The benefits of herbs and spices
Growing up in an Indian home … herbs and spices … were always a part of home and healing remedies: Haldi doodh or turmeric milk for body aches … clove oil for toothaches … freshly grated ginger in adrak ki chai on cold mornings … high doses of green leafy veggies for anyone anemic. My mother made the traditional palak paneer and palak chicken. But she was also a brilliant baker who used veggies, spices, and herbs to heal certain health conditions and honored what was available in the season.
From lowering congestion to improving digestion to reducing inflammation to alleviating bloating to helping with insomnia to balancing gut flora, herbs offer a natural and holistic approach to nurturing your gut health. You don’t necessarily have to cook with them. You can drink herbal teas or bake with them or take them as herbal formulations or apply them to your skin (One example would be herbal Ayurvedic oils).
Ginger: From an Ayurvedic perspective, ginger is a superfood, particularly useful for digestion, respiration, colds, nausea, arthritis, migraines, hypertension, and joint pain. It also helps lower swelling as well as inflammation. Both fresh and dried ginger are used to settle the stomach and for motion or airsickness. Ayurvedic texts also recommend ginger for therapeutic use for joint discomfort. It’s been used in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis as well as Osteoarthritis. Ginger is also a culinary spice and ginger can cut down on fermentation, constipation and other causes of bloating and intestinal gas.
Turmeric: The turmeric-craze and the obsession with the spice, in the United States, is relatively new. But turmeric has been a staple spice in Indian cooking and Ayurvedic healing for thousands of years. It has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties including strengthening the overall energy of the body, relieving gas, dispelling worms, improving digestion, regulating menstruation, dissolving gallstones, and relieving arthritis.[1] Turmeric is used in Ayurveda to balance all three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha. In Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is a well-documented treatment for various respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, bronchial hyperreactivity, and allergy), as well as for liver disorders, anorexia, rheumatism, diabetic wounds, runny nose, cough, and sinusitis (Araujo and Leon 2001).
Green Cardamom: In her handbag, my mom carried a gorgeous, small silver box, in which she carried a few spices. Green cardamom was one of them. Mom battled travel sickness and green cardamom lowers travel sickness and any nausea associated with it. My cup of masala chai has lots of green cardamom and fresh ginger. I am a purist so if you add any other spice to my masala chai, I will roll my eyes. Green cardamom or choti elaichi is useful if you have bad breath. Just chew on it and swallow the juice. The aromatic spice acts as a digestive aid and improves the functioning of the lungs. It is beneficial for reducing bloating, burning sensation, and gastritis as well as for tackling inflammatory conditions.
Cinnamon: Come fall and pumpkin latte with cinnamon becomes a rage amongst youngsters. Cinnamon, considered heating in Ayurveda, warms your blood and improves circulation. Ayurveda defines cinnamon as “Tvak.” Like most pungent spices, cinnamon rekindles agni or the digestive fire. Cinnamon’s anti-microbial qualities also reduce gas and fermentation in the GI tract. Cinnamon also helps with the common cold and to clear respiratory passageways. It is considered beneficial in treating various conditions like oedema, flu, indigestion, cough etc., and has been used in Chinese Medicine for circulatory disorders. Its pungent spiciness warms up the lungs and liquefies mucus congestion. Cinnamon contains compounds that can naturally regulate insulin and help lower blood sugar levels. Sprinkle on your baked goods, on oatmeal, yogurt, or add it to your tea or coffee.
Clove: Clove, also called lavang in Ayurveda, is mostly used as a cooking spice, an oral remedy, and in herbal teas. When I recently had a tooth episode, the number of people (from different cultures) who recommended I apply clove oil to lower dental pain … it was unbelievable. Cloves numb the mouth and are used topically for toothache. Clove also makes an excellent digestive remedy. My mom would ask us to carry cloves with us in our bags and chew on a few if one started to cough as clove reduces the severity of coughs. It also clears phlegm in the lungs. Cloves are a strong diaphoretic and vasodilator—brings blood and heat back to the exterior of the body for cleansing and sweating-out a fever. It also improves digestion.
Caution and Conclusion
Ayurvedic herbs and spices are potent. They can alleviate your symptoms but also aggravate them. Meaning, while these herbs offer numerous health benefits, it is important to consider individual doshic imbalances, sensitivities, intolerances, and any interference with your prescribed western medication. Always consult with an Ayurvedic Doctor or practitioner, so they can provide personalized advice and dosage recommendations based on your unique needs and existing health condition.
Disclaimer: The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. The information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.
