Spices are a wonderful way to enhance the flavor of the food we eat but did you know that spices are actually used to heal the body as well? Spices originated in India, Indonesia and other parts of south and southeast Asia as early as 2600BCE. It is from these countries that spices were introduced to the eastern Mediterranean such as countries like Syria and Egypt and the rest of the world. Spices are pieces of root, bark, seeds or other parts of a plant that have been dried.
Spices contain an abundance of phytonutrients, plant compounds that bestow health and promote healing in a variety of ways. Most spices are powerful antioxidants that control and disarm the free radicals that can damage cells, causing illness and aging. Phytonutrients are anti- inflammatory and chronic low grade inflammation has been linked to the development of debilitating and deadly health problems. There have been documented research studies that show that people that eat a diet rich in spices have lower rates of certain diseases. An example of this is the United States has a colon cancer rate three times that of India, which is well known for its spicy cuisine. India also has one of the world’s lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease. In Ayurveda, which originates from India, herbs and spices may be suggested to the client to aid in healing and maintaining balance within the body and mind with the goal of keeping the client free of illness and disease.
What I would like to share with you are some of the benefits the spices that you may have in your kitchen are to your overall health and well-being. My goal is to let you know that when you spice it up a bit you begin a natural healing method that can bring wellness to your life.
- All Spice ~ this spice is just one spice and not a mixture of many, as it is believed to be. It contains more than two dozen compounds with an even greater variety of healing actions, making it a genuine all- round curative. It is grown in Jamaica and is a bit spicy, warm and aromatic. It is a powerful antioxidant.
- Bay Leaves ~ these leaves come from the Laurel tree in California. It contains over 80 active compounds of antioxidants that it uses to help keep disease at bay. Bay leaves are known to assist with decreasing elevated blood sugar levels such as in Type 2 Diabetes as well as lowering “LDL” the bad cholesterol and raising “HDL” the good cholesterol. These leaves have a bitter flavor and are great for using in tomato sauces.
- Cayenne Pepper ~ is made from the dry ground up pod of a chili pepper. It has spicy heat and is commonly associated with Mexican cooking. It is also widely used in Thailand, India, Turkey, Southern Italy and Spain. Great for bringing heat to a dish.
- Cinnamon ~ this spice is great for balancing blood sugar and is most effective on people with Type 2 Diabetes. This spice also has heart protecting power due to its ability to assist with decreasing “LDL” the bad cholesterol as well as assisting with dropping triglycerides. It is wonderful for stopping spikes in blood sugar after eating a meal. Cinnamon has a sweet-spicy taste and is derived from a tropical evergreen tree.
- Ginger ~ is my favorite spice for quieting that queasy feeling that can come from nausea or motion sickness. Ginger comes from Asia and is sometimes referred to as “the hand” because of its shape. Ginger is used in Asian cooking and taste delicious in stir- fry dishes. It has a hot, pungent taste. It is also great for nausea after surgery or chemotherapy-induced nausea. Ginger is rich in phytonutrients called gingerols, which are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral and anti-disease.
As you can see this is just the beginning the the healing benefits of using spices in the food that you eat. There are so many spices to learn about, use and enjoy that I could actually write a book about them. My first suggestion for you however would be to begin experimenting with the spices listed above and then add to your spice collection, as you get more comfortable utilizing them in your cooking, get a good resource book that gives you some information about the healing benefits of spice, preferably an Ayurvedic book and just dive in. Be free and let your taste buds guide you to a life of “spicy healing.”
Wishing you much health and wellness!
Namaste,
Rochele Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS
The Queen of Feeling Fabulous
Blissful Living 4U 
I’m all about the Sriracha sauce
I’m all about the Sriracha sauce.
Please let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for
your blog. You have some really great articles and I feel I would be
a good asset. If you ever want to take some of
the load off, I’d love to write some articles for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please send me an email if interested. Kudos!
It’s perfect time to make a few plans for the future and
it’s time to be happy. I have read this publish
and if I could I desire to counsel you few
fascinating things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles regarding this article.
I wish to learn even more things about it!
Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I actually enjoyed reading
it, you’re a great author. I will always bookmark your blog and definitely will come back very soon.
I want to encourage that you continue your great work,
have a nice holiday weekend!
I like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly.
I am quite sure I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
I am regular reader, how are you everybody?
This paragraph posted at this website is genuinely pleasant.
Hi! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my good
old room mate! He always kept chatting about this.
I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have
a good read. Thanks for sharing!
I drop a leave a response whenever I appreciate a post on a
site or I have something to contribute to the conversation. Usually it’s a result
of the fire displayed in the article I browsed. And on this article Spice up your eating
and Improve your Health | ayurveda healing. I was excited enough to drop a leave a responsea response 🙂 I actually do have some questions for
you if it’s okay. Could it be only me or does it seem like some
of the responses come across like written by brain dead folks?
😛 And, if you are posting on other social sites,
I would like to keep up with you. Could you make a list
every one of your social sites like your Facebook page, twitter feed, or linkedin profile?
My brother recommended I might like this website.
He used to be entirely right. This submit actually made my
day. You cann’t believe just how much time I
had spent for this information! Thank you!
you are really a just right webmaster. The site loading pace is amazing.
It seems that you’re doing any unique trick. Furthermore, The contents are masterpiece.
you’ve done a magnificent activity on this matter!
I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative
and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the
head. The problem is something which too few folks are speaking intelligently about.
I’m very happy that I found this during my hunt for something concerning this.
It is not my first time to pay a quick visit this site, i am browsing this website dailly and
obtain nice facts from here everyday.
Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It in truth was a enjoyment account it.
Glance advanced to more added agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep in touch?
I got this website from my pal who told me regarding this website and now this time I am visiting this web site and reading very informative content here.
This website was… how do you say it? Relevant!!
Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Thank you!
I got this site from my pal who shared with me on the topic of
this website and now this time I am visiting this site and
reading very informative content at this time.
This is very fascinating, You’re an excessively professional blogger.
I’ve joined your rss feed and sit up for in the hunt
for extra of your fantastic post. Additionally, I’ve shared your web site
in my social networks