The festive season is upon us and with it comes all the wonderful seasonal smells and tastes. Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, peppermint, thyme and rosemary are all often included in traditional festive dishes and desserts. The pine smell from a real Christmas tree never gets old. Here in Australia, it is the height of summer and many of our native trees are blooming. It seems wherever you go you are met with wonderful sights and smells that remind you of this special time of the year. It feels like there are more herbs and spices used at this time, than any other time of the year. So why not get on board! Infusing herbs into your celebrations is a fun way to enhance your home, meals, drinks and even your gifts. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:
By Tamara Welsh, Happy Herbalist
Infuse Herbal Bitters into your Cocktails & Mocktails
The festive season is a time when we indulge in wonderful foods and drinks and perhaps drop our regular exercise routines. Supporting digestion is therefore paramount to avoid feeling sluggish. When it comes to a sluggish digestive system, bitter herbs are used, as the bitter flavours stimulate the digestive juices to increase enzymatic actions. You can make your own bitter herbal tincture using herbs such as Mugwort, Gentian and/or Dandelion root. Alternatively, you can purchase a bitter herb from our Spagyric range. Herbal bitters can then be consumed in a small amount of water 20 minutes prior to eating to support digestion. They are also a wonderful way to enhance a cocktail or mocktail for an aperitif or digestif.
For more ideas on herbs for digestive health check out this blog:
For Mocktail inspiration, check our these recipes:
Decorate your home with fresh greenery
There is nothing better than the smell of fresh herbs around the home and they are such a lovely way to decorate your home during the festive season. Depending on where you live and what’s available, you can gather pinecones, juniper branches, rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, eucalypts and myrtles. Always remember to harvest ethically and mindfully, looking for abundant species in your area (or garden) and using only what you need. It’s best to stay away from busy roads when collecting where plants have been exposed to toxic chemicals.
Once you’ve collected your greens, they can be placed in vases, made into wreaths or used as table decorations. The options here are endless, so have fun and get creative.
Upgrade your festive treats with herbal powders
Powdered herbs are so versatile because they can be easily added to raw and baked sweets, desserts and even homemade ice creams and smoothies. Happy Herb Co stocks a huge range of powdered herbs and there are endless ways in which you can use them. All you need to do is decide on the herbs that best suit your needs and then add them to your favourite Christmas treats. Examples include Milk Thistle or Schisandra to enhance detoxification by the liver, Ashwagandha or Siberian ginseng for stress support and Rhodiola and Maca for energy and endurance.
Below are a few recipes ideas to get you started:
Tasty Testosterone Balls with Tongat Tiger, Tribulus & Deer Antler
Stamina Smoothie with Tribulus, Suma & Maca
Give someone an herbal gift
DIY herbal gifts are a beautiful way to show your love and appreciation for family and friends at Christmas time. There are so many different ways that herbs can be made into stunning personalised gifts. Here are a few options for you to try.
Herbal bath salts or scrubs are a great gift. Herbs and Epsom salts can be added to a pretty jar, or alternatively you can make a big herbal tea bag for the bath using cheesecloth and ribbon. Chamomile flowers, Rose petals, Lavender flowers and Lemon balm are all relaxing herbs that can be added to baths with salts or used as scrubs. Check out this recipe to get you started:
https://www.happyherbcompany.com/rose-coconut-love-scrub/
Culinary herbs such as Thyme, Rosemary, Sage and Celery can be added to rock salt creating an herbal salt used for seasoning. Similarly, herbs can be added to Olive oil and placed in a decorative bottle for your friend or family member who loves to cook.
Herbal honeys make beautiful and tasty gifts and are also great for kids. Lavender flowers added to honey infuse to create a relaxing treat straight off the spoon for little ones before bed.
Lastly, blending a personalised herbal tea for a loved one is a thoughtful gift. You can use the Happy Herb Co website to “Shop by effect” and choose herbs that will suit. If you need some inspiration check, the following blogs might help:
Herbal Tea Blends for Gut Health
Spring Teas and Tonics for Detoxification
As you can see, there are many ways to infuse herbs into your festive season and I hope you’ve found a few ideas that resonate with you.
Also by The Happy Herbalist
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