Warming Herbs

Feeling a little chilly? I love the idea of using warming herbs as the fall season approaches. Shifting the herbs we use to match the seasons helps the body adapt to environmental changes and helps us stay connected to the rhythms of nature. Using the following herbs will help increase circulation, aid digestion, and warm the body. These herbs are wonderful to add to soups, and even to hot baths. Try incorporating them into hot teas, baked goods, salad dressings, and sauces. You can add them to herbal honey as honey (and vinegar) are considered warming foods.

Warming herbs

Warming Herbs: 

• Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

• Cayenne (Capsicum spp.)

• Cumin (Cuminum cyminum)

• Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)

• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)

• Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)

• Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)

• Dill (Anethum graveolens)

• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

• Garlic (Allium sativum)

• Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (fresh or dried)

• Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

• Mustard (Brassica spp.)

• Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

• Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)

• Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum)

• Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Star anise (Illicium verum)

• Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

• Watercress (Nasturtium officinale)

© Elaine Sheff, Clinical Herbalist, RH (AHG)