There are a thousand and one ways of combining seemingly innocuous herbs and spices that are readily available everywhere into very effective remedies to keep us healthy all year round. They are very inexpensive with the preparation process so simple that even a child can put it together. No… I was only joking about that. So in continuation of medicines, here are some spices that you can add to your daily meal plans for a healthy life. I am selecting some efficient spices that work equally well and you can take one by one or mixed with any menu.
A word of caution though; if you are suffering from any serious diseases and are on treatment with medicines, consult your general doctor before consuming any spice or herb.
1.Cinnamon
This is a wonderful spice that lowers your blood sugar, and the aroma that it gives off is highly aromatic. If you already have diabetes, this is one spice that should adorn your kitchen shelf all year round. Regular use of this spice gradually takes you out of the hands of sugar, and your body no longer craves for sweet food. The spice also has the advantage of offering excellent sweetness without the potential negative effects of having excess sugar in your body, which can result in a greater risk of falling prey to diabetes complications. Add a pinch to your coffee or tea or a teaspoon to your juice or any of your favorite beverages.
2. Ginger
It is a pale yellow rhizome with a pungent and warm aftertaste. It has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be said to do some wonders with its fat-burning ability. It is a spice that is like a digestive fire that paves the way for your body to release digestive enzymes that break down nutrients quickly. It is also a vital spice in curing our everyday ailments that we would otherwise use artificial and potentially harmful chemicals in our bodies to cure. Body aches, cold, joint pains, nausea and many other ailments are instantly cured by this spice. Taken in any form either as a tea or added to your food every day, it is a very efficient agent in lowering your high cholesterol levels in your body. It is a spice that is worth your money and one that is well accommodated by most body types with minimal or no side effects that come from man-made chemical foods that we consume.
It is a wonderful ingredient in the improvement of poor digestion. To give your gastrointestinal system a boost every day, take half a teaspoon of dried ginger powder with warm water and a pinch of honey as soon as you wake up at least thirty minutes before any breakfast. You can also take it after meals during the day. Ginger can be incorporated into your meals in its fresh state to spice up your beef and sprinkled on your food to give your digestion the boost it so badly needs.
Ginger not only acts on your internal organs; it also does a very important job of catering to the external needs of your body by giving a soothing and effective flow of blood to the surface of your skin. In the event that you experience a painful joint or muscle, you can make a poultice using two teaspoons of dried ginger powder in warm water. Stir to a fine paste and apply directly to the area and rub into your muscles and thus provide calming relief. You are advised not to let it come near your nose or eyes. So always make sure that you wash your hands carefully after handling ginger due to its hot nature.
3. Onion and Garlic
They both possess beneficial cholesterol-lowering properties, but most avoid it because of the smell that goes with it especially garlic. They have been in use for centuries because of their health benefits and food flavoring. They both stimulate the production of digestive enzymes that actively break down fatty acid deposits. Garlic has a wider range of action than onion, and its active components are more potent than those in onion. They both are effective in detoxification of the liver, high blood pressure, bacterial infections and it is not exclusive to gastrointestinal ailments and the common cold. So now let’s move on to the process of using these new found friends effectively.
You can have onion and garlic cloves as a snack by slicing them into small pieces and dressing them with a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar to prepare a salad that has a nice zing. Honey drizzled over it will provide some much-needed mellow flavor to this concoction. It is useful in managing respiratory tract ailments. I assume you know that onions and garlic are consumed for cooking by boiling, steaming or roasting certain foods. The health benefits of these two best friends for our body cannot be underestimated. Onions and garlic are also found in their powder or oil form. It is a matter of choice as to what is suitable for you at a particular time. You can mix the powder in warm water and eat two to three cloves of garlic every day. Your choice is your own. In the event that when you have problems with your gallbladder, keep onions and garlic at arms length and walk right over. You eat them, and you are going to have some really terrible aches and pains for an extended period of time.
4. Turmeric
It has been referred to as the “top dog of spices”. It aids digestion, cleanses the liver and helps get rid of toxins in the body. Why in the world would you take an anti-inflammatory prescription that will have some horrible side effects when you can use some turmeric that supplements your body? It relaxes stress, digestive disorders, naturally controls the effects of diabetes and a myriad of other disorders. Its function in food preservation is also well established. Based on its highly potent anti-viral action, some recent studies have established its powerful action against certain types of cancer. There are no known adverse effects of turmeric consumption. So you can consume the powdered one with your tea or add it to your foods. Another strong point of this amazing spice is that it does not allow the accumulation of fat. Regular consumption of turmeric every day will gradually make your body firmer, and your skin brighter. A few years ago I started drinking turmeric and ginger powder tea in the morning and late at night when I used to get that urge for a cup of wine before going to sleep. It is very relaxing and calms my frayed nerves as I am sure it is doing wonders for my health. My desire for that late evening snack or booze has reduced by a huge margin. My acne and spots that had become a part of my skin slowly cleared up and my emotions are out of this world every morning. The bright yellow color of this wonderful spice gives the rainbow to my eggs in the morning.
I get the best of both worlds; the great benefits of turmeric without sacrificing the protein and flavor from my eggs since it has no strong taste. The use of this spice does not only stop at my breakfast table, it is part of my daily diet, from steaming my meat to preparing salads. So make friends with this golden spice and enjoy the benefits that come with it.
5. Cayenne Pepper
This is one hot and spicy guy. The spiciness is caused by capsaicin which is present in hot peppers from chilies to jalapenos. Due to the presence of active components in peppers, you can enjoy the same benefits from all these spices. Its main job is that it boosts your metabolism to twice the normal rate because you are eating your food seasoned with some hot peppers. After taking a bite of your jalapeno seasoned pizza or barbecue, you can feel your metabolic rate increase as your heart starts beating faster. This is an amazing way to suppress your food cravings because you get full quickly while your metabolism also increases simultaneously. So this is an amazing spice that can aid in shedding excess body weight in a healthy way. Do you know about this amazing recipe that provides you with a jolt in the morning? It keeps you going straight out of bed throughout the day. Get yourself some cayenne pepper and lemon. Squeeze the lemon into a jar or your cup and sprinkle a healthy amount of cayenne pepper into it. This brings a jolt of electricity to your system.
6. Black Pepper
This is an excellent herb to curb your gastrointestinal flames, increasing your desires to eat and cleansing your digestive organs. It also stimulates the formation of hydrochloric acid which plays a vital role in the digestion of foods.
Black pepper provides an easy escape route for common ailments such as the common cold, fever, etc. More serious ailments such as anorexia, liver disorders and neurological disorders can also be cured by black pepper treatment. Boil two teaspoons of black pepper, add honey and consume daily to lead a healthy life.
7. Cumin
This is an amazing spice that has been demonstrated in research to ferment a healthy belly three times faster than any method known to man. Add a pinch to hot water or your tea two to three times a day and see that spare tire around your waist fade away to nothing in no time.
