Is there any more enticing scent than the smell of cinnamon at Christmas time?
Why not skip the chemically-laden commercial fragrances and create a natural simmering potpourri!
The maker of Scentsicles, a popular Christmas-scented product, lists one ingredient only: pure fragrance oil. The unfortunate truth, however, is that pure fragrance oil is only the tip of the chemical iceberg. Due to nebulous regulations, companies are not required to disclose the specific chemicals used their formulations. With more than 5,000 chemicals in the fragrance industry, it’s impossible to know which ones you’ll find in this burst of cinnamon fragrance. One scented product can contain as many as 600 chemical ingredients.
Even the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has acknowledged the health risks associated with the fragrance industry. They have forbidden all scented and fragrance products in their offices since 2009. According to their fragrance-free policy,
“Scented or fragranced products are prohibited at all times in all interior space owned, rented, or leased by CDC. This includes the use of:
• Incense, candles, or reed diffusers
• Fragrance-emitting devices of any kind
• Wall-mounted devices, similar to fragrance-emitting devices, that operate automatically or by pushing a button to dispense deodorizers or disinfectants
• Potpourri
• Plug-in or spray air fresheners
• Urinal or toilet blocks
• Other fragranced deodorizer/re-odorizer products”
If a fragrance-free environment is important to the CDC, why not follow their lead and do the same in our homes and offices?
Thankfully, there are lots of ways to incorporate the smell of cinnamon into your holidays. Try this simple potpourri blend and place it in a small crock pot near the tree, or simmer it right on your stove.
Enjoy this inviting blend of spices and fruit at Christmas or any time of year!
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 orange sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 1/2 c. whole cloves
- 6 cinnamon sticks
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Combine in saucepan or small crockpot.
- Simmer on low setting.
- Refill water as needed.
- Enjoy!
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I love the real smell of Christmas. The potpourri looks like it smells great.
Thanks for reminding everyone that those bottled Christmas smells are NOT good.
Thanks Stephanie!