Amazing Healing Powers of Spices

Do you want to remain competitive and productive? Stay healthy. Do lots of exercises. Eat healthy foods. And always include spices to your regular diet. That’s right. Spices.

To most people, these simple additives are meant only to add flavor to their meals while not much thought are given to the wonders it actually do to their bodies. Health studies revealed that while spices are only effective when eaten at least daily, each has its own specific health benefits. In fact, these components can help our body to burn unwanted fats, relieves sore throat or even promote a good sleep.

Let us study a few of them.

1. Cardamom – Fruit of the Elettaria cardamomum plant in the ginger family.

Health Benefits – alleviate belching, flatulence and indigestion; cures respiratory conditions like coughing, asthma and loss of voice; helps in the removal of toxins through your skin.

Regular Dose – Grind a few pinches of cardamom pods and mix the additive into a shot of OJ or on your morning fruit salad. Can also be mixed with white or brown rice before you boil it.

2. Cayenne – Fruit of the Capsicum annuum plant in the Solanaceae family, along with chile pepper.

Health Benefits – Removes gas from the stomach and intestines; relieves sore throat, cold and flu symptoms; increases metabolism for weight control.

Regular Dose – For that contrasting flavor kick, mix into a cup of hot chocolate or any sweet juice drink.

3. Cinnamon – Bark of a small evergreen tree.

Health Benefits – Relieves nausea and stomach ulcers; serve also as a mild anti-inflammatory; increases insulin sensitivity to help focus fat burn.

Regular Dose – You can mix this into your coffee, tea, yogurt, oatmeal or any boxed cereal.

4. Cloves – Flower bud found at the base of an evergreen tree.

Health Benefits – Calm digestive tract muscles and is a strong antihistamine.

Regular Dose – Good to mix into your nightly ice cream treat or add into mustard spread.

5. Nutmeg – Fruit of Myristica fragrans,an evergreen tree.

Health Benefits – helps in digestion; alleviate the symptoms of menstruation; motivates calm and sleep.

Regular Dose- Grate a small amount into applesauce or plain yogurt. (Caution: Consume just one nutmeg daily. This spice is strong and may cause stomach pain and other discomforting reactions if too much are taken)

6. Celery Seed – Seed of the Apium graveolens plant in the parsley family.

Health Benefits – Get rid of toxins in the liver; lowers blood pressure; prevents water retention.

Regular Dose – Think salads-tuna, potato and egg all work-which can be tossed onto a bed of lettuce, eaten alone or spread onto bread.

7. Coriander – Also known as cilantro; the leaves and seeds of the Coriandrum plant in the aromatic Apiaceae family.

Health Benefits – Serve as a diuretic; alleviate seasonal allergies.

Regular Dose – Can be stored and eaten with leftovers after cooking into couscous and quinoa.

8. Fennel – Seed of the Foeniculum plant in the aromatic Apiaceae family.

Health Benefits – Quiets bowel distress; promotes milk production in nursing mothers; prevents water retention.

Regular Dose – Add to canned minestrones and vegetable soups.

9. Oregano – Leaf of the Origanum plant in the mint family.

Health Benefits – Untighten mucus; aids in the treatment of respiratory illnesses; and calms indigestion.

Regular Dose – Can be used in any tomato-based foods, like marinara sauces, pizza and soups.

10. Thyme – Leaf of the Thymus plant in the mint family.

Health Benefits – Soothes the muscle tissue of the gastrointestinal tract; stimulates immune system.

Regular Dose – Toss into any meat-based dishes.

11. Turmeric – Root of the Circuma plant in the ginger family.

Health Benefits – Reduces inflammation (joints, airways); detoxifies the liver.

Regular Dose – Mix in with oil-and-vinegar-based salad dressings.