Autumn Wellness Rituals
There’s something so wonderful about the cool air that comes with the first weeks of fall. Like clockwork, those crisp mornings signal some primal rhythm in me. Hunt, gather, slow down. Start to crave citrus, warm tea, hot baths, and five more minutes under the covers.
Autumn also has a way of welcoming inspiration and ideas into my life. This year it means a new little series for Highlighting the routines that help me to be well and live verdantly. First up, autumn wellness rituals!
1. Super Tea: Bee Pollen, Spicy Honey, Ginger, Citrus // Steep these in a mug of hot water for a one-two punch against colds, congestion, and fall allergies.
- 1-2 tbsp bee pollen
- 1 tbsp spicy honey (or regular honey with a dash of vinegar and cayenne pepper)
- 2 tbsp shaved ginger
- Juice from 1/2 lemon or lime
Containing every essential amino acid, bee pollen is one of nature’s most nourishing superfoods – and when baught locally, both pollen and honey seem to help a lot with fall allergies. Ginger, lemon, and lime round out the go-to tea list as they each strengthen immunity, aid in healthy digestion, and increase alkalinity in the body.
2. Activated Charcoal // Use Nature’s Way Activated Charcoal for all kinds of stuff. Its micropores soak up what it touches, so it’s great to use in a deep-cleansing face mask and can help clear up an upset stomach slash food poisoning slash those times you drink a whole bottle of wine by yourself (no judge, right?). It also makes a great natural teeth whitener.
3. Epsom Salts // Those long hot baths you crave as September rolls in are made even better with a big scoop of Dr. Teal’s eucalyptus-spearmint epsom salts. They exfoliate. They eliminate toxins. They regulate enzymes. They relax and soothe aching muscles. Mix a few tablespoons of them into a gallon of water and they’ll even nourish your houseplants.
4. Rescue Remedy Spray // I stumbled across Bach’s Rescue Remedy Spray by way of Alexis Smart’s (pricier) dropper version. Made of star of Bethlehem, rock rose, cherry plum, impatiens, clematis, and grape-based brandy, both are a great substitute for coffee on a stressful afternoon. You can also use it to calm a nervous pet during thunderstorms and car trips.
5. Pine Tar Soap // Grandpa’s Pine Tar Soap. The very sight of this soap warms my bones. It smells like a campfire and costs only $6.
6. Tiger Balm // At the first sign of a cough , rub Extra Strength Tiger Balm on your chest and the soles of your feet. It’s like an arctic awakening for your sinuses and leaves your feet with the coolest fresh tingle at bedtime.