A few rosemary sprigs, a handful of whole cloves and a small pot of water on the stove: Spanish and Argentine news sites have been repeating this simple ritual for months. It costs almost nothing, and Clemson University’s extension service lists both ingredients in its winter simmer pots. Here’s what it really does, and what it doesn’t.
In short
- Simmer a few sprigs of rosemary and several whole cloves in a pot of water.
- Its main use is to scent the house, after cooking or before guests arrive.
- Fill the pot halfway to two-thirds, keep the heat low and top up the water.
- It doesn’t disinfect the air or remove the source of a bad smell.
- Never leave the pot unattended.
What it’s for
The tip has circulated widely in Spanish, notably in El Economista, and the English edition of El Cronista sums up its real purpose: boiling rosemary and cloves is “a simple home remedy for adding a pleasant aroma to indoor spaces.” The newspaper suggests it after cooking strong-smelling foods, before guests arrive, or simply as an occasional home scent.
The scent comes from the plants themselves. El Cronista explains that cloves contain eugenol, the compound behind their warm, spicy smell, while rosemary contains cineole, camphor and pinene compounds, which give it its fresh, resinous note. Heat releases these aromatic compounds into the steam, and the steam carries them through the room.
How to make it
Clemson Extension gives the method for any simmer pot:
- Fill a pot one-half to two-thirds with water and add the rosemary sprigs and cloves.
- Bring it to a gentle simmer, then “reduce the heat to low and let it steam.”
- Top up with fresh water to keep the ingredients submerged. One pot can last a few hours.
- Replace the ingredients after a few refills, once the scent fades and they turn mushy.
Clemson also advises avoiding reactive metals like aluminum, which “can affect the fragrance and quality of your blend.” A stainless steel saucepan, a glass pot or an enameled Dutch oven works best.
Make it your own
Rosemary and cloves are a base, not a rule. In its winter list, Clemson adds cranberries, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, star anise, pine sprigs and bay leaves. A strip of orange peel brightens the blend, and a cinnamon stick makes it warmer.
The limit
This is a home scent, not a cleaner or a remedy. El Cronista writes that “laboratory findings do not establish that boiling these ingredients will disinfect indoor air,” and that there is “insufficient evidence” of any specific medical benefit. The smell also fades once the heat is off, and the newspaper warns that the mixture “should not be used to mask persistent odors caused by mold, dampness, sewage or inadequate ventilation.” Safety comes first: Clemson says to “never leave it unattended,” and El Cronista adds that hot water and steam can cause burns, so the pot should stay out of reach of children and pets.
Looking for other blends? Try orange peels with cinnamon or lemon peels with ginger. And for a bathroom that smells musty, here’s what a glass of salt in the bathroom is for.
A pot, a few sprigs and low heat. That’s the trick.
