Introduction
Almost every kitchen has a cabinet whose sole purpose is to store a bunch of herbs and spices. However, not all the herbs and spices are incorporated into our everyday diet. We are not saying that those spices aren’t good, however, there are a handful of spices that are found to be very beneficial for the improvement of your overall health.
Herbs and spices are famously used everywhere in the entire world for medicinal purposes. Chinese and Indian medicines are filled with spices that have vast beneficial properties. These cultures have closely studied and used these medicines for centuries. The most amazing part about these medicinal herbs and spices is that they can be ingested in a number of ways, some of which we get to discuss further on in the article.
Now, don’t worry about not finding these spices. These are everyday household spices that can be easily found in the spice section of any convenience store. We visit the store almost every day to buy some things, so whenever you are going to the stores and you do not own these spices, just round up a few essential ones. Moreover, kids have always had a war against supplements and medicines as they usually do not have the greatest taste. Thus, giving them medicine can be a daunting task. Here is where these spices come in handy. You can feed your kids these spices that are full of nutrients and they won’t even know about it.
We understand that it can be overwhelming to figure out which spices and herbs are more beneficial and what purpose do they serve. Therefore, we have taken it upon ourselves to help you understand the amazing beneficial properties of turmeric and other essential spices in this article.
Here is a list of spices that are essential for leading a healthy lifestyle:
Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice that has been used in most Asian households for centuries. It is used for adding yellow color to curries, however, it is an excellent anti-inflammatory. Turmeric possesses many compounds, the most important one out of these is Curcumin. Curcumin is known for having vast health-restoring abilities. Turmeric curcumin extract is vital for all of us if we wish to live a healthy lifestyle. As previously mentioned above, turmeric is excellent for combating inflammation. It helps fight the inflammation in our brains which can lead to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Moreover, curcumin is found to improve the memory of its users. Various studies have proven the effects of curcumin. Here some major benefits of turmeric:
- very good for your heart health
- it is very good for preventing cancer
- Is good for reducing pains and inflammation in patients with arthritis
- Can also be beneficial when it comes to weight loss
If you are worried about turmeric dosage, just take 500mg a day. You can add it to food, drinks, smoothies, shakes or you could take a turmeric extract for a much faster and effective dosage.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the most versatile spices that is jam-packed with healthy goodness. Have you ever had a cinnamon roll or some french toast? Aren’t they just amazing? Combining sugar and cinnamon creates a blend, unlike anything. Nonetheless, aside from its great flavor profile, cinnamon is great for decreasing your blood sugar levels. Research has shown that people suffering from type 2 diabetes should use cinnamon as it helps them better manage their blood sugar levels. Cinnamon also tastes great on its own, without any additives. Hence, sugar is not necessarily required.
Moreover, cinnamon is great for keeping your heart health in check. It possesses properties that can help lower cholesterol. Also, some people use cinnamon as a weight-loss supplement. However, don’t forget that cinnamon is just a spice, do not replace your cholesterol and diabetes medicine with it. In fact, use it as an additional health supplement. Cinnamon is an essential spice that has proven benefits.
Garlic
Garlic is notorious for being overused by everyone. We put garlic on everything. From providing extra flavor in dishes to entire foods made by using garlic such as garlic bread. It can be called an essential herb/spice for the pantry. However, what most people aren’t aware of are the various health benefits of garlic. It is excellent for protecting individuals from chronic heart diseases.
As we grow older, our arteries slowly start to harden. This occurs due to the formation of fatty deposits in the arteries. This happens mostly due to high cholesterol. Smoking and high blood pressure can also become contributing factors that can worsen your condition, especially in women. Thus, the regular ingestion of garlic can help protect you from all these ailments.
Moreover, garlic also possesses properties that can help you decrease weight.
Ginger
Well, who doesn’t like the taste of ginger? It is frequently used to intensify the flavor of our dishes: from tea to stir fry, ginger is used in almost everything. Most Asian countries use ginger due to its medicinal properties that can help with illnesses such as diarrhea and nausea. It is readily available everywhere. You can also buy the ginger powder to add to your teas and dishes or, purchase it fresh and add it to whatever your heart desires.
Ginger can help prevent pregnancy-induced nausea. It is also great for cancer patients who are going through radiation therapy. Take it alongside anti-nausea medication for a greater effect. It is also known to improve your digestive system.
Cayenne
Cayenne is a form of pepper that is regular used to spice up dishes. It has capsaicin, which is regarded as the vital element that gives the pepper its spicy taste. Oddly enough, it has pain-relieving properties. Yes, it sounds baffling but it’s true. Cayenne is great for helping you relieve muscular and joint pains. It controls the sensors in your brain that respond to pain. Thus, instant pain relief. It is great for pains caused by arthritis and nerve damage caused due to diabetes.