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Thursday 13 May 2021

Ten Healing Spices To Have In Your Kitchen



James Colquhoun at Food Matters writes, "that food is medicine, but this goes much further than just your main ingredients. What spices you choose to add to your dish can make a world of difference as spices have many powerful healing benefits.

With herbs and spices being the key to healing for thousands of years, which healing spices are best kept close at hand in your kitchen? Here is a list of the top ten healing spices you should have well-stocked at home!

1. Turmeric
Why it’s good for you; Turmeric can help reduce inflammation, reduce the risk of arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease. One study in healthy middle-aged volunteers showed that taking 80mg of curcumin, a component of turmeric, a day for four weeks reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.
How to eat it; Turmeric highlights teas, juices and smoothies, it is great in a healing nut milk latte, as a dip that you can put on practically anything, and how about in scrambled eggs!

2. Cumin
Why it’s good for you; Cumin is a delicious spice that can help you lose weight and increase your metabolism. It also aids in relieving congestion and indigestion.
How to eat it; You can purchase cumin as a powder, but it's nice to buy cumin seeds whole and grind them in a mortar and pestle. There’s something wonderful about smelling freshly ground cumin and knowing how much good it will do for your body when you consume it. Cumin is a staple in most curries and Indian dishes, but is also great in scrambled eggs and healing teas.

3. Cayenne
Why it’s good for you; Cayenne is yet another powerful spice that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Made from the cayenne pepper, the key ingredient in this spice, capsaicin, boasts many health benefits. Capsaicin is known to help boost the metabolism, lower blood pressure by relaxing the vessels, and even helps with osteoarthritis.
How to eat it; Though you can purchase capsaicin creams, it’s much easier to add a sprinkle of cayenne to your food to receive the benefits, and because this is such a powerful spice, it doesn’t take much! Just give this Metabolism-Igniting Pumpkin Juice a try - it only takes ¼ tsp of cayenne to make a world of difference.

4. Paprika
Why it’s good for you; Paprika is a pepper-based spice full of antioxidants that helps fight a range of diseases due largely to its ability to fight oxidative stress.
Paprika helps reduce inflammation and may be able to prevent and fight autoimmune conditions and some cancers.
How to eat it; Paprika is most popularly known as a key ingredient in Hungary’s signature dish, the goulash. It's also nice to eat paprika in healthy snacks, and this recipe for Smoked Paprika Rosemary Almonds is not only delicious but makes for a great gift!

5. Garlic
Why it’s good for you; Garlic is an antioxidant, antibiotic, and an aphrodisiac… despite the garlic breath, it can create! Garlic boosts the immune system, helps destroy free radicals and helps prevent heart disease by reducing atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, lowering cholesterol and lowering blood pressure.
How to eat it; For the greatest health benefits, after you chop or crush it, leave your garlic to sit for 5 minutes before cooking or eating to allow the health-promoting allicin to form. Garlic can be eaten raw or cooked in a variety of ways including pan-fried in a stir fry, included in your mash potato (or low carb vegetable swap), or roasted and eaten whole.

6. Black Pepper
Why it’s good for you; Not just a great addition to any meal, black pepper has great antidepressant properties as well as being an antioxidant with antimicrobial potential and gastro-protective modules. Additionally, black pepper activates free-radical scavenging and is also thought to be helpful in chemoprevention and controlling the progression of tumour growth. As if that wasn’t enough for this humble table seasoning, black pepper is also attributed to improving cognitive brain function, boosting nutrient absorption, and improving gastrointestinal functionality.
How to eat it; Black pepper is complementary to most savoury dishes, with most recipes suggesting a pinch of this healing spice to finish a dish. It can be incorporated into dips, dressings, salads, snacks, and dinners, preferring freshly ground black peppercorns.

7. Ginger
Why it’s good for you; In Ayurvedic medicine, ginger is known as a ‘natural medicine chest’ because of its time-tested digestion-friendly properties, as well as its ability to improve the absorption of essential nutrients in the body, clearing sinuses and congestion, relieving nausea, and assisting with joint pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
How to eat it; Ginger has a multitude of ways to be enjoyed, from tea to juice to baked goods, even pickled meal accompaniments, sweet treats, and in a stir fry, there’s plenty of options to get the health benefits from ginger. Some may like to drink ginger with water or in a juice perhaps a great way to start each day!

8. Cinnamon
Why it’s good for you; Sweet, delicious cinnamon is a spice you can enjoy guilt-free as it is a powerful antioxidant and can have a positive effect on your blood sugar levels, digestion, and immune system, as well as reducing blood cholesterol. When taken in strong doses, cinnamon has been known to reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
How to eat it; Cinnamon can be enjoyed with sweet and savoury dishes as well as in hot and cold beverages.

9. Cloves
Why it’s good for you; Cloves are great for curing cold-natured problems that affect the central nervous system as well as aiding digestion through increasing heat in the stomach and liver. Consuming cloves can aid in functions of the throat and speech, and strangely enough, cloves can help reduce hiccups!
How to eat it; For the hiccup cure, warm up a few cloves in a spoonful of butter or ghee and drink it. For other ailments, or to enjoy the strong flavour notes, try adding cloves to smoothies and hot chocolates.

10. Nutmeg
Why it’s good for you; Nutmeg has been used for centuries to alleviate pain, gastrointestinal disorders, heal skin wounds and infections, and it has a great calming effect. It’s also been reported as an aphrodisiac. Caution must be taken when consuming nutmeg, as too much can lead to unpleasant hallucinogenic effects.
How to eat it; You only need a little ground nutmeg as this spice is very flavoursome and its benefits can be found in just a sprinkle. Nutmeg is often used in festive baking and egg-nog drinks, but nutmeg can be used to spice up a number of food and beverages with a sprinkling on your fruits and vegetables."
The above article can be seen in full, with all relevant links here

Do you have any go-to spices for health remedies?

Dear reader, we bring a variety of articles, studies etc. plus recent news/views and recipe ideas to this blog, we hope something for everyone to read and enjoy. Please note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan

41 comments:

Rose said...

I sure did not know about too much nutmeg...actually did not have a clue about most of these. But it stood out.

William Kendall said...

Good information!

DeniseinVA said...

Always enjoy your posts like these. Very informative. Thanks Jan :)

Christine said...

A wonderful list!

J.P. Alexander said...

Conocía el valor de algunas especies en especial ajo jengibre y la canela. Que utilizo muy seguido. Te mando un beso

Martha said...

I keep every single on on hand. I am a garlic fanatic, can't get enough of the stuff. I wonder you you can eat too much of it?

Tom said...

...cinnamon's benefits I knew about!

Valerie-Jael said...

These are all spices I love and use a lot! Valerie

Elephant's Child said...

We have, and use, all of these and more.

Rajani Rehana said...

Beautiful post

Margaret D said...

Thank for the reminder on these.

Jo said...

It's like having a first aid chest in your spice cupboard.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I use all these spices, but had no idea they were all good for you. I learned a lot from this, Jan.

eileeninmd said...

I love spices, cinnamon is one of my favorites.
I do use garlic often. Thanks for sharing.
Take care, have a happy day!

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...

Muito importante estas especiarias.
Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana.

Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
Livros-Autografados

CJ Kennedy said...

Himself bought some turmeric, but I had no idea what to do with it. Thanks for the suggestion

Ygraine said...

WOW, what a fantastic and useful post!!
Healing herbs are exactly what my family and I need right now...oh thank you so much for this!😊😊

Have a super day!

Hugs xxx

DVArtist said...

The only one I am lacking right now are cloves. Great post. Have a nice day.

HappyK said...

I use all these except for the turmeric - will have to add it.
Thanks for all the info.
Like how all the spices looked on the spoons - nicely presented.

Bill said...

We have most of them.

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Cayenne, for some reason hasn't been in my spice cabinet. I'll give it a try.

Creations By Cindy said...

I most often have all these spices on hand for flavoring. So many health benefits you have listed here for us that is good to know. Thank you. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Miss Val's Creations said...

We use most of these on a regular basis. Spices are so amazing for the body. I have made tea using tumeric, ginger and honey for sinus infections. It is quite tasty and good for breaking up what is going on in the head.

carol l mckenna said...

Oh wonderful list of healing herbs ~ thanks ~ Xo

Living moment by moment,

A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Juvenal Nunes said...

Não sei se as escalou por ordem de importância. Se não, qual seria a que poria em primeiro lugar?
Abraço de amizade.
Juvenal Nunes

Laura. M said...

Buena lista y recomendacion. Las especias son buenos medicamentos ;) Uso varias.
Buen jueves. Cuidaros.
Un abrazo.

Sue said...

Ooh there's some of my favourites in there with the ginger and the nutmeg. Spices from my childhood! Take care, Sue xx

Ana Mínguez Corella said...

Hi!!! I love spices ❤️... Here in Spain we normally use Cumin and garlic... I like very much the ginger... Very good for my digestion... Very interesting post... Happy week 😊

Lowcarb team member said...

Martha said...
I keep every single on on hand. I am a garlic fanatic, can't get enough of the stuff. I wonder you you can eat too much of it?

Hello Martha
I am not medically qualified but from articles I have read it is my understanding that "when consumed in moderation, garlic is proved to have some wonderful benefits, but too much garlic can cause negative side effects. Most people should aim to consume 600 to 900 milligrams of garlic per day or roughly one half of a clove, assuming the average clove is generally close to three grams."
You may want to read more in this article here
https://www.leaf.tv/articles/signs-that-you-are-eating-too-much-garlic/

All the best Jan

Martha said...

Wonderful list! I have most of these in my kitchen.

Lowcarb team member said...

Google translations

J.P. Alexander said...
Conocía el valor de algunas especies en especial ajo jengibre y la canela. Que utilizo muy seguido. Te mando un beso

I knew the value of some species especially ginger garlic and cinnamon. Which I use very often. I'll send you a kiss.

Francisco Manuel Carrajola Oliveira said...
Muito importante estas especiarias.
Um abraço e continuação de uma boa semana

These spices are very important.
A hug and continuation of a good week.

Laura. M said...
Buena lista y recomendacion. Las especias son buenos medicamentos ;) Uso varias.
Buen jueves. Cuidaros.
Un abrazo

Good list and recommendation. Spices are good medications ;) I use several.
Good Thursday. Take care of yourself.
A hug.

Lowcarb team member said...

Google Translation

Juvenal Nunes said...
Não sei se as escalou por ordem de importância. Se não, qual seria a que poria em primeiro lugar?
Abraço de amizade.

I don't know if you listed them in order of importance. If not, which one would you do in the first place?
Friendship embrace

Hello Juvenal Nunes, many thanks for your comment and question.
This list just showed these ten healing spices and they were not in any particular order. I keep these and other herbs, such as Rosemary, Basil, Oregano and more in my kitchen cupboards and use them in my weekly menu plans to give a balanced range of foods/flavour/herbs etc. and I find this works well.

Olá Juvenal Nunes, muitos agradecimentos pelo seu comentário e pergunta.
Esta lista apenas mostrou estas dez especiarias curativas e não estavam em nenhuma ordem particular. Guardo estas e outras ervas, como Alecrim, Manjericão, Orégãos e muito mais nos armários da minha cozinha e uso-as nos meus planos semanais de menu para dar uma gama equilibrada de alimentos/sabores/ervas, etc. e acho que isto funciona bem.

All the best Jan

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Some great ideas here. Never tried turmeric with scrambled eggs. I put half a teaspoon in tomato sauce for pasta or pizza.

God bless.

aussie aNNie said...

Informative thanks. x

Teresa said...

Todas me parecen interesante y las tengo todas, también tengo orégano, tomillo, hierbabuena, menta, perejil, cilantro, y muchos más. Besos.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What great information! I see things we use all the time and others we need to try. I've made the chocolate chip cookies TWICE now....your recipe from about a month ago. I need to work it into a post soon! Hugs!

Lowcarb team member said...

Google Translation

Teresa said...
Todas me parecen interesante y las tengo todas, también tengo orégano, tomillo, hierbabuena, menta, perejil, cilantro, y muchos más. Besos

I find them all interesting and I have them all, I also have oregano, thyme, mint, parsley, coriander, and many more. Kisses.

Hilly Nicolay said...

Herbs and spices are a delicacy in the kitchen.
Tasty.

Educational.

Magic Love Crow said...

Excellent list Jan! Thank you! Appreciate it! Big Hugs!

Jeanie said...

I love spices and I use all of these and often! It's wonderful to know they also have healing properties.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Well, don't I just feel smug. We have them all and use them regularly!