9 Fall Spices for Staying Warm & Cozy, Plus How to Use Them
Fall is fast approaching! We've just pivoted from 80+ degree days back to rainy and overcast here in Washington.
That means the pumpkin spice EVERYTHING is coming out in full force, no matter where you look.
If you're a fan, you might be happy to hear that pumpkin spice offers several health benefits from both an Ayurvedic and Western perspective.
It's usually a blend that makes up this seasonal favorite: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
Then there are a few more fall spices that offer beneficial properties as well. Get the run down on all of them below:
Feel free to print and hang this on your fridge or near your spice cabinet!
My 9 favorite fall spices for staying warm and cozy all season long
Cinnamon
Warming, balancing, stimulates sex drive, circulation, mood, and digestion. Balances vata (wind/space) & kapha (earth/water). Can help manage blood sugar levels.
White pepper
My favorite spice when I have a cold! This kapha-balancer helps clear up congestion and remove excess phlegm.
Ginger
Known as the universal medicine in Ayurveda, ginger stimulates digestion, reduces inflammation, facilitates nutrient absorption & waste elimination.
Hing/Asafoetida
This pretty yellow flower helps reduce vata (wind/space) symptoms like gas, bloating, & digestive discomfort. It burns toxins in the tissues (ama) & can help you digest legumes gas-free.
Allspice
Helps relieve acidity, heartburn, gas, & stomach pain. Aids in stimulating digestion & is antiseptic.
Nutmeg
Expectorant properties help relieve cough while its calming qualities may help promote sleep.
Clove
This warming spice increases pitta (fire/water) while reducing vata & kapha. Can induce sweating, increase sex drive, & help dilate blood vessels.
Cumin
This vata-calming spice stokes the digestive fire & promotes healthy absorption while eliminating toxins in the GI tract.
Cardamom
A tri-doshic (all constitutional types) spice helps stimulate digestion, reduces gas, & opens the pores. It supports the stomach & lungs.
How to use fall spices to boost digestion and stay healthy
Oatmeal
Slighty heavier than rice, oats are soft, sticky, warm, sweet, and slightly oily with high fiber content and prebiotic qualities. I go for oats when I’m feeling a need for sweet in the morning. I love it with cacao nibs, vanilla protein powder, fresh berries, and slivered almonds.
Golden milk or chai
Golden milk or a non-caffeinated chai is my favorite way to start the day.
I especially like the blend from Paavani Ayurveda, with turmeric, chai spices, & adaptogens Ashwagandha & Shatavari to promote digestion and rejuvenate the body.
You can also simply add warming spices to your favorite warm beverage, from coffee to hot chocolate and more.
Try cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, cardamom, turmeric, and black pepper for a sweet and spicy combination.
Soups & stews
Jok, congee, or rice porridge
I fell in love with jok when I lived in Thailand. It’s my go-to when I have a cold or flu. Sweet and nourishing, best with broth and ghee, green onion, grated fresh ginger, and white pepper.
Rice is rich in carbohydrates, provides energy to the body and can be combined in multiple ways. It’s sweet, nourishing, and cooling.
Butternut squash soup
Who doesn’t love butternut squash soup? This sweet and savory fall staple is always a crowd pleaser, and it’s so easy to change it up with different flavors and spices.
Most fall and winter squash has a demulcent quality that coats the digestive tract. It can also help bowel regularity due to its high fiber content, while zinc boosts the immune system.
Oxtail stew
Oxtail stew is my favorite nourishing fall/winter food for when vata (wind/space element) is high. The high protein, marrowy goodness combines with warming spices, greens, and sweet onions to create the perfect windy weather elixir.
Try it
Do you have plans to try one of the recipes above? Or do you have your own favorite ways to incorporate warming spics? I’d love to hear about them! Just shoot me an email at hello@simplewildfree.com and let me know!
