Spice your Life for Good health

When you think of Indian spices most will either think “too hot” or cave in to the aromatic scents and mouth watering tastes on the dishes created using the spices.

What if we told you that not only do these spices tastes great, their also good for your health?  Whether you have a palette for sweet or savory tastes, you’ll be sure to find that perfect spice to not only satisfy your craving but also promote good health.  In addition to conventional uses with food, many creations can be made such as ice creams, pastries and even drinks based on you spice of choice.

Cardamom: This tiny seeds inside the pod of this spice is most commonly used in Indian Masala Chai but also found in many savory dishes.  Some benefits of this spice include fighting digestive issues and bloating but its also used as a mouth freshener to battle bad breath.

Cinnamon: A diabetics friend, Cinnamon is known for its powerful benefits in lowering blood sugar levels by healing increase insulin.  Originating from Sri Lanka and South India this spice comes from the tree bark of the Lauraceae evergreen.  This versatile spice can be used in both savory dishes or spicy dishes and your favorite cup of tea or hot coco.

Turmeric: For thousands of years this brightly orange colored spice has been a staple of Ayurveda medicine.  A member of the ginger family this root is either grated fresh or used in its most popular form as a dry powder.  This “wonder spice” is has the power to aid with treating heartburn, stomach pain, intestinal issues, arthritis, skin inflammations and infections.

Clove: The oil from this small bud which looks like a flower can be used for many hygienic products such as tooth paste and soap and can be applied as topically for muscle aces and pains. The clove bud is also a staple in Indian cooking providing an aromatic essence to any dish while helping relief ailments such as diarrhea, gas and nausea.

Ginger:  The ginger root works great to soothe an upset stomach and arthritis pain but is also a great remedy to fight the common cold. Although its known as a “spice” Ginger is a popular ingredient in some sweet dishes such as Ginger Bread cookies.  Other health benefits include relief for migraine and menstrual pains, morning sickness relief fighting against certain cancers.

Saffron: This delicate floral spice if often used more on the savory side and goes well with may ingredients such as Rice, Shellfish and Risotto to name a few.  Saffron may help with Depression, Premenstrual Syndrome and Mood Swings.

Chili Pepper: Chilies come in a variety of types and a wide range of “heat level” but this often feared spice can provide many health benefits. Capsaicin which is found in chilies helps boosts the metabolism and speeds up the fat burning process, some research has also found that it helps the stomach’s ability to resist infections which may cause ulcers and keep control of LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff).  One ironic fact is that in hotter climates, the chili is a favorite as it actually triggers the bodies natural cooling system (yep, sweat).