HEALING PROPERTIES OF SPICES
Culinary herbs do not only bring culinary pleasure to the table, they also have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. As a matter of fact, culinary art as we know it now wouldn’t exist without herbs and spices. Not only do they give colour, flavour and smell but also provide health benefits. They can intensify salivary flow. They clean the oral cavity from bacteria, protecting the mouth from caries and gum diseases. Besides, they act as a stimulant to the digestive system and can reduce blood pressure.
- Thyme is one of the most useful herbs in the kitchen. It is usually used to flavour meals, soups and stews. Moreover, it is very aromatic and has healing properties.
- Cinnamon is used as a carminative, relieving nausea, fever, diarrhoea and gum diseases and it is good for control type 2 diabetes because lowering post-meal blood-sugar spikes.
- Cardamom relieves flatulence and headache. In case of indigestion it is used mixed with ginger, cloves and coriander.
- Cumin may help lower blood glucose levels. Black cumin can help reduce inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and it is good for relieving an unsettled stomach because studies show ginger extracts can help reduce nausea caused by morning sickness.
- Chile Peppers boosts your metabolism. They increase the body metabolic rate and can help us fell less hungry. They also decrease the risk of ulcers by boosting stomach cells to resist infections and reduce LDL cholesterol in obese individuals. They are a rich source of vitamin-C.
- Turmeric quells inflammation, inhibit tumours. In India, it is used to help wounds heal. It is added as a paste into a tea to relieve colds and respiratory problems.
- Saffron lifts your mood and is used as help to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and depression. It’s the most expensive and famous spice in the world. The spice is used in cooking as a seasoning.
- Cloves are known for providing their uniquely warm, sweet and aromatic taste to ginger bread and pumpkin pie. They’re an excellent source of manganese, a very good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin K, dietary fibre, and vitamin C and a good source of calcium and magnesium and functions as an anti-inflammatory.
- Paprika is a good source of vitamin C. It is also known to promote circulation and helps with menstrual cramping.
- Cayenne helps circulation. It is also used in compresses and creams as analgesics. It helps to reduce the pain of arthritis, swollen joints, sprains, back pain and general muscle pain. People also use it internally for menstrual pain and the pain of fibroid tumours.
- Garlic in in vitro studies, garlic has been found to have antibacterial and antifungal activity. It helps to prevent heart disease and regulate blood sugar levels. It was used as an antiseptic to prevent gangrene during World War I and II. In China, it has been used in AIDS patients. But it has also adverse effects, for example, halitosis, allergies and piles inflammation (if it is consumed raw).
- Vanilla is one of the oldest as well as one of the most familiar spices, but you don’t hear a lot about its health benefits. That’s probably because it is more important for its flavouring and aromatic uses. It is said to act as an aphrodisiac.
- Parsley is a highly nutritious vegetable. It’s a great breath freshener and cleanser because of its antibacterial properties. Its chlorophyll and fluorine slows the growth and spread of bacteria. Its volatile oils inhibit tumour formation, especially in the lungs, and its antioxidants. Use parsley in small amounts for bowel stimulation. It helps the kidneys and when dried and used for tea, it acts as a diuretic.
- Nutmeg has been used for everything such as stomach cramps, it can help lower blood pressure and sooth a stomach ache as well as to stop diarrhoea and (in low doses) helps to detoxify the body. The essential oil of the nutmeg is considered the most efficacious part of the plant. One of the interesting health benefits of nutmeg oil is its ability to stimulate the brain – it relieves stress and stimulates mental activity.
5TH LEVEL—GROUP 4:00-6:30
Teresa Nadal, Eva Allué,
Montalbà Bellart, Judith Ballano, Carol Garcia, Javier Romaní,
Eva Lozano, Montse Solé
