What are Health Benefits of common Indian cooking Spices?
Starting 1970s, there has been several human and animal studies in and out of India to evaluate health benefits of
Indian spices.
Some of the primary benefits are summarized
Cardamoms: Helps in producing stomach acid, thus aids in digestion.In India, pod of green cardamom is chewed after a meal as a breath freshener and help digest food
Chili Pepper: Helps in feeling good, reduce congestion, pain relief through topical use. Prevent common colds. Improves palatability of foods.
Cinnamon: Mimics insulin and helps lower blood glucose.
Sprinkle cinnamon powder on green apple slices and eat for snack
Diuretic, Antibiotic.
Cloves: Clove-oil is used to relieve toothache.
It is anti-biotic.
Fresh ginger ground with cloves helps ease nausea. Helpful to relieve morning sickness.
Cumin: Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Carminative, and Antispasmodic.
Coriander Seeds: Animal studies suggest Control of Blood Sugar, Cholesterol, and production of Free Radicals
Coriander Leaves: Dodecenal in Fresh Coriander leaves (Cilantro) is twice as effective as Gentamicin (commonly used antibiotic) at killing Salmonella. Cilantro is commonly used as a garnish. This explains low occurrence of Salmonella, despite poor hygienic conditions.
Fenugreek: Mimics insulin and helps lower blood glucose. Sprouted Fenugreek seeds are suggested to help lower blood glucose.
Helps with breast milk production in nursing mothers
Fennel: Animal studies have repeatedly shown that Anethole in Fennel helps reduce inflammation and fight cancer
Saffron: Helps with Insomnia, Depression, moodiness associated with PMS.
Stir saffron in warm whole milk sweetened with honey, for insomnia before going to bed
Turmeric: Prevents Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin in Turmeric is credited for the low occurrence of Alzheimer's in India.
Antibiotic, Antiviral, Anti-inflammatory. Anti-staph agent, Helps with Arthritis, Joint pains.
Stir turmeric in warm whole milk sweetened with honey, to soothe sore throat. |