I adore fall — it’s my favorite season hands down. Each year I look forward to cooler weather, and that first cloudy or rainy day of the season brings a smile to my face. This time of year has become synonymous with pumpkin. When I think about autumn, I often imagine walking into a bakery or coffee shop and smelling sweet pumpkin goodies and aromatic spices. There’s nothing like these scents to remind me of nostalgic baking days with my family and friends. Rather than baking pumpkin bread or some savory treats, I’ve compiled a few of my favorite pumpkin-inspired recipes and blends from previous Willow and Sage issues. Pumpkin packs powerful antioxidants, zinc, and vitamins, and I hope you enjoy bringing a bit of this seasonal superpower into your home.

5 Pumpkin-Inspired Fall Recipes:

1. Pumpkin Pie Diffuser Blend

• 1 drop clove essential oil
• 1 drop nutmeg essential oil
• 5 drops cinnamon essential oil

2. Pumpkin Face Mask

You Will Need:

• ¼ cup fresh pumpkin meat
• 1 tsp. pumpkin seed oil
• a splash of milk/cream

To Make:

Blend ingredients in a food processor. Apply the mixture to your face and leave on for 20 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

3. Pumpkin Hair Mask

You Will Need:

• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup natural plain yogurt
• 2 T. honey

To Make:

Mix ingredients together. Apply mask to your hair, from the roots to the tips. Put on a shower cap and leave on for about 30 minutes. Rinse well with lukewarm water.

4. Pumpkin Pedicure

You Will Need:

• ½ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp. honey

To Make:

Mix ingredients together. Apply the mixture to your feet and calves. Wrap your feet in plastic bags. Leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

5. Pumpkin Sugar Scrub

You Will Need:

• 1½ cups raw sugar
• ¼ cup pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• Dash of nutmeg
• ¼ cup coconut oil, melted
• ½ tsp. vanilla extract
• Jars w/ airtight lids

To Make:

Combine the raw sugar and pumpkin puree. Add the ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour in the melted coconut oil and vanilla extract, and stir until a scrub-like consistency forms. Store scrub in two small jars with airtight lids.

Danielle Williams is the assistant senior managing editor for Stampington & Company. She lives in Costa Mesa, California, with her husband, Casey, and opinionated cat, Holly Golightly.