February is the month in which winter casts the last remnants of its long shadow and we begin to feel nostalgic for the beautiful season. This is why it is the perfect month to surround yourself with the sparkling and lively aroma of potpourri.
Bowls of good mood
The term potpourri derives from the French rotten vase, which refers to the process of drying flowers. It is, therefore, a bowl, a wooden box, a cloth bag, or a jar that contains a composition of dried flower leaves and petals mixed with essential oils.
Potpourri’s main purpose is to scent the house, especially in the cold season, to make it more welcoming and ward off the melancholic sadness typical of this period. For this reason, potpourri can be defined as bowls of good mood, which color the environment with fresh vitality and recall the heat of summer.
There are many flowers perfect for creating compositions, many of which have therapeutic properties that can help promote serenity, balance, and calm. The secret lies in balancing the fragrances by focusing on the concept of harmony, so that the potpourri does not take on too acidic or too nauseating notes. Furthermore, it is a good idea to combine olfactory pleasure with visual pleasure, selecting notes of colors that go well with each other or arranging a few sprigs for enrichment.
Potpourri to try
For beginners, there are already created potpourri compositions on the market, which make the task easier, or you can rely on specialized shops that will follow your needs and tastes. But, for those who choose to try with their hands, here are some classic combinations that could be right for you.
Winter joy: orange, cloves, and star anise
These three elements combine very well with each other. Star anise provides the base on which the enveloping aroma of orange and the sparkling scent of cloves rest. Perfect for lovers of winter and in particular the Christmas period. An excellent potpourri to stimulate lightness and make the home a true nest of comfort, especially if you add a few drops of bergamot essential oil.
The orange is also a symbol of love and fertility which, combined with star anise, a symbol of good luck and protection against evil, balance the darker symbolism of cloves (often associated with the nails of the crucifixion).
Lake of calm: cedar, juniper and lavender
This mix is ​​ideal for a home that smells of centuries-old forests and meadows at sunset. The smell of cedar retains delicate balsamic notes, which go well with the slightly pungent and peppery aroma of juniper; all surrounded by the calming scent of lavender. The perfect mix to find inner peace and end a stressful day in the best possible way. You can think of adding a few drops of sage oil to make the scent more full-bodied.
Cedar symbolizes eternal life, strengthened by juniper, a symbol of purification and longevity, consolidated by lavender, a symbol of serenity and virtue.
The freshness of the soul: lemon, mint, and artemisia
For a home that always smells clean, this is an ideal potpourri for those people oriented towards emotional regeneration. A fresh and active blend thanks to lemon and mint, with a pinch of the sweet herbaceous notes of artemisia essential oil.
It is a composition that will always keep your soul fresh and young, curious and looking for adventures. Lemon will always make you feel safe, mint will stimulate your inner wisdom and mugwort will heal the doubts of your spirit.
Connect to nature
Living in the city and suffering the grayness of buildings, smog, and sidewalks, it is easy to forget that there is more out there, and that we are still animals, that we need contact with the wild side of ourselves. Potpourri can be excellent as a first step to bond with nature, to feel it close even when the walls of an uncomfortable apartment close in on us.
Sometimes it’s good to remember that you can live, not just survive. In this, flowers and twigs can prove to be excellent helpers!
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