Anyone else notice that Starbucks seems to be releasing its pumpkin spice lattes earlier every year? This year, it was mid-August. While the Fall Equinox was just a few weeks ago, it seems pumpkin spice isn't just for Fall anymore! And, who can blame us? This is more than a Starbucks craze. The scents and flavors of pumpkin spice hearken cozy days ahead - “sweater weather," “soup days," and excitement for the holidays and changing of the season.
Cinnamon, clove, ginger, nutmeg - they can all evoke a sense of nostalgia and bring warmth to drinks and meals when added to our food. In aromatherapy, these essential oils bring warming energy and winter wellness support to aromatherapy blends.
Using Pumpkin Spice in Baking
Traditionally, pumpkin spice in baking may include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, and allspice. Pumpkin spice can be used to brighten a variety of dishes, from savory such as in a tofu or beef dish, to sweet, such as pumpkin pie. To make your own pumpkin spice, try this pumpkin spice blend shared in this Fall’s issue of Cook’s Magazine:
Combine the following spices and store in an airtight container out of direct light:
- ¼ cup ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg (Use pre-ground, or grind yourself)
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
This make-at-home pumpkin spice blend is great as a variation on cinnamon sugar toast or to spice up a tofu scramble with red pepper, carrots, red onion, and zucchini. Note: A little can go a long way in savory dishes!
Pumpkin Spice Aromatherapy
In aromatherapy, the fragrances that bring pumpkin spice to life are also wonderful in a diffuser blend or room spray and have the benefit of supporting winter wellness:
Cinnamon Cinnamomum zeylanicum
The aroma of cinnamon will transport you to a crisp autumn afternoon, the orange and yellow leaves falling to the ground as the cozy aroma of holiday spices waft toward you from the kitchen. A wonderful herbal spice, cinnamon is a warming essential oil. This is the perfect oil for autumn or the Holidays, with a peppery and slightly woody fragrance. Cinnamon also has wonderful cleansing properties and can promote healthy and radiant skin. Shop certified organic and pesticide-free Cinnamon essential oil.
Clove Syzygium aromaticum
With a crisp and slightly spicy aroma, clove bud aromatherapy essential oil is perfect for creating a fresh, clean ambiance—especially during the holidays! It also has a fresh and fruity top note ideal for blending with other spice or citrus oils. Traditionally used for the gums in natural dentistry, clove bud also promotes healthy and radiant skin. Shop certified organic and pesticide-free Clove essential oil.
Ginger Zingiber officinale
Ginger has long been known as a friend to the tummy, but it is also often used as a zesty flavoring for culinary purposes. Ginger has a warm, fresh, woody, spicy, almost citrus top note. The warm and spicy aroma of ginger is ideal to diffuse or blend during the holidays, or anytime you'd like to create a cozy and clean environment. Shop certified organic and pesticide-free Ginger essential oil.
Nutmeg Myristica fragrans
Nutmeg aromatherapy essential oil is a flavoring favorite in the kitchen. Think seasonal cookies, grandma's rice pudding, or your favorite crème brûlée (it's even delicious on wilted greens). The essential oil has a similarly warm, spicy aroma, which makes it a favorite in seasonal blends, spicy perfumes, and men's products. In addition to smelling great, nutmeg essential oil can help restore a healthy and radiant glow for the skin. It is commonly used in DIY soap and candle making, and can also be added to lotions, cosmetics, and detergents. Shop certified organic and pesticide-free Nutmeg essential oil.
Important Note: Always use care and follow safety guidelines when using essential oils. Download our free ebook to learn more about the Essentials of Essential Oil Safety. https://achs.edu/about-us/research-papers-ebooks/essentials-of-essential-oil-safety-2/
Ready to a holistic pumpkin spice experience this season? Keep reading and check out the resources below for more pumpkin-spice-inspired recipes and formulas and share your favorites in the comments!
Take a stroll Down Our Pumpkin Spice Memory Lane: Browse the ACHS Pumpkin Spice Archives
Enjoy these articles and explore a holistic approach to enjoying the wonderful fragrances and flavors of pumpkin spice:
- 3 Mouthwatering (and Healthy!) Pumpkin Recipes
- Ditch the Chemicals in Starbucks: Enjoy a Holistic Pumpkin Spiced Latte
- Delicious Herbed Pumpkin Soup
- Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Sources:
1Health.com. (2023, October 9). Pumpkin spice benefits: What to know. Health.com. https://www.health.com/pumpkin-spice-benefits-7974986
2Turner, E. (2023, September). The best pumpkin spice is homemade. Cook’s Magazine, (184), 28–28.
