Pumpkin Spice- Its Benefits for the Womb

'Tis the fall season, and every house in the town has pumpkin spice adorned on its spice shelf. The smell of chai, pumpkin pie, and cider fills the air, making every space you enter feel warm and homey. Oh, autumn, a season if not loved for its weather, loved for its food.

Now, why are we talking about the flavors of fall, one might ask? Well, my friend, that is because the flavors of fall, the time when spice shelves and cupboards are filled, ready to be brewed in soups and potions, these flavors are amazing to help reduce menstrual cramps, nausea, help increase circulation, and are packed with anti-inflammatories.

Herbs like Ground ginger, Ground cinnamon, Black pepper, Cardamom, Cloves, and Nutmeg each play their role to help out baked goods and our baking goods… if ya know what I mean.

Here's the breakdown:

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• The ultimate warming root. Ginger stimulates circulation, helping to ease uterine stagnation that causes cramping and clotting. It soothes nausea, reduces inflammation, and supports healthy digestion - a major plus when your gut and hormones are talking in circles. Think of it as a cozy internal hug for your reproductive system.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

• Sweet, spicy, and steadying, cinnamon helps stabilize blood sugar (a key player in hormone balance) and encourages smooth blood flow to ease menstrual pain. Its warming energy supports the body when estrogen dips, helping to keep mood and metabolism steady. Plus, it makes everything taste like a warm blanket.

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)

• This fiery little berry enhances the absorption of other herbs and nutrients, making it a quiet powerhouse. It improves circulation, stokes digestive fire, and moves stagnation, perfect for that heavy, sluggish feeling before or during menstruation. A pinch truly goes a long way.

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

• Gentle yet powerful, cardamom brings warmth without being overly fiery. It supports digestion, reduces bloating, and helps calm the nervous system. Its sweet aroma and taste uplift the spirit, making it a wonderful heart and mood tonic during PMS or the luteal phase.

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)

• Deeply warming and antiseptic, cloves help reduce inflammation and ease muscle tension, including uterine cramps. Their numbing quality makes them a natural pain reliever, and energetically, they bring a sense of grounding and strength when you feel depleted or scattered.

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

• Soft, sensual, and comforting, nutmeg supports relaxation and better sleep. It gently stimulates digestion and circulation while helping the body wind down. In small doses, it can help ease anxiety and soothe frayed nerves during hormonal fluctuations. A spice of balance and restoration.

So we know what spices will help us, now what? There are countless ways we can make a delicious drink with these herbs, but not all will have the same beneficial effects on the body. For example, making a delicious pumpkin spice chai with whole milk sounds divine; however, saturated fats in dairy can trigger inflammation, which may worsen menstrual pain. The same goes for if you were to make a pumpkin spice tea, but you're only using 1/2 tsp for an 8-oz cup, and you brew it uncovered. Not only is the marc:menstrum (herb: water) ratio off, but by steeping tea uncovered, all of the medicinal properties escape through the steam. Turning this medicinal tea into a tissane (a yummy cup of water with no medicinal effect).

Let's remedy that, shall we? To make a delicious warm pumpkin latte, you need three things: coconut milk, honey, and our spices. Organic coconut milk still offers a smooth, creamy texture while containing potassium, which is linked to reduced muscle cramps, and has anti-inflammatory properties due to lauric acid. Now, in terms of how many herbs to add, for every 8oz of coconut milk, add 1tsp of our pumpkin spice. Steam your coconut milk over the stove and add your herbs directly into the pot. Cover and bring to a low simmer for about 3 minutes, then transfer to a mug of your choosing, add a little honey or maple syrup for sweetness, and cover the cup with a plate for an additional 10 minutes. Don’t let any of that wonderful medicine escape with the steam!

Now all that's left to do is curl up with a rice bag or a heating pad, a good book, and your pumpkin spice latte to help your cramps melt away.