Simmering Scents

No sense fills you with the holiday spirit quite like your sense of smell.

Cinnamon pine cones, pumpkin pie and hot chocolate all set the mood for gift giving and quality time with those we hold dear. You can produce those same magical aromas in a simmer pot.

In a simmer pot, also known as stovetop potpourri, a mixture of spices, citrus fruits and other ingredients come together in simmering water to release natural and enticing fragrances. By adding moisture to the air along with the warm scents, the pots provide the added benefit of softening dry, frigid air seeping in from the wintery outdoors.

Dr. Monica Hayes, a certified aromatherapist, loves to share the joy of educating others on the physical and mental benefits of aromatherapy.

“I’m all about getting us back to more natural ways of living,” Hayes said. “If you know about the natural things, and so often we grow them in our backyard, they can help relieve pain, keep away insects and diminish headaches.”

Studies have uncovered a phenomenon now known as the Proust effect which provides an understanding of how our brains process smells in relation to our memories. Arousing your senses with a familiar smell or taste can bring nostalgic memories flooding back. Imagine, then, how a simmer pot at holiday gatherings might instantly remind family and friends of past years, spawning conversations about the good old days.

“The limbic system controls emotion, and the olfactory system is connected,” Hayes said. “If you smell something good, it can bring up memories and have therapeutic effects. You begin to feel better. You can remember Grandma baking cookies or Mom preparing the turkey. Recreate those scents, and voilà! You have the memory or emotions brought right back.”

Dried ingredients of appropriate amounts can be placed in jars or bags in advance of simmer pot use. Dressed up, the containers make great stocking stuffers. Whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger and cloves can be purchased in bulk to use all season long as only a few are needed in each pot. Photo by Brooke Boyer / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Starting your first simmer pot is simple. Grab any pot you have on hand — or consider investing in a clear glass pot that has an elegant visual aesthetic — and add in some water and your favorite ingredients to create a symphonious scent.

There are some guidelines to follow when experimenting to create your perfect simmer pot combination. Start with citrus, such as orange, lemon, lime and even grapefruit. Cranberries are a good addition to a holiday blend and provide a beautiful red color, especially eye-catching in a clear pot.

Spices and herbs can be added to complement the blend. Whole cinnamon sticks, star anise, ginger and cloves can be purchased in bulk to use all season long as only a few are needed in each pot. Finally, consider some fresh herbs, such as rosemary, oregano and mint.

Flowers and fruit can be added, but take care to not heat ingredients for too long as they turn to mush after a few hours, creating a less attractive visual experience.

Dried ingredients can be portioned into jars or bags in advance, and these simmer pot starters also make perfect holiday gifts.

Holiday Blends

Aromatherapy simmer pots

Trigger memories of past holiday get-togethers and help make this year’s celebration special by infusing your home with scents of the season.

» Winter Pine
• Orange, apple and lemon peels
• Cinnamon sticks
• Stare anise
• Pine Sprig

» Cranberry-Orange
• Cranberries
• Orange slices
• Cinnamon sticks
• Rosemary
• Cloves

» Pumpkin Spice
• Pumpkin puree
• Apple and orange slices
• Cinnamon sticks
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Cloves