Fall Simmer Pot Recipe

Fall is just around the corner. The back-to-school hustle has begun, and the smells of freshly polished floors and sharp wax crayons fill the hallways as students saunter off to class, leaving shiny apples on teachers’ desks. 

The leaves are changing colors and swaying in the cool, crisp air throughout neighborhoods. A spicy cinnamon candle flickers on the kitchen counter, crackling occasionally as pumpkin muffins are pulled from the oven, filling the air with a warm, sweet aroma. 

But what if you don’t want to wait to enjoy the comforting smells of autumn? While many turn to candles, incense, and air fresheners, these products can introduce harmful chemicals into your lungs. Instead, try a more natural approach to cozy up with the scents of fall by creating a simmer pot to infuse your home with warm, relaxing fragrances. 

What Is a Simmer Pot? 

A simmer pot is a natural method to extract fragrance from an ingredient by letting it simmer in water. The natural aromas offer a healthier alternative to other scented products (like candles) that are safer to breathe into your lungs.  

Making a simmer pot is easy. You can even create a bouquet with the ingredients you have in your kitchen right now. All you need is a medium pot and several aromatic spices, fruits, herbs, or foods that you prefer. For a simmer pot that really captures the essence of fall, try the recipe below. 

Fall Simmer Pot Recipe

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups water
• ½ apple, sliced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1½ TBSP whole cloves
• 2 sprigs of sage
• 4 drops of sandalwood essential oil

Directions:

1. To a medium pot or simmer pot, add water, apple, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and sandalwood essential oil.  
2. Cover and heat pot over medium-low heat until simmering.
3. Remove lid and continue to simmer for up to 20 minutes, then remove from heat. Leave on stove for up to 20 minutes more, or until no longer fragrant. 

The Importance of Using Whole, Pure Ingredients 

While you’re not technically ingesting the ingredients used in simmer pot recipes, you are breathing the compound into your lungs. Sticking whole foods, herbs, or spices can help protect you from harmful volatile organic compounds. Moreover, these ingredients may offer various health benefits to your body when inhaled. 

• Cinnamon offers a wide range of health benefits, including antifungal, cardiovascular-protective, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. [1] 
• When steamed, whole cloves can help open up nasal passages, especially when battling the common cold or a respiratory illness. [2] 
• Sandalwood essential oil can reduce inflammation in the body. [3] 

Make Your Own Fall Simmer Pot 

Just like taste, scents are subjective to each individual. Below are some favorite fall ingredients to create a spicy, yet comforting autumn bouquet. Feel free to mix and match with the ingredients in the recipe above until you find your favorite aromatic combination! 

Simmer Pot Tips

A few things to keep in mind before you let your creativity loose and start creating your simmer pot recipes: 

• Simmer pots come in all shapes and sizes. I have a clear glass pot, and I love it! But be sure you know what material your pot is made of, what type of stove it’s good for, and how much heat it’s able to sustain. Glass can break when put under extreme temperatures and should not be used on induction stoves. 
• Fresh or dried florals, herbs, and spices will work equally well in a simmer pot. 
• You can swap out any whole foods with its essential oil counterpart.  

References:

1. Beneficial Effects of Cinnamon on the Metabolic Syndrome, Inflammation, and Pain, and Mechanisms Underlying These Effects – A Review. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine [Internet]. 2012 Jan 1;2(1):27–32. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411016300670  
2. Do Cloves Have Health Benefits? [Internet]. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-cloves  
3. Winkelman W. Aromatherapy, botanicals, and essential oils in acne. Clinics in Dermatology [Internet]. 2018 Mar 10 [cited 2024 Sep 10];36(3):299–305. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0738081X18300403