Healing properties of herbs and spices and why you should eat more of them

Just for desserts? Think again!

Studies suggest that cinnamon may improve blood-glucose levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and significantly lowering blood-glucose levels. Studies have suggested that cinnamon improves blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, since insulin plays a key role in regulating fats in the body. Cinnamon is also known for it’s obesity-fighting capabilities, so feel free to sprinkle cinnamon in your juices, on top of yams, etc.

Cinnamon may also help prevent and treat:
Cancer, cholesterol problems, food poisoning, heart disease, hypertension, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome, stroke, ulcer, vaginal yeast infection, wounds.

2. Coriander. Health Benefits: Eases Digestive Discomfort

Digestive aid: Researchers have found that coriander works like an anti-spasmodic drug, relaxing contracted digestive muscles that cause the discomfort of IBS and other “overactive gut” disorders. That same relaxing effect may be one reason why Coriander can help lower blood pressure too.

May also help prevent and treat:
Bloating, cholesterol problems, colic, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, diarrhea, eczema, flatulence, high blood pressure, IBS, indigestion, insomnia, lead poisoning, liver disease, psoriasis, rosacea, stomach-ache, ulcer, vaginal yeast infection.

Cooking tips:

• Mix coriander seeds with peppercorns in your peppermill.
• Coarsely grind coriander and rub it into meats or fish before cooking.
• Add whole or ground seeds to stews, casseroles, marinades, vinaigrettes and pickled dishes.
• Make a classic Moroccan rub: Mix ground coriander with garlic, butter and paprika, and rub it on lamb before roasting.

Fennel is one of the few plants that has it all — it’s a vegetable, herb and spice. Fennel has also been shown to calm colic in babies, and studies have shows Fennel Seed helps reduce cramps and inflammation associated with menstrual cramps.

May also help prevent and treat:
Alzheimer’s, arthritis, cancer, colitis (inflammatory bowel disease), dementia, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, hirsutism (unwanted hair growth in women), stroke.

Cooking tips:

• Dry and crush toasted fennel seeds and steep them in tea.
• Fennel seed naturally complements many foods from the Mediterranean diet, including tomatoes, olives, olive oil, basil, grilled meat and seafood.
• Throw in extra fennel seeds the next time you make a sausage ragu or meat sauce.
• Add fennel seeds to fruit salads and compotes.
• Add ground fennel to scrambled eggs.
• Make spiced olives by marinating 2 cups olives in ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil and 1 teaspoon each of fennel seeds, dried oregano and dried thyme.

4. Turmeric. Health Benefits: Reduces Inflammation

Turmeric is a kitchen staple in India, found in just about every dish that crosses the table — a fact that has not been lost on researchers, who observed 30 years ago that the incidence of chronic illnesses among people in India is significantly lower than in most Western countries, especially the United States.

Turmeric owes its preventive and curative characteristics to its active ingredient curcumin, a compound so diverse and powerfully rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions that thousands of studies have shown that it protects and improves the health of virtually every organ in the body.

In fact, wide research shows that turmeric, taken as supplemental curcumin, is as effective and, in some cases, even more effective than pharmaceutical drugs — without their side effects.

May also help prevent and treat:
Acne, allergies, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, asthma, cancer, cholesterol problems, colitis (inflammatory bowel disease), cystic fibrosis, depression, dermatitis, type 2 diabetes, eczema, eye infection, flatulence, gallbladder disease, gout, gum disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, itching, liver disease, macular degeneration, obesity, pain, Parkinson’s disease, pollution side effects, psoriasis, rash, scleroderma, stroke, wounds.

Cooking tips:

• Before sautéing vegetables or making stir-fry, heat oil in a pan and sprinkle it with turmeric, stirring for a few seconds so it toasts a bit but doesn’t burn.
• Add turmeric to fried onions (one study found that onions and turmeric work together, synergistically, to protect against cancer).
• Use turmeric generously in lentil or dal dishes.
• Blend it in melted butter and drizzle over cooked vegetables.
• Add a teaspoon of turmeric to a large pot of chicken noodle soup.
• Add a teaspoon of turmeric to homemade chili.
• Eat more yellow mustard, which contains turmeric.

 5.  Ginger. Health Benefits: Quiets Queasiness

For thousands of years, traditional healers worldwide have turned to ginger to help ease nausea of all kinds, and while we have all heard of drinking ginger ale for an upset stomach, it’s the actual ginger root that should be consumed to ease queasiness.

May also help prevent and treat:
Arthritis, asthma, cancer, cholesterol problems, heart attack, heartburn, indigestion, migraine, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea, stroke, elevated triglycerides.

Cooking tips:

• Grate fresh ginger over cooked tofu, vegetables or soba noodles.
• Toss sliced or chopped ginger into stir-fries.
• Rub into meat before grilling to help tenderize and add flavor.
• Steep a coin-size piece of fresh ginger with your choice of tea.
• Sprinkle ground ginger and a little brown sugar on acorn squash or sweet potatoes before baking.
• Add fresh ginger to smoothies and juices

 

Other amazing herbs and spices to add to your diet include