Healthy Spices - Knowledge from Ancient Times
For thousands of years, healthy spices have been used for the color and flavor they add to food, as well as for medicinal purposes. Many spices have become popular due to their healing properties and ability to protect the body against pathogens. 1 The ancient spice trade of Asia was one of the most powerful economic influences of the time and drove the economy throughout the Middle Ages and into modern times. Taxes were often collected in the form of spices which were at times valued as highly as gold. During the middle ages, the most popular healthy spices were saffron, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. And even today, by far the largest producers of the world’s spices are India and China.2 The knowledge of using herbs and spices has been passed down from Persian, Greek, and Roman herbalists. Benedictine monks in Italy were instrumental in preserving this knowledge throughout the Dark Ages when it was nearly lost. Gaining a share in the spice trade was part of the motivation behind Columbus’ voyage that led to the discovery of the New World. This valuable knowledge is taken as commonplace in the Western world today. Herbs and spices are mass produced and marketed using conventional methods. These industrialized forms of seasoning and spices often contain fillers, anti-caking agents, artificial coloring, preservatives, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and pesticide residues. Thus it’s important to look for organically grown, non-irradiated healthy spices and herbs in your local natural foods store or to order them online from a reputable source like Mountain Rose Herbs.  There are many varieties and types of healthy spices. Here we will cover four of the most cleansing and healing spices – cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and cayenne. They each have powerful cleansing properties and will help protect your body from modern toxins. Cinnamon Cinnamon is one of the oldest healthy spices known. Ancient demand for it by the Egyptians is said to have sparked the spice trade. It is the aromatic inner bark of a tropical evergreen laurel species, the cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum from the Arabic term for fragrant spice plant), native to India and Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The Indian variety (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is known as “true cinnamon” and is sweeter and more subtle than the Chinese variety (Cinnamomum cassia). You can choose either variety when you order online at Mountain Rose Herbs. For use in teas and soups you can choose cinnamon sticks. Cinnamon powder has a more concentrated flavor and is great for use in baked goods, smoothies and for flavoring dishes like porridge and granola. Everyone knows the fragrant spicy flavor of cinnamon because it is so popular in baked goods as well as puddings, pies, curries, and pilafs. But most people do not know the powerful healing and detoxifying properties of this healthy spice. One of cinnamon’s best detox properties is in heating up digestive fire and promoting healthy digestion. It also has a natural cleansing action that stops the growth of microbes and kills bacteria and fungi. It acts as a pain reliever as wells as strengthens and energizes tissue. When eaten with carbohydrates it slows the rate of absorption reducing the rise in blood sugar.3 Cinnamon has also been shown to boost brain function simply through its smell! Additionally, it is known in Chinese Medicine for its warming qualities. In this tradition, cinnamon has been used to provide relief when faced with the onset of a cold or flu, especially when mixed in a tea with fresh ginger. Cardamom and clove are healthy spices often added to this remedy as well. Ginger Root Ginger is another of the healthy spices that is warming and promotes digestion and cleansing. The fresh root of the ginger plant is aromatic, pungent and spicy.
It has been used for many centuries to aid in gastrointestinal distress. It alleviates symptoms of bloating, gas, nausea, and dizzyness – whether caused by motion sickness, pregnancy or detoxing. Ginger, (Zingiber officinale), derives its name from a Sanskrit word meaning “horn-root” and is native to India. It has since been cultivated in China, Africa, Jamaica and the West Indies. A tropical plant, the best ginger reputedly comes from the island of Jamaica.1 Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and inhibits the formation of inflammatory compounds. For these reasons it helps with arthritis and joint pain. It is packed with antioxidants and has been shown to reduce colon and ovarian cancer. It boosts the immune system and is an effective remedy for coughs, congestion and sore throat.2 Make warm ginger tea using fresh slices of ginger boiled in water. The tea will promote cleansing through perspiration as well as relieve detox and cold symptoms. It promotes heat, neutralizes toxins and affects a systematic cleansing through the skin, bowels and kidneys. It is also said to be useful for menstrual cramps and suppressed menstruation. It is used in our recipe for detox tea as well as our prescription for a purifying ginger detox bath. Turmeric (or Tumeric) Turmeric is a root that also comes from the ginger family. Its formal name, Curcuma longa, comes from the Arabic word for golden saffron which is the world’s most expensive spice. Turmeric, also bright yellow in color, is much more widely available and is a suitable substitute for the coveted saffron threads (hand-picked stigmas of which there are only three per flower). Both of these golden healthy spices were traditionally used to color cloth as well as season food and for medicinal benefits.As a spice, turmeric is normally purchased dried, either whole or ground. It has a delicate buttery, peppery and mustard-like taste. It is best known as a primary ingredient in curry, and gives it the unmistakable color as well as warm, rich flavor. Like ginger, turmeric is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. It is also a blood purifier, has soothing action on respiratory ailments and improves liver function. It also helps the body to digest proteins and mixed with coriander and cumin aids in the digestion of complex carbohydrates. Turmeric is said to create glowing skin, reduce risk of cancer, lower cholesterol and improve brain function. It certainly pays off to enhance the flavor of your food with this powerful spice! If you order a quantity of high quality turmeric, like that available from Mountain Rose Herbs, store it in the freezer to maintain its freshness, flavor and healing properties. Add turmeric to your soups, steamed vegetables, stir-fry or even sprinkled on raw vegetables or fruit. If you purchase a prepared curry blend, add more turmeric as there is often minimal turmeric in the store bought blends. Or better yet, make your own curry blend by mixing six parts turmeric, four parts cumin, and one part each cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, black pepper, ground fenugreek, and powdered ginger.1 Cayenne Pepper Cayenne peppers (Capsicum annuum) are a fiery pepper that comes from the warmest regions of Asia and South America. They derived their popular name from the Cayenne Island, capital of French Guiana on the northeast coast of South America.
This hot pungent spice is made from the dried pods of the pepper plant and ranges in color from orange-red to deep red. Sometimes simply called “red pepper” it should be used delicately and respectfully so as not to overpower the taste of prepared dishes. Paprika is the mildest form of cayenne and also has the highest vitamin C content. Cayenne peppers stimulate natural warmth and improve circulation. They clear congestion, fight inflammation, aid digestion, prevent stomach ulcers, cleanse the large intestine and sweat glands, kill worms and parasites, and boost immunity. They are helpful in weight loss because they produce heat and burn calories by increasing the metabolism for up to 20 minutes after consumption. 3 Keep cayenne on the table to sprinkle on foods or add to your vegetables, beans and soups. The popular Master Cleanse Lemonade uses cayenne for extra zest and detox action. It is also useful to carry cayenne with you to add to foods when traveling in third world countries as it protects against amoebic dysentery. 1 Again, make sure to use the highest quality healthy spices available to add flavor, zest and extra healing and cleansing properties to your food. 1Whole Foods Companion: A Guide for Adventurous Cooks, Curious Shoppers, and Lovers of Natural Foods, by Dianne Onstad Whole Body Detox Diet Store Return from Healthy Spices to Detox Foods Return to Home Page |
