Very interesting that many spices, which have
been around for years are only recently 'discovered' to have
beneficial health properties. Here are a few.
Cayenne pepper has been used as a healing spice for hundreds
of years. Capsaicin, which gives the spice its kick, can boost
metabolism, helping to burn extra calories, and increase enzyme
production. It is thought to act as an anti-inflammatory and is so
powerful that capsaicin can be found as the active ingredient in
both over the counter and prescription ointments for arthritis and
muscle pain. It can be used to stop nosebleeds by mixing one half
teaspoon of cayenne pepper into a glass of warm water and drink it.
Cayenne has the ability to ease upset stomach, ulcers, sore throats,
spasmodic and irritating coughs, and diarrhea. It can ease the
digestive tract by increasing gastric juices. It is also good to put
out in the yard to keep away squirrels and rabbits.
Cinnamon benefits, which I have written about before,
continue to be added to. According the American Diabetes
Association, regular consumption of between one and six grams of
cinnamon helps reduce blood glucose, triglyceride and total
cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It can also help
manage short-term spikes in blood sugar. That makes it good to add
to high carbohydrate foods such as oatmeal and rice pudding, which
tend to spike blood sugar levels. It also contains strong antiviral,
antibacterial, and antifungal properties making it an excellent
addition when trying to fight a cold. Try sprinkling some in your
coffee or even using it in a face mask combined with a little
coconut oil to help fight acne. Sprinkle some on cookies or
doughnuts for an extra beneficial kick.
Clove is usually the spice we think of to kill pain and sooth
toothaches. Gently bite on a whole clove to release the oils and
move them around to a sore tooth. Clove tea can help reduce, or even
prevent, colds while also working as a natural expectorant to get
rid of excess phlegm. Cloves used to be put in cigarettes, but are
now outlawed in the US. Cloves stuck in oranges have been long used
to add a pleasant odor to a room and are often used for decorative
aromatherapy. In Chinese medicine, cloves are considered acrid,
warm, and aromatic, entering the kidney, spleen, and stomach and
their ability to warm the middle, also to treat hiccoughs. Other
findings concluded that cloves can also boost insulin function in
the body.
Curcumin was first isolated a few hundred years ago and
numerous therapeutic activities have been assigned to turmeric for a
wide variety of diseases and conditions, including those of the
skin, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal systems, aches, pains, wounds,
sprains, and liver disorders. Extensive recent research has proven
that most of these activities are due to curcumin. Curcumin has been
shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral,
antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer activities and has a
potential against various malignant diseases, diabetes, allergies,
arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, and other chronic illnesses.
Turmeric is the name of the spice we use that is derived from the
plant Curcuma longa, is a gold-colored spice is commonly used in
India for health care, for the preservation of food, and as a yellow
dye for textiles.
Ginger is best known to help soothe a queasy stomach and help
reduce pain and inflammation. It is also useful for arthritis,
migraines, or menstrual cramps. It might also help reduce pain.
Fresh ginger is more potent than the powdered variety and can be
added to herbal teas, baked goods, and added to fruit or vegetable
juices.