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Spice Cures
By Linda | February 27, 2009
Your spice shelf may hold the cure for your health complaints. Research now confirms what traditional populations have long observed; flavorful spices double as safe and effective medicines. Although many cultures use spices as medicines, in the U.S., your doctor could lose his or her medical license and spice sellers could be put out of business for recommending a spice cure. Since I am not a doctor or spice vendor, I’d like to share some long-enjoyed medicinal benefits of a few common spices.
Turmeric is rich in curcurmin, a yellow pigment that fights cancer, arthritis (and other pain), as well as Alzheimer’s disease. The curry-rich Indian diet is associated with far lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric regenerates liver cells, your body’s detox mechanism. Many consider turmeric to be the most powerful medicine in the spice world.
Garlic, when used freshly minced and raw, contains a medicinal compound called allicin, which kills parasites, harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Garlic is even effective against MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant menace found in hospitals and locker rooms. And drug-resistance is not an issue with garlic.
Cinnamon helps type 2 diabetics control blood sugar levels and may enable them to come off insulin. Just a half teaspoon per day also helps lower elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Cinnamon also reduces pain in joints and improves memory and cognition.
Rosemary, thyme, peppermint, and eucalyptus can open sinuses better than a decongestant when their essential oils or fresh leaves are simmered in water and breathed deeply. These herbs also stimulate the brain and kill harmful bacteria.
Oregano and marjoram kill parasites and help digestion, upset stomach, coughs and congestion. Today, Turkish villagers make teas of the mountain oregano and marjoram leaves for digestive complaints, colds and congestion.
Ginger in foods and tea reduces inflammation and pain. I’ve had clients who claim it works as well or better than pain meds. Ginger tea works better than many anti-nausea drugs for motion sickness as well as being safe and effective for morning sickness. Ginger tea also aids digestion and warms the body on cold days.
If you receive my Top Health Tips, next issue will give you Tips for Flavoring with Spice Cures. Be sure to sign up on my home page if you aren’t receiving my newsletter to receive this.
Share your family’s herb and spice remedies here. Do you have a tea blend for reflux? for indigestion? Do you sip an herb blend for insomnia? Is there a spice blend passed down from your grandmother? Share it here.
Topics: Drugs, Flavors & Foods, Uncategorized, Vitamins vs. Drugs |
February 28th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Some of these are favorites of mine. I wonder, however, about the amounts needed for the described benefits? I am reminded about the health benefits of the resveratrol in red wine. But supposedly you have to drink 1,000 bottles a day to get enough of the resveratrol!
Do these spices have the intended results at normally used amounts?
Wills last blog post..Yes Alana, We May Be Doomed
February 28th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Good question Will.
Studies show cultures who use these spices derive benefit. In India, for example where turmeric-rich curry dishes are popular, Alzheimer’s disease affects less than 1% of the population whereas in non-curry eating cultures it is closer to 10%. Herbalists recommend using 1/2 to 1 tsp turmeric per day, which is feasible if you use it liberally.
It takes a half teaspoon of cinnamon to impact blood glucose, an amount perfect for a bowl of oatmeal.
And garlic, you could make a significant bite into your parasite population with a couple minced raw garlic cloves per day, an easy thing to do if you like pesto or some zing to your broccoli.
Red wine delivers benefits in far lower doses than 1000 bottles per day. Red wine contains polyphenols, in addition to resveratrol, which protect against cancer, Alzheimer’s and heart disease. The Journal of Cancer, reported men who drink 4 or more 4-oz glasses of red wine a week reduce their risk of aggressive prostate cancer by 60%.
Researchers are developing red wine pills that supposedly contain resveratrol levels equal to 1000 bottles of red wine. Claims are that these pills significantly lengthen life. Hmmmmm. Maybe.
My preference would be a glass of red wine a few times a week. It works for the French.
February 28th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Thanks Linda - Your advice always makes such good sense. Thing is that sometimes it seems like if we ate all the things that are good for us in the amounts needed we would be eating 5 times as much food as we should.
I probably drink 4 or 5 glasses of red wine a week from about October to March. Then my tastes drastically change and from then until the following October or so I drink 5 or 6 bottles of beer a week. Strange, I know, but my desire for wine vs beer really does change every year like clockwork.
Wills last blog post..Yes Alana, We May Be Doomed
March 1st, 2009 at 5:08 pm
Actually, I think if you choose high quality foods most the time, and you use some kind of herbs and spices in most dishes, you’re in good shape. Beer provides some B vitamins and chromium, and it turns out any kind of alcohol raises HDL, so your choices turn out to be good. And, varying foods gives you a greater range of nutrients. So, listen to those urges!