One of my favorite mulled wines for fall to winter doesn’t necessarily contain apple, if you can believe that. Instead, I turn to two herbs that are great for protecting boundaries and giving me strength for body, mind, and spirit.
Elder: Strengthen and protect
Elderberry is the main one in this particular mulled wine. Taken daily, elderberry is known for helping prevent a variety of infectious diseases, including flu and the common cold. Elderberries are packed with vitamin C, which helps rebuild cells. It has also been shown to help the body in general repair and build strong cell walls, strengthening the boundaries that protect against full-on invasion of pathogens. That’s one way elderberries help protect boundaries.
Elder has also long been a plant associated with the gateway between the worlds. The Elder Mother provides the gateway between the Faerie Lands and our own waking world. Our ancestors considered Elder a respected and sacred ally for keeping their families safe and promoting harmony between humanity and the other peoples of this realm and beyond.
Belief in the Fae aside, I have found elderberry and elderflower to be a wonderfully relaxing companion to calm the mind during turbulent times. From my own experience, a little elderberry tea can soothe my aching heart during times of loss and grief. Elder helps my mind and soul adapt to the new reality I must face, gently smoothing my way through the threshold between what was and what will be. Even if the past few seasons haven’t been painful for you, the time as we enter fall and winter is a time of letting go of the harvests, joys, and efforts of the past year. Fall and winter ask us all to let go, make room for rest and heal. Elder is a good partner in that process.
Cinnamon: Warm and tap into joy
Cinnamon is secondary in this particular mulled wine. Cinnamon is actually the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree. As such, it serves as an inner layer of protection for the heart of the tree, so to speak. It contains many fiery and slimy components, making it a good substance for moving energy. In most traditions, cinnamon is seen as a hot, moist spice. It warms without excessive drying. Cinnamon supports the body in moving nutrients to where they are needed and provides the energy boost needed to build strong tissues. When you combine cinnamon with elderberries, you’re actually giving your body’s construction crew a real bonus.
One of the beauties of cinnamon is that characteristic sweetness that makes it so easy to ingest. Unlike other spicy energy flicks, such as cayenne pepper or ginger, cinnamon is easy to take for the long term. It doesn’t taste like medicine, even though it certainly is. There’s something soothing and enlivening about a good cup of cinnamon-flavored tea. It warms the heart and makes you feel like you can really achieve what you strive for. Cinnamon has an inherently positive influence on the psyche, which may be why it is used in so many self-care and playful products, such as toothpaste and lollipops. Cinnamon is truly joy.
And that’s exactly what I need when the weather gets dark and cold. Winter and fall are wonderful times to retreat, but they are also times when getting even the minimal work that needs to be done done can be a challenge. I would love to curl up by the fire with a book and a warm blanket… but I still have to pay the rent, cook the meals, take care of the chickens, you name it! Cinnamon is a perfect ally that helps me find the energy to get the essentials done without exhausting myself. The sweet and spicy nature of cinnamon helps me find the balance I need on a cold, dreary day.
Elderberry cinnamon tea: a technique to make it easy
One of my favorite ways to make herbal infusions couldn’t be more practical. I use a slow cooker (like this one), also known as a crock pot. When the weather turns cold, I grab a small 5-quart slow cooker to brood.
To make elderberry cinnamon mulled wine, I use about 2.8 liters of water with 180 ml of dried or frozen elderberries and 6 cinnamon sticks (my cinnamon sticks are about 3 inches long). Add all ingredients to the slow cooker, plug it in and set it to low. You can gently concoct the brew at a low temperature for up to 3 days, scooping out one mug at a time and replacing the water when it runs low. I find that I can generally replace about a quart/liter before the resulting brew tastes too bland to enjoy.
If you want to get adventurous, you can use apple cider in place of water, or you can consider adding other spices or even some dried fruit to vary the flavor. If you want it sweeter, add a little honey to your mug before filling it. It’s better to add the honey just as you’re ready to drink it, to preserve the honey’s healthier properties and to allow for some variation in the sweetness of each mug. You may find that your sweet tooth softens a bit if you drink the whole jar.
More information about Elder and Cinnamon
You can read more about Elder’s medicinal and magical properties as a member of the Herbal Nerd Society or as a member of the Herbal Nerd Society Plus. Search Elder for more free and membership articles.
As a member of the Herbal Nerd Society, you can read more about the medicinal and magical properties of cinnamon. Search Cinnamon for more free and membership articles.