Want To Add A Subtle Aroma To Your Home? Reach For This Spice Cabinet Staple

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Don't overlook your spice cabinet when it comes to making your home smell good. Just think about how cooking adds glorious aromas to your home — you can use those same smells to create a subtle, purposeful fragrance throughout your home. One spice you may not have considered before is saffron. Which is unfortunate, because this spice — which turns foods bright yellow — can help bring some calm to your life when you take in its soothing aroma.

Saffron is often described as smelling a bit like honey — it is both earthy and sweet, with floral notes that add a gentle lift. It's precisely those natural, earthy aromas that make this spice perfect for easing worries, calming anxieties, and more. 

And while you can purchase ready-made saffron aromatherapy oils, you can actually use the powdered (or even threaded) saffron that's likely already in your pantry to create an aromatic background scent throughout your home that isn't too overpowering. This way, you get the benefits without the added expense — because, let's face it, saffron isn't cheap. In fact, a gram of pure saffron can cost $10 or more. Beyond saving money, this is also a great way to use your expired spices.

Using saffron from the spice cabinet for aromatherapy can be as simple as grabbing a strand or thread and holding it in your hand to inhale the scent. Additionally, there are also benefits to drinking saffron water, and by simmering a couple of strands in water on your stove, you'll release a subtle scent that will waft throughout your space — leaving it smelling smooth and delicious. 

If you're not planning on drinking any saffron water, you can also use it in a simmer pot recipe to give your house a gentle refresh. And don't worry: saffron is commonly used in perfumes, so you can rest assured it will be a scent you'll enjoy having in your home, especially if you prefer more natural fragrances.

Finally, you can also use saffron in your potpourri mixes. Whether simmered in a pot or dried in a basket, saffron can be added to pretty much any blend of your choice, and you can combine it with other cozy ingredients to add warmth and comfort to your home, such as cloves, cinnamon, and orange slices. Some people even recommend using fresh saffron flowers as well, which you can try growing in your own backyard for a cost-saving boost.