Spices which help you to relieve pain
Most of us use the terms “spice” and “herb” interchangeably. Herbs, however, are traditionally obtained from the leaves of herbaceous plants, while spices can be obtained from roots, flowers, fruits, seeds or bark and tend to be more strongly flavoured. To add to the confusion, some plants produce both herbs and spices. Apart from adding colour, flavour and taste, consumption of spices provide innumerable benefits for our health, although we should use them sparingly. If you do an excessive use of them, they can be harmful because they have some components which are toxic. Nevertheless, you can obtain benefits as long as you keep the right balance, adding some spice to your life.
Nowadays, if you have pain, you can take a pill such as an ibuprofen or a paracetamol but if you want to use alternative medicine, you can find several spices that contain chemicals that provide pain relief and in some cases, there are studies which show us that spices are useful to avoid pain. Turmeric, ginger, cayenne pepper and rosemary are only a few examples of the spices that you can take to avoid it.
Besides, there are a lot of herbs that help to control some diseases. For instance, bay leaf is beneficial in treating migraines and diabetes; Coriander is useful to help reduce swelling and cholesterol levels and eliminate mouth ulcers, anaemia and menstrual disorders. Fennel is a good source of calcium, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus. In addition, mint is another herb to treat pain like stomach aches and chest pain. On the other hand, menthol, which is the essence from the mint, is an ingredient of many cosmetics, perfumes and shampoos. Nowadays, it is very common in aromatherapy through the use the essential oils. Cinnamon can also provide us with these minerals. I would like to include another important herb widely used in our culture, which is really useful to fight stomach aches and any other digestive disorder: chamomile. It must be said that, not only is it great as a digestive healing, but it is also an exceptional cure for some skin diseases when applied externally.
In addition to digestive, stomachic, and carminative actions, spices and herbs are used as flavours and aphrodisiacs. They are believed to have tonic and stimulatory effects and to provide pleasure-giving sensory input. For instance, vanilla contains the widely loved vanillin, whose taste and smell conjures up romantic feelings in the appropriate circumstances. Another spice is the clove, which smells fragrant and aromatic, and has long been considered to enhance sexual feelings.
Regarding the use of herbs in cooking, not only do they convert an ordinary dish into a fantastic feast for your palate, but they also possess medicinal healing properties. For instance, they are high in antioxidants; prevent disease like cancer, Alzheimer. Moreover, they lower cholesterol and blood sugar, improve memory; help to have a good digestion and so on.
To conclude, herbs and spices have more diseases fighting antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables. As you know, salt and pepper are the Queen and King of the spices and herbs in the Mediterranean diet, and almost in all diets around the world. In addition, spices not only have good properties for our system, but are commonly used in underdeveloped countries in order to decrease appetite in the absence of familiar resources. That’s why meals are so spicy in the underdeveloped countries.
5TH LEVEL – GROUP: 6:30- 9:00
Xavier Ferrús, Pilar Corbella
Jordi Alegre, Eva Poveda,
Andreu Salvadó, Isabel Segura,
Mar Miquel, Margaret Roca
Xavier Farreny, Marta Pont,
Núria Caselles
