Almost every house has a kitchen cabinet or a rack designated just for their cooking spices. Did you know that a majority of those spices contain beneficial healing and medicinal properties? Many spices can be used for both healing and preventing ailments.
Topping off your bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon in the early morning sure is pleasurable to the palette, but it is also great for aiding in proper brain function. There are so many edible medicines – whether they’re used to heal, cure or to simply prevent health issues that taste delicious.
8 Spices With Healing Power
Saffron – This herb is a rather pricey one. It not only tastes and smells delicious but it also contains Antidepressant properties similar to the prescription drugs. Saffron will increase the blood flow to your brain, which helps your overall cognitive performance on a regular basis. It works wonders for the eyes by slowing and possibly even reversing degenerative eye diseases.
Basil – Basil is a highly aromatic herb packed full of goodness. It contains antimicrobial and antiviral properties. The COX Inhibitor makes this herb wonderful for treating arthritis and other inflammatory issues. It is used for treating asthma, stress, and diabetes.
Chili Peppers – The capsaicin produced from the chili peppers is the active ingredient that relieves pain, which makes this a great topical pain reliever. A cream can be made and used to treat pain from arthritis, headaches, as well as chronic pain.
Ginger – Ginger is well-known for many of its healing benefits. It is known as a carminative, which promotes the elimination of gas. Gingerals present in the ginger and are responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties within the ginger. This root is also amazing for coughs and colds. When I’m feeling unwell, I make a lemon and honey hot tea with ginger.
Cinnamon – This delicious spice is fantastic on some oatmeal but it’s so much more than that. There are 3 components within cinnamon’s essential oils found in the bark of the tree: Cinnamaldehyde, Cinnamyl Acetate, and Cinnamyl Alcohol. These are the components that cause all the magic to happen. Cinnamon contains antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. The smell of cinnamon is also said to help boost your brain function, -- it’s no wonder it makes one of the best oatmeal toppings!
Cayenne Peppers – Just like the Chili Peppers, Cayenne peppers contain capsaicin, which is a well-known active ingredient to treating pain. Cayenne will also increase the body’s blood flow, as well as, regulating it, which is great for high-blood pressure and circulation. This spicy pepper is also great for aiding in good digestion.
Peppermint – Far more than just a flavor of candy or peppermint mocha coffee creamer, peppermint is similar to several plants in the mint family. Peppermint is great for numerous stomach issues – from Irritable Bowl Syndrome to treating prostate cancer and nausea due to Chemotherapy treatments. This spice is good for much more than the stomach it is a wonderful thing to have on hand during cough and cold season. The essential oil eases tooth pain and headaches.
Turmeric – Fragrant odor and beautiful color are two of the health benefits of this spice.. I like to call Turmeric the Triple-A of medicines because it is used to treat asthma, Arthritis, and Alzheimer’s. Many of the benefits provided from this spice are similar to those of ginger, and this is because they are related. There have been thousands of studies done on this specific spice and studies show it is great for the following properties: Antioxidant, Neuroprotective, Immunomodulatory, Anti-inflammatory, Epigenetic, and Adaptogenic.
All of the spices are packed full of healing and preventative healing benefits. It is always nice to be able to sit down for a nice meal and know what you are consuming is really going to benefit more than your pallet and tummies. These 8 spices are merely a fraction of what is out there – so explore the wonderful world of Mother Nature!
