It’s not surprising to indulge in sweets during the holiday season. Especially when the kids from the neighborhood knock on your door for trick or treating. 

I recently attended a Diwali festival where we celebrated community, love, family, and spiritual triumph. People were dressed up in honor of the holiday and the chance to make memories with loved ones.

 

And just like Diwali, Halloween is celebrated with loved ones in fun and exciting ways. The stores are flooded with spooky decorations. Children dawn their colorful costumes for an evening of trick-or-treating with their parents. Friends gather together and watch horror movies. (Not sure I know why but watching with friends just makes the experience 10 times better. )

 

 

Halloween also signifies that the fall season is flourishing. The transition from summer to winter happens, and the cold air makes us want to stay in the comfort of our homes. We spend more time indoors curled up in bed. We exercise less. And you can certainly expect to indulge in lots of sweets and satisfying foods. 

Despite the spookiness, cavities, and experiences, we can still use the magic of celebrating Halloween in the community to nourish our holistic health and well-being. Like experimenting with Ayurvedic eating and holiday-inspired essential oil blends. For a spooky time that eases your body and mind!

You can start by replacing overly refined sweet drinks with the Ayurvedic Pumpkin Spiced Cider recipe below. It’s sure to be a hit with family and guests alike. What makes it great is that you can make small adjustments to accommodate people with different Doshic health imbalances in their bodies.

We all know that excessive sugar intake causes lethargy and temporary high energy levels (followed by awful crashes.) Excessive sugar consumption leads to the accumulation of toxins (known as ama in Ayurvedic medicine). And this weakens the body’s immunity (including our organs - pancreas and liver). It can cause weight gain, dullness in the mind (foggy, cloudy brain), and depleted energy. As it accumulates, it can begin to aggravate our Dosha constitution (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and create imbalances such as what I mentioned above. That’s why we must be mindful of our diet and lifestyle in order to maintain the equilibrium of the mind and body.

Halloween presents a difficult challenge because the store aisles are conveniently stocked with refined sugars this time of year. It might feel like an impossible task, but with some small Ayurvedic adjustments, we can craft equally fun Halloween traditions that simultaneously protect our well-being.

Nothing sounds better than guilt-free fun, am I right?

Well, it starts with the basics. In Ayurveda, the sweet sensation is regarded as one of the 6 essential tastes (others being salty, sour, pungent, bitter, and astringent). In Ayurveda, we are encouraged to eat sweets in moderation because of their positive effects on our state of mind and emotions (happiness, satisfaction, contentment, calmness, cheerfulness, love, vigor, relief of hunger, and thirst). Especially if you are an individual expressing imbalanced symptoms of the dry, cold, mobile Vata dosha. 

However, sweet in Ayurveda does not refer to refined sugars found in candies, sodas, and chocolates. Instead, it recommends consuming honey or maple syrup, dates, fruits, and other natural sugars (jaggery, coconut sugar, and raw cane sugar) to add some natural sweetness to your meals while also preventing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha disorders.

Here’s an idea. If the desire for sugar is uncontrollable, there is an herb called Gymnema Sylvestre (gurmar translates to “destroyer of sugar) that can save those cravings. It keeps Vata persons balanced and helps suppress sugar cravings.

Gurmarin, a compound found in the leaf extraction of gurmar, is responsible for changing the taste buds from sweet to bitter. Thus, it’s beneficial to consume this before eating sweets. Combined with gymnemic acids, the natural insulin production of the pancreas increases. This helps the body regulate blood sugar intrinsically, minimize sugar cravings, and manage weight. (I highly recommend that you consult your physician before adding any herbs into your diet as these statements do not constitute medical advice. It is also a good idea to consult with an Ayurvedic health counselor as well to determine if any herbs would be beneficial for imbalances you may be experiencing.)

So knowing that healthier ingredient options are available, here’s how to make your Halloween both memorable and health-conscious.

This Ayurvedic-inspired Pumpkin-Spiced Cider is great for serving guests. It can be calming for a Vata constitution as is. Or if we exclude the cinnamon sticks and orange peel, this can help pacify the Pitta Dosha. However, excessive consumption of cider can aggravate Kapha types, so add 2 cups of water while cooking to avoid aggravating Kapha dosha persons.

Still unsure of your Dosha constitution? Find out your Dosha by clicking here. 

Ingredients:

Golden Milk Powder 

• 4 Tbsp. ground turmeric
• 2 tsp ground ginger (add more to taste)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon (add more to taste)
• 1 tsp ground black pepper (add more to taste)

Cider

• Natural apple cider or apple juice (6 cups) 
• Orange Peel (from one orange)
• Lemon (peel from one lemon)
• Cinnamon Sticks (4 pcs)

Pumpkin Syrup

• Pumpkin puree (1 cup)
• Maple syrup (¼ cup)
• Water (½ cup)
• Milk Powder (1 Tbsp.)

Directions

• Combine the pumpkin puree, maple syrup, water, and golden milk powder in a saucepan.
• Bring the water to a boil. When the liquid begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and continue to whisk frequently for 10 minutes.
• While the pumpkin syrup is simmering, combine the cider ingredients in your crockpot.
• Transfer the pumpkin syrup to the slow cooker once done cooking. Stir to mix all the ingredients.
• Allot one hour to cook the ingredients while covering the pot.
• Serve in cups with apple slices, orange slices, and cinnamon sticks as toppings. Sprinkle with golden milk powder on top.

Essential Oils for Halloween

Liven your celebration of Halloween with the help of essential oils. Brew up a few of these essential oil recipes to make your family’s Halloween exciting and fun!

Create a welcoming atmosphere by diffusing the aroma of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg essential oils.

If you want a more festive aroma, add a bit of orange essential oil. This zesty aroma is ideal for Halloween parties or simply enjoying the fall season.

Create a spooky atmosphere by diffusing eucalyptus, peppermint, or tea tree oil.

However, if you want a relaxed atmosphere, these essential oils are ideal for reducing anxiety.

• Patchouli 
• Lavender
• Clary Sage

Interested in more oil blends to use to set the ambiance for the Halloween season?

Make this magical concoction to tantalize your senses.

• Blood Orange (3 drops)
• Frankincense (2 drops)
• Cinnamon (2 drops)

Use this spicy blend of oils to craft the perfect natural fall fragrance. You can substitute cassia with cinnamon or clove oil to create that happy Halloween atmosphere.

• Orange (3 drops)
• Cassia (2 drops)
• Ginger (2 drops)

Take it up a notch!

You can really impress the ghosts and ghouls this All Hallows Eve. Place an essential oil diffuser behind your jack-o’-lantern to create an eerie essential oil fog effect that smells of fall. Or blend your oils into some natural, vegan candle wax, and make some truly spooky Halloween candles to go with your pumpkins.