We all tend to use spices to flavor and spark our food, but what we should know is that spices may offer more than just good taste. Indeed, in some cultures, their medicinal and antiseptic characteristics are revered...

Spice Up Your Health



Cardamom

Cardamom is used as a spice in dishes to provide a strong aroma and flavor. 
Besides, in Ayurveda, it is considered to be a very useful and effective medicine to improve digestion. Cardamom is supposed to enhances appetite and provides relief from acidity in the stomach. It can also be beneficial for those suffering from slight respiratory allergies. Hence, when you have sore throat, you can try out a little quantity of this medicinal spice.





Cinnamom
Cinnamom is one of the oldest known spices. To prepare it, the bark of the cinnamon tree is dried and rolled into cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon can also be dried and ground into a powder.

Ceylon cinnamon and Cassia cinnamon are the most popular varieties of cinnamon.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Cassia cinnamon can be used for colds, nausea, diarrhea, and painful menstrual periods. It's also believed to improve energy, vitality, and circulation.
In Ayurveda, cinnamon can be used as a remedy for diabetes, indigestion, and colds.






Cloves

Cloves are stimulating and have antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic properties. They are also a natural anesthetic (due to the eugenol oil) which is why they were often used for dental procedures in centuries past and are still used in some cultures to remedy toothache. Cloves  may also help relieve vomiting and diarrhea as well as a host of other digestive disorders.

Cloves are believed to have other health benefits that aren’t necessarily connected with an immediate illness. For instance, they can make a great mosquito repellant.




Cumin seeds


Cumin is an excellent addition to meat curries, vegetables, seafood, and sauces. Cumin is also thought to boost the immune system and improve digestion.





 





Fennel seeds
  
Fennel seeds are used to spice up recipes with meat or vegetables. Fennel also helps digestion in two ways: It is supposed to stimulats the production of gastric enzymes and also soothe the nervous system, regulating the action of the muscles that line the intestine.





 Fenugreek seeds
 


Due to its estrogen-like properties,  it has been used to treat reproductive hormonal disorders, to increase libido and to reduce menstrual pain in India and China. Fenugreek is also being studied for its cardiovascular benefits.












Garlic

Garlic is a plant with a very strong and bitter flavor which has been used for both culinary and medical purposes for hundreds of years. The key medicinal ingredient in garlic is allicin, which is known to have wonderful anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and anti-oxidant properties. 

Studies suggest that regularly eating garlic helps lower blood pressure, controls blood sugar and blood cholesterol, and boosts the immune system.






Ginger
 Ginger, the underground stem of the plant Zingiber officinale has been used as a medicine in Asian, Indian, and Arabic herbal traditions since ancient times.

In China, for example, ginger has been used to aid digestion and treat stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea for more than 2,000 years. Ginger has also been used to help treat arthritis, colic, diarrhea, and heart conditions.

In addition to these medicinal uses, ginger continues to be valued around the world as an important cooking spice and is believed to help treat the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches, and even painful menstrual periods. 




Star Anis
As the name suggests, Star Anise is indeed star-shaped. Used to bring out flavor in slow-cooked meat dishes, this spice is an ingredient of the traditional five-spice powder of Chinese cooking. Star anise has been used in a tea to remedy rheumatism, and the seeds are sometimes chewed after meals to aid digestion.











Turmeric

Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family, and its yellow powder is commonly used as a culinary spice in South Asia. However, Turmeric also has an active medicinal ingredient called Curcumin which has many anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-bacterial properties.

The health benefits of Turmeric have been recognized by Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. It has been used to treat everyday problems such as indigestion and flatulence. Turmeric can also be applied directly to reduce inflammation and to relieve slight wounds and cuts. 


Read more about the effects of Turmeric :

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17569205





Be careful, each spice isn't a perfect wonder drug. 
There are possible side effects related to them, especially if used to excess!!



SOURCES:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/06/7-miracle-spices-with-huge-health-benefits-and-big-flavor.php
http://www.suite101.com/content/spices-health-benefits-a39903
http://health.yahoo.net/experts/drmao/9-spices-health-energy-and-longevity
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14633804







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