Spring Simmer Pot Recipe

Spring has sprung. The crisp scent of fresh air and blooming flowers wafts through an open window in the house. Down the street, the neighbor is mowing their lawn, sending the fresh smell of grass through the cul-de-sac. Inside, someone is cleaning, leaving a zesty citrus fragrance on every sparkling countertop.  

But what if you live in a bustling city or far away from any garden or front lawns? How can you enjoy these sweet and blissful aromas of the springtime? Candles, incense, and air fresheners may seem appealing, but they often come with a price tag and can introduce harmful chemicals into your home. Instead, try pulling together a Spring simmer pot as a natural alternative to infuse your home with the scents of spring.  

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 could 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 spring, try the recipe below.  

Spring Simmer Pot Recipe 

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups water 
• 2-4 lemon slices 
• 2-4 orange slices 
• 1 grapefruit slice 
• 2 sprigs rosemary 
• One bunch sage 

Directions:

1. To a medium pot or simmer pot, add water, sliced citrus, rosemary, and sage.  
2. Heat pot over medium-low heat and cover until it begins to simmer.  
3. Remove lid and continue to simmer for up to 20 minutes, then remove from heat. Leave on stove for up to 20 minutes longer, 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 with Paleo ingredients for your simmer pot or any other whole, pure 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. 

• Lemon can decrease nausea and stress levels. [1] 
• Oranges have been shown to promote relaxation and decrease anxiety.  [2] 
• Grapefruit helps lower food cravings and hunger. It can also energize and uplift the senses. [2] 
• Rosemary has demonstrated the ability to decrease tiredness and enhance mental clarity in some studies. [3] 
• Studies have shown sage has potential to improve memory and cognition. [4] 

Make Your Own Spring Simmer Pot 

Just like taste, scents are subjective to each individual. Below are some of my favorite spring ingredients to create a fresh, sweet spring 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 brake when put under extreme temperatures and should not be used on induction stoves. 
• For a stronger aroma, squeeze the juice of your leftover lemon, orange, grapefruit (or any other fruit) into the simmer pot mix.   
• If you choose to add flowers, you can also add fresh plants to your simmer pot instead of dried.  

References: 

1. Rambod M, Rakhshan M, Tohidinik S, Nikoo MH. The effect of lemon inhalation aromatherapy on blood pressure, electrocardiogram changes, and anxiety in acute myocardial infarction patients: A clinical, multi-centered, assessor-blinded trial design. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2020 May;39:101155. 

2. Dosoky N, Setzer W. Biological Activities and Safety of Citrus spp. Essential Oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018 Jul 5;19(7):1966.