Pine or Cedar essential oil to an aromatherapy diffuser.
• Burn natural incense of Fir, Pine or Cedar. (We carry wildcrafted incense from Juniper Ridge).
• Burn essential-oil containing candles (We carry Pine and Spice from local candle company Big Dipper). Candles are traditionally burned this time of year as they invoke the light during this time of gradually building darkness approaching Winter Solstice.  

Make your own Holiday Potpourri Blend!

Potpourri: Any combination of herbs that are appealing to your visual and olfactory senses may be blended as a potpourri. Combine 5 cups of herbs with 1 T Orris root powder and 15 drops of essential oil.  

The Herbalist's Holiday Potpourri: Mix together 1/2 cup each of Rose buds, Hawthorne berries, Cinnamon sticks, Cardamom Pods, Star Anise, Orange Peel, 1 T Orris Root powder, 5 drops Cinnamon essential oil, 2 drops Orange essential oil.  

• Place in bowls around the home.
• Place in muslin sachets for clothing drawers, under pillows, tossed in freshly dried laundry. 
• Simmer over stove to "mull." 

Shared by Lauren H. @ The Herbalist  
  
For more information visit TheHerbalist.com and discover the herbal remedies best suited for your needs.