Posted: 19 Sep 2015 08:54 AM PDT
Ever since I learned how
to cook, I have been incorporating a variety of spices
and herbs into my meals simply because I love the
flavor. But when I found out the incredible benefits
they were providing me, using them more often became a
no-brainer.
Adding
spices and herbs to your dishes is also a great way to
keep other ingredients that can be detrimental to your
health, such as salt, added sugars, and saturated
fats, to a minimum. But make sure to use them at their
peak, since the active compounds in herbs
and spices are devalued over time.
In the past, many have
viewed science as a means of bringing us that which
we’ve never experienced before — using technology to
provide synthetic options to better our health. But
thankfully, modern day science has also done a lot of
digging to uncover the medicinal properties of that
which is, simply put: of the earth.
In reality, spices and
herbs have been used to heal for centuries. Even 2,500
years ago, Confucius was attributing the consumption of ginger at
every meal to improved digestion, while Ayurvedic
medicine, which originated in India more than 3,000
years ago, has used spices and herbs to both heat and cool the body in
relation to the balance of the digestive system.
So whether you’re
looking for something sweet, spicy, or savory, let
these herbs and spices, backed by plentiful studies,
be your go-to for health boosting benefits like large
amounts of antioxidants, antibacterial properties, the
ability to lower blood sugar, inhibit the growth of
cancer cells, alleviate nausea and pain, reduce
inflammation, and so much more.
Cinnamon
Source: Authority
Nutrition
Many
people love cinnamon for its sugar-like taste.
Sprinkled on toast, in a drink or mixed into a dessert
recipe, it’s a staple in many of our kitchens. It also
boasts powerful medicinal properties. Made from the
inner bark of trees called Cinnamomum, this
spice, which originated in Sri Lanka, is filled with antioxidants,
which protect the body from cancer-causing free
radicals. It also has anti-inflammatory properties
and, according to the Mayo Clinic, powerful anti-diabetic
properties as well.
Cumin
Growing up, every time
I asked my mother what made any dish of hers taste so
good, she always referred to cumin. It’s now one of my
favorite spices to incorporate into dishes as well,
and the benefits are just a bonus. Just like cinnamon,
this Mediterranean spice has been found to lower blood
glucose levels. A plethora of studies have also
found that it can kill bacteria known as Helicobacter,
which are linked to stomach ulcers. And black cumin in
particular can aid in the reduction of inflammation associated with
rheumatoid arthritis.
Turmeric
This beautifully bright
orange spice, which is part of the ginger family,
comes from the root of the curcuma longa plant, and has been
found by the National Health Institute to treat a
variety of ailments, including arthritis, heartburn,
and stomach pain. It can also be used topically,
working to heal skin inflammation and infected wounds.
A study in The Journal of Biological
Chemistry also found that the powerful
antioxidant known as curcumin found in the spice works
to improve the effectiveness of
chemotherapy when used for breast cancer
patients.
Cayenne Pepper
You
may have recently noticed that this spice is becoming
a regular ingredient in juice cleanses for its ability
to both stimulate circulation and neutralize
acidity within the body. This hot-tasting red
powder contains the health-benefitting compound called
capsaicin, which offers relief for joint pain, and one
study even found that this specific compound might
help to prevent lung cancer in smokers.
Cayenne also has anti-irritant properties, and can
help to ease the discomfort of sore throats, coughs,
and diarrhea.
Ginger
Source: Mother Earth
Living
This spice, a
flowering plant that originated in China, has long
been known as a reputable source for soothing upset
stomachs, aiding in digestion, and fighting the flu
and common cold. Gingerol, which is the main bioactive compound
found in the spice, can be thanked for many of
its medicinal properties. Studies have shown that the
spice also has the ability to alleviate muscle pain
and soreness, reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar,
reduce heart disease, and fight cancer.
Rosemary
Native to southern
Europe, this pungent perennial herb is a member of the
mint family and has been found to have a variety of
health benefits. Studies show that rosemary may be
able to help cut your risk of cancer by cooking
your meat with it. For instance, when ground
beef patties are cooked, carcinogenic compounds are
produced. This herb works to reduce that production
due to its antifungal and antibacterial
properties.
Thyme
Source: Pet Net
Another member of the
mint family, this herb is popular in aromatherapy as an
essential oil complete with anti-viral, anti-septic,
anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, and anti-rheumatic
properties. One study even found that thyme can reduce
COX-2, an enzyme responsible for promoting
inflammation, pain, and fever, in cells by 25 percent
at the least, while its oil can lower the levels by
almost 75 percent.
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