everything you need to know about herbal simmer pots

Simmer pots are a natural and creative way to fill your home with feel good aromas . They are a great non toxic alternative to scented wax melts, candles, and plug in or spray air fresheners. You can create a simmer pot in your own home or office by simply combining aromatic herbs, warm spices, dried fragrant flowers and citrus peels with water and just allowing them to simmer gently, adding water when necessary, as it will evaporate - In a crockpot you’ll want to put it on low heat- Pleasant smells have long been shown to enhance our overall well being and mood. 

What’s even better is that when simmer pots are made with the intention of calling forth the spiritual properties of the ingredients, you also will benefit from the positive energetic shift as well. What’s more, a simmer pot crafted with certain medicinal herbs can help us to breathe easier and help to cleanse the air. Lavender and Balsam Fir are two of which have been used for centuries to purify the air and have antimicrobial properties. Whenever I make one of these fragrant, bubbling blends I feel as if I am taking a step back from our fast paced world and I am transported back to the days of yesteryear! New to Simmer Pots? Here are some frequently asked questions:


Q: I see simmer pot recipes that use fresh fruit, what’s the difference between only using dried ingredients and adding fresh ingredients?

A: ingredients like freshly picked herbs, apples, sliced up citrus fruits and berries can be wonderful addition to simmer pots. When you use these ingredients though, the simmer pot will only last about 2 days and if you’re not using a crockpot ( where the heat won’t stay on all the time ) then it would be best to refrigerate the contents in between uses. Dried herbs, peels and spices last longer-about 4 days and their aromas are more concentrated.


Q: Can you drink the simmer pot liquid?

A: You could certainly craft a simmer pot with consumption in mind. These simmer pots would be short simmers and not used for days and then consumed. An example would be a lemon, ginger and Thyme simmer pot. You would only simmer for an hour or two, adding water and honey at the end so it’s not so concentrated, and you could drink it to help ease cold symptoms. You would get the benefit of the lovely smell wafting in the air and have a nice hot beverage to comfort your cold.


Q: Are Simmer Pots pet friendly?

A: Yes, Simmer Pots are pet friendly. Always make sure your simmer pots are out of reach of pets. Some simmer pot recipes you will come across will include essential oils, which can be harmful to pets( and even humans-particularly children and the elderly)in large quantities, as a pet owner I don’t recommend using essential oils in Simmer Pots.

Q: What are some other ways I can use the liquid from a Simmer Pot?

A: You can make Simmer Pots specifically to use in room air freshener sprays and clothing/fabric refreshers. As with the consumable Simmer Pots, you’d not want to simmer for days.. just a few hours at max. Adding vodka prevents it from spoiling and growing bacteria and mold. I typically will add 1⁄4 cup of vodka to 3⁄4 cup of liquid. Just be aware that spraying directly on clothing and fabrics could cause staining so you would not want to use darkly colored liquids. Adding a very small amount of essential oils to these sprays( not to the Simmer Pot itself )is okay since you're not simmering the essential oils, of course if you have pets make sure they are considered safe for pets!


​Q: How do you dispose of Simmer Pot contents?
A: You can strain the liquid, if not using it for the above mentioned purposes, and dump it down the drain. Solids can be thrown in the trash or put in composting pile.( not where pets can get to it though) ​

Leading up to the full moon I always keep my gratitude up and my negativity down. I want the best intentions to be a part of the process in making Full Moon Water Spray. I make this spray to offer to my family and friends as a tool for protection and as a way to utilize the astrological energy of a current moon along with the full moon’s support in illuminating things we all need to work on , and of course her ability to help us let things go. I make a beautiful Simmer Pot like this recipe I’ve included, while I begin setting my intentions. Once simmered and fully fragrant ( and always after I’ve said my prayers) I’ll strain the liquid into a glass jar and put it outside to bask in the glow and the powers of the Full Moon. The next morning I bring the jar in, add the appropriate amount of vodka and place it in the refrigerator until I can put it into individual spray bottles. You can also call in the energies of different stones and crystals. When I get to bottling the moon water spray I usually dilute the Simmer Pot liquid with plain moonwater I have made in a separate vessel. I may also add small amounts of various essential oils that call in the energies I am asking the spray to embody. Bottling and labeling are also done with gratitude and intention. Happy Simmering!! 

This post was written by Debra Romano, an apprentice at Herbs Love And Yoga