Spices: The Superheroes of the Indian Kitchen

Your kitchen is an exciting place, don’t you think?  

So much action takes place over here on a daily basis—from cutting-chopping-grinding to mixing tossing-frying! Right? And, in all your culinary adventures, what stands as your team of  superheroes is the group of spices, which not only help you in preparing flavoursome food  but also in fighting off many ailments like a pro! Each one of these spices boasts of many unique properties, making them just right for reaping different health benefits too.

Let’s discover more about the role of spices and how each one of them helps!  

Wholesome Role of Spices 

As spices are drawn from various parts of plants like bud, bark, root, flower, and fruits, they are a good  source of vitamins B and C, iron, calcium, and other antioxidants. That is perhaps why, they are also used extensively by many industries like medical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, perfumery, and many more, apart from being used exclusively for cooking.  

Many studies have shown that spices have anti-proliferative, anti-hypercholesterolemia, anti-diabetic,  and anti-inflammatory effects on human health. That is why, they help in curing many diseases like  diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis cancer, and AIDS.  

Let’s see some of the main spices and what makes them heroic in their own way.  

1. The Curative Cinnamon 

So far, you may only be adding cinnamon to your curries, pulao, and other dishes for its aromatic and refreshing taste because undoubtedly it adds a lot of character to any dish. But the good news is that research on this woody spice tells us that it is also diabetic-friendly and if you show symptoms of insulin resistance, cinnamon will help reduce it.  

Besides this, cinnamon also helps against indigestion, common cold, diarrhea, poor blood circulation and tension during menstruation. It shows expansive scope in the treatment of joint inflammation, looseness of the bowels, and different menstrual issues. Cinnamon is also successful in improving blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon concentrate could decrease FBG level in type 2 diabetic patients. 

2. The Courageous Cloves  

Clove contains anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. Due to these healthy  characteristics, they are an important ingredient in natural toothpastes. They also help against issues like acne, pimples, and skin irritation. Additionally, they also support memory and blood dissemination and are good for the heart, liver, and stomach. They also help fix numerous stomach related issues like stomach ulcers, tooting, and dyspepsia by activating your body’s catalysts and improving assimilation. As a result of the sterile and germicidal advantages of cloves, they help battle  contaminations like cold, influenza and bronchitis. 

What’s more? Well, if you are feeling nauseous after indulging in too much food or alcohol, cloves can also put you at ease. They will relieve you from vomiting, indigestion, an upset digestive tract and loose motions. So, it’s a good idea to keep cloves close at hand! 

3. The Humble Cumin 

Think cumin, and you begin to smell that unique aroma that tempered jeera adds to your dal fry. But this humble spice has so much more to it than you may know. It contains high protein properties along with essential amino acids, due to which it offers many restorative benefits. It has antimicrobial characteristics and is therefore used in the treatment of mellow stomach-related issues. The seeds itself and its refined sweet-smelling water are utilised as a stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative, antimicrobial,  against inflammatory, and wound-mending operator. Other than being used a spice, it is also helpful  against problems like tooth pain, dyspepsia, and jaundice as well.  

Further, cumin seeds can also reduce your chances of anaemia and alleviate common cold. Adding to the long list of benefits, jeera can also reduce the problem of piles, and may even be used as a laxative. It also provides your body with iron, manganese that helps in the absorption of calcium and controls blood pressure.  

4. The Friendly Fenugreek  

Fenugreek, also known as ground seeds are an imperative element of curry powders, many Asian sauces, chutneys, pickles, and even halva. It works against gastric aggravation and is even considered as a stomach-related tonic. Fenugreek mainly contains three significant concoction constituents which have restorative worth, namely (1) steroidal sapogenins, (2) galactomannans, and (3) isoleucine. These constituents are seen to work in a synergistic manner and help restore wellbeing.  

Fenugreek also works in case of diseases like skin irritations, tuberculosis, cancer, and diabetes. It has especially been known as a ground-breaking galactagogue and is therefore, good for lactating mothers. 

You can find more about such wholesome and healthy spices HERE in the second part of this article.

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Kanika Sethi is a certified holistic healer at RachnaRestores and you can find more details about her HERE. For more such articles and content on health & wellness, don’t forget to follow us!