Elinor Rowlands writes about rituals for your senses when you’re autistic (or if you experience heightened sensitivity.)

In the second of the series we’ll be exploring Taste.

Brushing your teeth

You probably shouldn’t be eating most hygiene products, but toothpaste can be an issue. The taste of the water in the bathroom tap might cause a problem too.

Solutions:

Start with dry brushing on your teeth.
Then use a water pik and fill it with salt and water to clean the inside of your mouth.
Use coconut oil to wash out your mouth.

Immune Boosting Brews

An organic, caffeine-free, fruity, zesty and slightly sweet infusion that is loaded with healthy ingredients, vitamins and minerals all designed to refresh, invigorate and boost when your body needs it most.

500 grams water
1 pinch cayenne pepper.
1/4 tsp tumeric powder.
1/2 freshly squeezed lemon juice.
1 clove garlic.
3 cm piece fresh ginger.
2 teaspoons Raw Honey (if you don’t have raw honey, use manuka)

In a blender, pour the water, cayenne pepper, tumeric powder, lemon juice and honey. Blend or use an egg whisk and whisk up all the ingredients until frothy. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and turn the heat up add the garlic, ginger and leave it to brew for up to an hour.

An alcoholic version of this brew is also possible by simply adding whiskey or your favourite tipple. You can leave this Immune boosting brew to stir for up to 5 hours but if you want a less strong concotion then leaving it for an hour or less is best.

You can serve this brew hot or cold. If you have a sore throat, it is best to serve this warm.

Herbal Honey for Respiratory ailments

Herbal honey that is good for respiratory problems and sore throats is easy to make and can be left in the refrigerator. You can use it in brews, drinks, soups, juices, on bread or in a bowl of hot water to breathe in steam.

Ingredients:

Finely chopped fresh sage leaf, thyme leaf, mullein leaf, a teaspoon of lavender and grated turmeric root in a jar.

Fill the jar to 1/4 - 1/2 full of herbs and then pour over raw honey. Mix it up.

Use fresh or dried herbs. Dry herbs last longer so if you are using fresh herbs, keep it in the fridge once made.

Leave to infuse 1-3 weeks then it can be strained and used by the spoon full or put into hot water or added to herbal teas.

You can use any herb you wish but for respiratory problems and sore throats herbs such as sage, thyme, mullien, marshmallow leaf, plantain (broadleaf and ribwort), peppermint, bee balm, ginger, echinacea, liquorice, cinnamon and turmeric.

Depending on your taste buds you can use just one herb or a combination. You can also add onion and garlic, organic lemon or orange rind if you fancy. The immune boosting ingredients above can also be added to this Herbal Honey for a truly healing, nourishing and soothing for the throat and lungs blend.

More to be added.

Ritual and Magic

Rituals for Taste when you’re autistic