Everyday Spices That Will Improve Your Health and Mood
As I write, a batch of granola bakes in the oven and the heady scent of cinnamon fills the air. I associate cinnamon with warmth, and I add it to cups of coffee and hot chocolate and mix it into oatmeal and pumpkin pies. To me, cinnamon is a winter spice, the flavor of gingerbread and candy canes. It conjures up images of toasty fires and flannel pajamas. Am I getting too poetic here? Maybe. But truth be told, there is some science to support these romantic associations.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a not just a common household spice; it’s a valuable medicinal herb. As a circulatory tonic, cinnamon is the perfect flavor for winter to help warm cold hands and feet and get the blood flowing on chilly winter mornings. Cinnamon is a stimulant, too, perfect for those dark days when staying in bed seems most appropriate. And you don’t even need to consume it! Studies have shown that the mere scent of cinnamon can increase alertness and mental function, helping to improve memory, coordination, recognition, and attention.
There’s more. Using just 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon a day can help lower high blood cholesterol and glucose levels, minimizing your risk of type-2 diabetes and heart disease. Some research has shown that cinnamon protects against thrush and can be useful in preventing stomach ulcers.
But cinnamon is just one example of a common kitchen spice with powerful healing properties. Many others, especially those used in various cultures around the world, have long been valued not just for their tastes but also for their curative abilities.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper has traditionally been used to improve circulation and to treat pain. Like cinnamon, it can help to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Some swear that it improves overall health, reducing arthritic pain, boosting immunity, and curing colds.
Ginger
Ginger is another great example. It’s used as a digestive aid to minimize nausea and vomiting and ease upset stomachs. What I love about ginger is how it adds zing to your meal and helps you digest it at the same time. Ginger is also used to help with morning sickness, so many pregnant women are familiar with this spice.
Peppermint
Another helpful digestive herb is peppermint. In many countries, it’s common practice to sip a cup of peppermint tea, particularly after a heavy meal. Peppermint is used to relieve an upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and colic. Its pleasant taste and gentle action also make it a good choice for children. And if you find yourself feeling lousy with a cold or flu, a little peppermint tea can help lower fever and reduce headaches.
A Bit of History
In North America, it’s only in recent decades that different spices have become so commonly used and readily available, but in most countries, cooking with a variety of spices is the traditional way of preparing food. In India, there is cumin, cardamom, and turmeric. In Mexico, hot chilies and peppers are standard fare. Spices were once so valued that European explorers raced off to new continents in an effort to find faster routes to the spice countries.
Did earlier generations know that these spices were doing more than just making their food taste good? It’s likely. Spices were valued partly for their role in preserving food. In pre-freezer days, anything that could keep food from going bad was worth celebrating. Researchers today look at the antimicrobial properties of spices such as garlic, rosemary, cloves, thyme, and sage. We don’t need them to preserve our food anymore, but their antimicrobial qualities may help us in other ways.
Spice It Up
So next time you prepare a meal, think about which spices your body is in need of that day. Add cinnamon to your morning coffee for some mental alertness. Throw some cayenne pepper into your soup on a cold winter day. Make a gingery stir-fry if you’re feeling a bit queasy. The many health benefits of spices are wonderful and surprising, not to mention tasty. And thankfully, we no longer have to travel halfway around the world to add some spice to our diets.
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February 2nd, 2009 at 10:32 am
My favorite spice is cumin. Its great with just about everything. I also love turmeric which is great for your mind apparently.
February 4th, 2009 at 8:30 am
Cumin is a great one! I have to admit that for years I never used it, but now use it all the time. I add it to bean soup, meat sauce, chicken dishes – you name it. It's always nice to discover a new flavour and new recipes to go with it.
February 11th, 2009 at 8:28 am
I never knew that spices had this kind of effect and no wander that i have always had a healthy body. It's because of my love of spice! lolz
February 26th, 2009 at 10:07 am
good outlook
March 3rd, 2009 at 2:56 pm
If you are suffering from thrush, visit this website its a natural treatment for thrush. Follow it step by step and you will start to see immediate relief from your symptoms. The website is http://www.naturaltreatmentforthush.com. I hope this helps!
March 3rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
If you are suffering from thrush, visit this website its a natural treatment for thrush. Follow it step by step and you will start to see immediate relief from your symptoms. The website is http://www.naturaltreatmentforthrush.com. I hope this helps!
March 21st, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Atarax (hydroxyzine) for Nausea/Vomiting: Atarax is the best for relieving nausea, especially while taking pain killers. I have a broken tailbone and am taking Vicodin, which makes me so sick. I take 50 mg of Atarax and the nausea is gone within 20 minutes. It is GREAT. Also helps with anxiety and hives.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:18 am
Good stuff, this article will really help us specially health concerns.
May 4th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Spices were once so valued that European explorers raced off to new continents in an effort to find faster routes to the spice countries.
May 4th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
My favourite spice is curry. Have to admit any of the hot east indian spices improve my mood. The hotter the better actually
May 5th, 2009 at 3:27 am
Hi..thanks for the information… loved it simply Oh man! What an amazing thing to say……..
May 5th, 2009 at 4:44 am
I agree with what you have to say…..
May 17th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Cinnamon is indeed a valuable medicinal herb, i always recommend this to my clients.
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
I've read in a few places that Cayenne pepper also stimulates blood flow, which can help prevent or lessen many health conditions.
http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet...
May 23rd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
In Indian, ginger is one of the main spices used for making pulse and lentil curries, which are very popular dishes.
May 24th, 2009 at 3:47 am
Spices were once so valued that European explorers raced off to new continents in an effort to find faster routes to the spice countries.
May 24th, 2009 at 7:13 am
The power of spices really are mysterious, some make us happier, some more energetic, some sleepy, even when you just moved from your old home to a new one, and feel sick from the drive you can use spices to elevate the sick feeling.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:14 am
The latest studies say that every time you flavor your meal with herbs and spices, you are not only making it more delectable but also more healthful Adding herbs and spices to your food may do more than make a meal tasty, it may keep you healthy.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Spices makes the food tastier,as well as they are beneficial for health.I regularly add cinnamon and ginger in tea and vegetables.So by adding flavours,one can make their food healthy.
June 10th, 2009 at 7:52 am
Wow! I never knew that those spices could bring such wonderful effects. Now I know better. On another note, does anyone know of the effects that saffron could bring?
June 13th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Wonderful! I'm a cinnamon lover and the facts you shared that a 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon a day can help lower high blood cholesterol as well as minimize the risk of type-2 diabetes and heart disease only made me love it even more!
Thank you so much!
June 15th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
India is one of the country who loves to use spices, i just love all their spices, it really adds flavors to the foods you are cooking simply amazing
June 15th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
i agree with your article Studies have shown that the mere scent of cinnamon can increase alertness and mental function, helping to improve memory, coordination, recognition, and attention.
June 15th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
i agree of this article and Studies have shown that the mere scent of cinnamon can increase alertness and mental function, helping to improve memory, coordination, recognition, and attention.
June 16th, 2009 at 4:23 am
Very informative facts you shared! Will definitely keep it to heart and share it with others and hopefully encourage them into using spices not only for improving the taste of their meals, but of getting the most benefits out of them. Not to an addicting and overuse extent of course.
June 18th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Ginger is another great example. It’s used as a digestive aid to minimize nausea and vomiting and ease upset stomachs. What I love about ginger is how it adds zing to your meal and helps you digest it at the same time. Ginger is also used to help with morning sickness, so many pregnant women are familiar with this spice.
June 25th, 2009 at 11:31 am
these spices were doing more than just making their food taste good? It’s likely.
June 30th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
Ginger is also used to help with morning sickness, so many pregnant women are familiar with this spice.