Celebrating over 20 years of marriage, I still hold a deep affection for Valentine's Day. It provides the perfect canvas for expressing my mushy feelings for my hubby-wubby-kins 💕. As a simple woman, I find chocolates and flowers easily wooing me. However, crafting gestures for the special men in our lives can be a bit trickier. The delightful joy of sharing love is what truly matters. Understanding my husband has taught me that men, like women, appreciate feeling loved and appreciated. It's not about the gift itself but the heartfelt intention behind it.
In times of financial constraint, I opt for a homemade card filled with love puns and childish drawings, paired with his favorite dinner. When finances permit, cute stickers embellish the card, transforming it into a piece of my heart that reflects the uniqueness of our connection. If luck is on his side, a special treat accompanies his favorite dinner, turning the day into a culinary celebration of our love story.
Valentine's Day, for me, transcends the materialistic. It's about finding joy in heartfelt gestures, irrespective of the budget – a celebration of the shared journey, echoed laughter, and deepened love over the years.
Now, if you're seeking ways to infuse herbs into your Valentine's celebration, you've come to the right place for inspiration. While there's a debate on the existence of aphrodisiacs, let's embrace the idea and explore herbs with potential "love induction."
Rosemary is a delightfully aromatic herb that is tasty and refreshing. Rosemary also has the potential to enhance sexual health and vitality, as it promotes blood circulation. The aroma of rosemary is also thought to have invigorating properties, so include a couple of sprigs of rosemary in your bouquet of flowers, generously sprinkle some in dinner, and use some rosemary essential oil in your linen spray.
Lavender, a timeless symbol of romance, is believed to awaken special desires. Whether in teas, infused honey, or desserts, lavender allows you to let go of stress and focus on the present moment. Consider incorporating lavender essential oil into massage oils or lotions for an extra touch of relaxation.
Cardamom is the queen of spice and is a common spice in Indian cuisine, including spicy dishes, desserts, coffee, and tea. This aromatic seed pod offers a flavor that is both sweet and savory while also a little minty. The essential oil is an uplifting and energizing scent, that pairs well with ginger, clove, cedarwood, frankincense, patchouli, and lavender.
Rose, the ultimate symbol of romantic love, with a gentle scent soothing to the heart, can be creatively used in teas, infused honey, or infused wine. Ensure your roses are organic if you plan on consuming them.
Clary Sage, though less common, is a unique plant with a lavender-like aroma inducing a mild euphoria. Ideal for tea recipes, its essential oil blends well with pine and citrus scents, setting a playful mood.
Nutmeg, known for boosting libido, blends well with cinnamon and clove for various spiced desserts and drinks. The essential oil's woody-spicy scent can be invigorating, especially when combined with ginger and cinnamon in a diffuser blend.
Lemon Balm is a lemony mint that has shown to be beneficial in promoting calmness and relaxation, much like lavender. Lemon balm is great for teas, lemonade, infused honey, it's great herb for herbal butters, and it's delightful as an infused into oil for a massage oil.
Damiana, less common but noteworthy, supports increased blood flow to the pelvis region while uplifting the mood. Best used in blends for teas and infused wine.
Cacao beans, the source of chocolate, offer a distinctly dark, rich flavor in the form of cacao nibs. Enjoy them on their own, in trail mix, or infused into teas, coffee, or wine.
Ginger, a spicy herb, gets your blood flowing, perfect for cooking, spicing desserts, teas, and infused honey or wine.
Hibiscus, tangy and sweet, offers a beautiful red hue, ideal for teas, sorbets, tarts, or infused wine.
Patchouli essential oil, while not for everyone, calms an overactive mind and connects you to your sensual side. Experiment with blends like patchouli, vetiver, cedarwood, and orange or mandarin for an earthy diffuser mix or a massage oil blend.
Teas - for tea recipes that include seeds, roots, or bark (cinnamon stick), it is best to simmer lightly on the stovetop for about 20 minutes rather than a quick 3-5 minute countertop steep in hot water. You can use whatever measurement you would like for the parts, but they were designed around 1 part = 1 teaspoon, simmered in 4 cups of water, which will reduce to about 2 cups during the decoction.
Rosey Kisses
6 tsp rose petals
1 tsp damiana
1 tsp ginger or cinnamon chips
1 tsp crushed cardamom pods
1 dried hibiscus flower
1/2 tsp rose hips
Spiced Up Love Tea
4 tsp fennel seeds
1 cinnamon stick
1-4 tsp ginger (depending on your ginger preference/tolerance)
4 tsp crushed cardamom pods
1 tsp freshly ground peppercorns
1/2 -1 tsp cloves
1/2 -1 tsp nutmeg
1 star anise pod
Smooth Operator
4 tsp damiana
2 tsp licorice root
2 tsp rose petals
1 dried hibiscus flower
1 tsp rose hips
1/2 tsp ginger or cinnamon chips
Infused Wine - Use a quart-size mason jar with 8-9 tbsp of herbs and a standard bottle of wine (750ml). To make herb-infused wine, add the herbs to the mason jar, filling it about 2-3 inches high, then cover it with your preferred wine. Close the jar, label it, and let it sit for a few days to weeks. Shake the jar occasionally to ensure the wine reaches all herb surfaces. When ready, strain off the herbs and rebottle the wine. Store it in dark glass bottles in a cool, dry place, with a shelf life of at least 6 months, potentially up to several years.
Tantalizing Blend Ideas to Try for Valentine's Day
Red Chocolate
4 Tbsp cacao nibs
3-4 Tbsp rose petals
1/2 Tbsp cayenne
Red wine of your preference
Red Love
4 Tbsp damiana
1 Tbsp lavender
1-2 Tbsp rose petals
Red wine of your preference
Woodland White
4 Tbsp lemon balm
1 Tbsp lavender
1-2 Tbsp wood betony
White wine of your preference
These blends promise to add a delightful herbal twist to your Valentine's Day, whether you're enjoying a cozy tea or sharing a glass of infused wine with your loved one. Feel free to adjust the measurements based on your taste preferences!
Understanding that the heart of Valentine's Day lies in authentic gestures, not extravagant gifts, has been a helpful lesson in our marriage. I hope these herbal ideas have inspired you to bring a bit of spice and whimsy into your gift-giving. Remember, it's not just about the flavors and aromas; it's about creating moments that resonate with the heart. This Valentine's, let the simple joy of sharing love, laughter, and tasty treats create memories that continue to enrich your relationship. Cheers to herbs, spices, and the timeless magic of love.
Comments