Spiced Apple Digestive Elixir | Autumn Herbal Support for Digestion

TL;DR 

• A spiced apple elixir supports digestion during seasonal change
• Warming herbs like ginger and cinnamon help reduce bloating
• Best taken after meals or in the afternoon
• Simple to make at home with kitchen ingredients
• A gentle way to support gut comfort in Autumn

You might notice it quietly…
Meals sitting heavier, a little more bloating, or that sluggish feeling creeping in as the weather cools.

As we move into Autumn, digestion naturally begins to slow. What once felt easy can suddenly feel uncomfortable- leaving you feeling off, heavy, or out of rhythm with your body.

Rather than pushing through, this is a time to gently support and warm the digestive system.

This simple spiced apple elixir offers a nourishing way to do just that.

Why Digestion Changes in Autumn 

Seasonal shifts can influence digestion through changes in:

• Temperature and circulation
• Food choices (heavier, more cooked meals)
• Nervous system state

In traditional Western herbal medicine, warming herbs are often used to:

• Support digestive secretions
• Improve circulation to the gut
• Reduce gas and bloating

If symptoms are persistent, severe, or worsening, it’s important to seek personalised care to rule out underlying causes.

If your digestion has been feeling off for a while, you may benefit from a full health consult for a deeper dive on gut health support.

The Recipe: Spiced Apple Digestive Elixir 

Ingredients

• 2 cups cloudy apple juice or fresh apple cider
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 cloves
• 2–3 slices fresh ginger
• Optional: strip of orange peel

Method

1. Add all ingredients to a small pot
2. Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes
3. Strain and serve warm

How to Use 

• Drink 1 cup after meals or mid-afternoon
• Use 3–5 times per week during Autumn
• Best enjoyed warm

Herbal Benefits

• Ginger - supports digestion and reduces bloating
• Cinnamon - warming, improves circulation
• Clove - traditionally used for gas and digestive discomfort
• Apple - gently nourishing and soothing

Ritual & Lifestyle Integration 

This is more than a drink.

It’s a pause point- a moment to slow down, warm your body, and reconnect with your rhythm as the season shifts.

Try sipping this in the late afternoon as the light softens.

For more on Autumn wellbeing, read our blog on 'Preparing for Autumn: A Herbal Guide for Immunity and Grounding'

Safety Note

This recipe is intended for general wellness support.
If you are pregnant, on medication, or managing a health condition, seek personalised advice before use.

Support and guidance is always available

If your digestion has been feeling out of balance as the seasons change, you don’t have to navigate it alone.

Book a consultation to receive a personalised herbal plan tailored to your body and your season.

About the Author

Michelle Ringin is a qualified Western Medicinal Herbalist and Nutritionist based in Lithgow, NSW. She specialises in women’s health, fatigue, digestion, and holistic wellbeing for both people and their pets. Her work blends traditional herbal wisdom with practical, personalised care.

References

• Bone, K., & Mills, S. (2013). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy
• Hoffmann, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism
• Chevallier, A. (2016). Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine

Exhausted, overwhelmed, and running on empty? At Inner Peace Holistic Herbal Therapy, we offer compassionate, evidence-informed herbal care and practical digestive practices for women who've been pushing through for far too long. You're not alone - and good gut health is the pinnacle to good health.

Inner Peace Holistic Herbal Therapy
Healing, Naturally. Together.
Located Lithgow | 0490 335 602 | info@innerpeacehealth.com.au
NHAA Member 155639 | ABN: 30 8

Here is a delicious warming and nourishing bone broth to help get you through the long winter months! Perfect for our canine companions as well!

Winter Wellness Herbal Bone Broth

A deeply nourishing base for soups, sipping, and winter rituals.

Ingredients:

Bone base:

• 1–2kg organic beef, lamb, or chicken bones (marrow, knuckle, neck, wings, or feet are great)

• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (helps extract minerals from the bones)

• Water to cover (approx. 3–4L)

Vegetables (roughly chopped):

• 2 carrots

• 2 celery stalks

• 1 onion

• 3 garlic cloves

Herbs & spices:

• 2 slices fresh ginger

• 1 tsp whole peppercorns

• 1–2 bay leaves

• 1–2 tsp sea salt (optional)

Optional nourishing additions:

• Blend of medicinal mushrooms

• 2 tbsp dried nettle leaf (iron, minerals)

• 1 tbsp astragalus root (immune support)

• 1 tsp turmeric or a few slices of fresh

• A sprig of rosemary or thyme

Instructions:

1. Roast bones (optional but flavourful):
   Place bones in a roasting pan at 180°C (350°F) for 30–40 minutes until browned.

2. Combine all ingredients in a large stockpot or slow cooker. Cover with cold water and bring to a gentle boil.

3. Skim the foam off the top, then reduce heat to a very low simmer.

4. Simmer low and slow for:

   • Chicken: 12–24 hours

   • Beef/Lamb: 24–48 hours
     (Or 8 hours in a pressure cooker if you're short on time.)

5. Strain well. Discard solids or compost them. Store broth in glass jars in the fridge (up to 5 days) or freeze in portions for up to 3 months.

How to Use:

• Sip warm with a pinch of salt and squeeze of lemon

• Use as a base for soups, stews, and risottos

• Freeze into ice cube trays for quick use in meals

• Blend with a spoon of miso paste for a probiotic-rich winter elixir

Herbal Add-Ons by Need:

• For immune health: astragalus, garlic, thyme, reishi

• For gut repair: slippery elm (added after cooking), chamomile tea added at serving

• For energy & blood building: nettle, parsley, dandelion root

To read our blog on Winter Wellness with Herbs, Nutrition and Rituals pop over here!

Here is a super simple immune supportive tea blend that you can blend in bulk and keep on hand throughout Winter! Enjoy!

Winter Wellness Tea Blend

Herbal Tea for Immune Support & Warmth

• 2 parts Elderberry

• 1 part Ginger root

• 1 part Licorice root

• 1 part Thyme

• ½ part Cinnamon chips
  Infuse 1–2 tsp per cup, steep 10–15 minutes, strain, and sip throughout the day.

Optional: add a spoon of raw honey and a squeeze of lemon for extra support.

Pop over here to read our blog on Winter Wellness with Herbs, Nutrition and Rituals

DIY Winter Immune Elixir

A soothing, immune-supportive syrup to keep on hand during the colder months

Purpose:
To support the immune system at the first signs of illness, calm inflammation, and ease symptoms like sore throats and swollen glands. This blend brings together warming, antimicrobial, and immune-stimulating herbs—perfect for the whole family (with a few tweaks for kids and pets).

Ingredients:

• 30g dried Echinacea root (or 45g fresh if available)
• 20g dried Elderberries
• 10g dried Ginger root (sliced or chopped)
• 1 stick of Cinnamon
• Zest of ½ a lemon (organic if possible)
• 500ml water
• 200ml raw honey (or glycerine for alcohol-free or pet-friendly versions)
• Optional: splash of brandy (as a preservative and warming tonic)

Method:

1. Add the Echinacea, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and lemon zest to a small saucepan with the water.
2. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer gently (covered) for 30–40 minutes until reduced by about half.
3. Strain the liquid while warm using a fine mesh strainer or muslin cloth.
4. While still warm—but not hot—stir in the honey (or glycerine).
5. If using brandy, add 1–2 tablespoons to help preserve.
6. Bottle in a sterilised jar or amber glass bottle and store in the fridge for up to 6 weeks.

Dosage (Adults):

• 1 teaspoon 2–3 times a day at the first signs of illness
• Can also be used daily for a few days following exposure to bugs (e.g. after travel or being around unwell people)

For children: halve the dose.

Ritual Tip:
Take this elixir with intention—pause, breathe in the warmth, and imagine your immune system awakening with the strength of the purple coneflower. A gentle way to honour the shift of season and the body’s wisdom.

Read the blog on Echinacea here

Hawthorn Heart Elixir Recipe

A sweet, strong tonic for emotional and physical heart support.

Ingredients:

• 1 part dried Hawthorn berries

• 1 part dried Hawthorn leaves and flowers (if available)

• ½ part dried Rose petals (for added heart-opening energy and floral notes)

• ½ part Cinnamon chips or 1–2 small sticks (warming, circulatory)

• Raw local honey to taste

• Brandy or vodka (at least 40% alcohol)

Optional Additions:

• A pinch of dried Motherwort (for deep emotional support)

• A splash of Vanilla extract (for sweetness and soul warmth)

• A few dried Hibiscus petals (for a tart tang and added colour)

Instructions:

1. Fill a jar about halfway with your dried herbs (berries, leaves/flowers, rose, cinnamon). You can adjust ratios to your liking—this is folk herbalism, not pharmacy!

2. Cover the herbs with equal parts brandy and raw honey. (If you prefer a sweeter elixir, use more honey. For a sharper tincture-like feel, use more alcohol.)

3. Stir well, lid tightly, and label with the date and ingredients.

4. Store in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks, shaking gently every few days and whispering a little love into the jar if you’re that kind of herbalist.

5. When ready, strain through muslin or cheesecloth and bottle your elixir in amber glass.

How to Use:

• Take 1 dropperful (about 1ml) 1–3 times daily during times of stress, emotional healing, or cardiovascular support.

• Add to tea, under the tongue, or even in warm water with lemon as a morning ritual.

Read the blog on Hawthorn here 

Are you feeling the need for gentle support and guidance to improve your wellbeing? Book a full health assessment to start your wellbeing journey, with Clinical Herbalist Michelle Ringin.