Scent is all around us. Sometimes it takes center stage in obvious ways, like when coffee is brewing or fresh bread is baking. In other instances, it’s in the background, subtly setting the tone for the environment. Whether we are actively paying attention or not, scent is a constant companion, with the ability to influence mood and our perception of life experiences. Throughout human history, aromatic plants have been used intentionally to shape the atmosphere of the places we inhabit and impact the nervous systems of the people within.
Simmer pots, which may also be referred to as stovetop potpourri, offer us a simple way to engage with herbs aromatically. They use heat to volatilize the terpene components of plants and fill the space with their natural aromatics. Simmer pots are an herbal ritual we can enlist any time we want to quietly influence a space.
You’ve likely experienced the impact that aromatics can have on emotions, but did you know that the sense of smell is also directly linked to our brain’s memory processing centers? Those same scents that bring a sense of calm and comfort can also help us recall special memories or significant moments from the past. Working with simmer pots allows us to experience the power of aromatic plant connection in our environment and positively guide our moments in time.
Making a simmer pot is quite easy and involves just a few supplies. All one must do is place herbs, spices, and citrus in a pot, cover with water, and let them warm gently on the stove. Choosing the plants to place in the pot can be a fun part of the experience, inviting creativity, connecting with seasonal rhythms, and tailoring to personal favorites. Selecting your herbs based on their smell is the most important part, but also considering their visual appeal can make this a delightful formulation experiment.
It’s a Good Day Simmer Pot
This aromatic simmer pot offers a quiet way to welcome plant wisdom into your day. It’s crafted with the 2026 Virtual Herbalism Conference in mind, a free gathering for herbalists. The fragrance of the simmer pot helps soften the edges, uplift mood, and encourage a calm, focused presence. It’s a simple, sensory way to connect with plants and a lovely companion to infuse a space with aromatics for herbal learning, community gatherings, or the quiet rhythm of everyday tasks.
Ingredients
- 1 orange (Citrus x sinensis) fruit, sliced
- 1 lemon (Citrus x limon) fruit, sliced
- 2 cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) bark sticks
- 1–2 bay (Laurus nobilis) leaves
- 1 Tbsp. rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) leaf
- 1 Tbsp. lavender (Lavandula spp.) flower bud
- 1-inch fresh ginger (Zingiber officinale) rhizome, sliced
- Water
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a medium-sized pot and cover generously with water.
- Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low.
- Check on the simmer pot periodically, making sure to add water as needed to maintain the water level and keep the ingredients submerged.
- Continue to simmer as long as you wish, and the aromatics persist.
Note: Keeping the heat low and steady creates a gentle simmer that releases aromatic compounds without cooking or scorching the herbs and spices.
A Free Invitation for Herbalists
This simmer pot is a method to work with plants in their whole form and engage their sensory components in a way that positively impacts our life experience. Aroma and presence are not separate from wellness; they are very much a part of how we create connection and even balance in everyday life.
In the same spirit of connection, please join us in gathering for the free 2026 Virtual Herbalism Conference. Prepare this simmer pot for the event (or make a Cup of Connection Ceremony Tea) as we center ourselves on this year’s theme of Wholeness. Wholeness reflects the heart of herbalism in many ways – a theme that honors whole plants, the whole person, and the role of community in shared herbal knowledge.
This free, global event takes place online February 15–20, 2026, and brings together herbalists, clinicians, educators, and herb enthusiasts from all corners of the globe.
Learn More and Register for the
2026 Virtual Herbalism Conference here.
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