WARM AND COMFORTING

top left: Placing a hot dish on this clove-filled cushion releases the tantalizing scent of the spice.
bottom left: Cloves are an antiseptic and can have a mild anaesthetic effect; traditionally the oil was used to relieve toothache.
top right: Elegant and richly coloured quills of cinnamon are used in cooking around the world.
bottom right: For a traditional fragrant pomander, stud an orange with cloves, then toss in orris root and ground cinnamon and hang.

In winter, there is nothing quite like rich, pungent and spicy aromas to bring warmth and vitality into our homes and to create a mellow and inviting ambience. Packed into the bark, roots, seeds, flowers and even the stamens of some plants is an explosion of spicy fragrance and flavour that has been used in cooking since ancient times, as well as for scenting and healing.

The warm, spicy smell of nutmeg has a soft and evocative effect and is said to stimulate dreams, while the penetratingly hot and sweet fragrance of cloves aids the recollection of long-forgotten memories. If you enjoy sitting at the fireside and reminiscing with friends, either of these aromas will help create the right mood.

On a practical level, cloves are a powerful antiseptic and give good protection against winter illnesses. The oil is valued for its ability to help clear chesty coughs and blocked sinuses. To ward off infections, vaporize a few drops in a burner.

Cinnamon is also useful for strengthening the immune system and protecting against colds and flu. This exotic spice has a hot, sharp and slightly sweet aroma. It helps to relieve aches and chills felt in the early stages of a cold, and is a good antidote for stomach upsets. Highly prized for its culinary and medicinal uses, cinnamon is among the oldest and most sought-after spices known: at one time, it was more valuable than gold.

Both cinnamon and cloves blend well with orange to make a wonderful winter fragrance. For Christmas parties, make an aromatic mulled wine punch, using red wine and a little added sugar with slices of orange, some cinnamon sticks and a few clove buds.