How These Top 5 Indian Spices Benefit You

Indian spices are very famous all over the world for their natural aroma, colour and taste, leaving your taste buds asking for more. But do you know how it benefits your health? Let’s have a look at some of the most common Indian spices with their medicinal assistances:

1. Turmeric

A member of the ginger family, this vividly orange spice not only makes your platter colourful, but also adds up with several health benefits of immense importance. According to the National Institute of Health, turmeric serves to treat stomach pain, arthritis, heartburn, stomach pain, intestinal gas, bloating, diarrhoea, and loss of appetite. Turmeric efficiently combats issues like dermatitis, skin inflammation, ringworm and infected wounds.

2. Black Pepper

Black pepper, little pepper corns that largely connect with Indian cooking, have their most primitive roots in India. Today, they have become one of the world’s most traded spices, commonly found in various European dishes. Black pepper is a rich source of vitamin-C, vitamin K, dietary fibres and minerals like iron, potassium, manganese. It will effectively help you fight against diseases like respiratory disorders, common cough and cold, cardiac problems, anaemia, impotency. Besides, black peppers are known to provide relief from constipation, diarrhoea, indigestion, dental problems and pyorrhea. Interestingly, when applied topically, black peppers also help in arresting profuse bleeding from any cut.

3. Cardamom

People from several parts of India commonly use cardamom in various platters. These green pods are very famous for their unique aroma that adds special taste to the dish.  Did you know that the main benefit of this spice lies in the tiny pods that reside inside the outer green cover? This Indian spice efficiently counteracts a number of digestive disorders, including, gas, bloating, loss of appetite, heartburn. Besides, you can also use it as mouth freshener to treat bad breath. More interestingly, cardamom has also been considered to combat cancer, especially non-melanoma skin cancer. However, further research is needed before recommending cardamom to treat cancer.   

4. Clove

This little bud resembling a tiny flower has been a common spice not only in India but in parts of Africa as well as the Middle East. Being rich in several minerals and vitamins, clove involves numerous health benefits.  Some of the minerals present in cloves are calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, phosphorous and zinc. Besides, cloves are a rich source of vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, thiamin, vit c, folate and vitamin B6, B12, A, E, D & K.   Various parts of clove like the stems, flower buds and also the oil has been used in a range of medicines. Clove is excellent in improving digestion; it is quite effective in controlling cancerous growth, protecting the hepatic system, improving the immune system, controlling blood sugar level. It is quite effective in treating headaches and oral diseases whilst exhibiting aphrodisiac properties as well. Clove is possibly effective in helping with premature ejaculation. When applied topically, clove oil is quite effective against pain and can also proficiently treated stomach issues like diarrhoea, nausea and flatulence.

5. Cinnamon

Originating from Sri Lanka, this bark-like spice has been valued for its powerful medicinal properties for years. Cinnamon consists of a compound known as cinnamaldehyde which actually accounts for most of the influential effects of cinnamon on your metabolism and health. Based on the theory of boosting the insulin action, cinnamon might aid in treating type 2 diabetes. So if you are diabetic then going add 1 GM of cinnamon to your diet on a regular basis. Besides, if you are a heart patient you can effectively try cinnamon. It has been known to reduce high blood pressure.  Another interesting fact about this spice is that it effectively improves the condition of patients having Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

Try these spices, but make sure to take your physician’s advice prior to use, particularly when you are under any medications. The information provided here is not aimed at aiding, curing, aid, or preventing any disease.

This article was first published in KenFolios Health - Be Informed Be Healthy