Are you using your spices just to pep up your dishes? Well, it’s time you know ways you can use them for their proven health benefits.  

Asafoetida It’s commonly known as Hing in India. It’s warm in nature and that probably explains the reason it helps to increase the digestive enzymes. It helps reduce flatulence, digestive disorders, prevents constipation and is an excellent laxative. A pinch of asafoetida can be taken with buttermilk/water to reduce flatulence and cleanse the digestive system. Also, it’s believed to relieve menstrual pain. The active component of Asafoetida, coumarins can thin the blood and is believed to be anti-coagulant. Also, helps lower blood pressure.

Turmeric Turmeric was once called a poor man’s saffron, but now we know how incredibly healing and powerful this spice truly is. Curcumin is the active compound in turmeric that is powerfully anti-inflammatory as well as rich in antioxidants. Curcumin has powerful antioxidant effects. It neutralizes free radicals on its own, and then stimulates the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis and is in some cases more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.

Ginger Chewing raw ginger or drinking ginger tea is a common home remedy for nausea during cancer treatment. It reduces the symptoms of dysmenorrhoea (severe pain during a menstrual cycle). Ginger is commonly used to treat various types of stomach problems including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, nausea caused by cancer treatment, nausea and vomiting after surgery, as well as loss of appetite.Other uses include pain relief from arthritis or muscle soreness, menstrual pain, upper respiratory tract infections, cough, and bronchitis.

Garlic It has been used as a medicine to prevent or treat a wide range of diseases and conditions. Garlic is used for many conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, heart attack, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It is also used to prevent colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer. It is also used to treat prostate cancer and bladder cancer.

Black peppercorns Also known as Kali Mirch (Indian name). Piperine is the active ingredient in black pepper, and it has been shown to jumpstart digestion, prevent certain cancers and heart disease, lower blood pressure, and prevent arthritis. It has cholesterol lowering properties and help in cardiac function recovery especially after a heart attack. Overnight soaked peppercorns if consumed next day while having breakfast relieves migraine problem for most of them. The antibacterial property of black pepper helps to fight against infections and insect bites.

Cardamom Cardamom also known as Elaichi. They are believed to stimulate appetite and enhance digestion. It helps in stimulation and regular excretion of gastric juices. It helps in balancing these acids in cases of acidity, thus providing relief during heart burns, flatulence, stomach cramps, hiccups, nausea, vomiting and constipation. It is also valued for improving oral hygiene and eradicate fowl breathe. Carom seeds: These tiny seeds are popularly known as Ajwain or bishop’s weed in India. Ajwain contains high levels of thymol, a compound, which aids the release of gastric juices from the stomach which makes Ajwain`excellent indigestion reliever. To add more, it helps to deal with flatulence, nausea and colicky pain in babies. Ajwain has properties that help reduce inflammation and soothes irritated nerves. Because of this, it acts a great remedy to stop hiccups.

Cinnamon Commonly known as Dalchini. It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial and anti-clotting factor. Cinnamon reduces total and bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases good cholesterol (HDL). It also helps improve insulin resistance and improves glucose tolerance in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, thereby making it useful in diabetes management. Consuming Cinnamon plus honey has many benefits one of which is that it increases body’s metabolism and also helps in relieving gas and acidity.

Clove Clove or Laung is a pungent aromatic floral bud. The most prominent and common use of clove is alleviating symptoms of toothache and dental decay. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic components present in clove helps to reduce the swelling around an infected tooth and relieve pain. It’s antiseptic property will help fight the infection in the affected area and prevent it from spreading. Apart from this, Eugenol present in clove prevents clotting as well.

Load up your kitchen with these spices and enjoy!