Know Your Spices

Spice up Your health

Spices Can enliven our meals,but many of them have surprising health and healing benefits ,too


Care for your spices

*Buy whole dries spices because it retains aroma and flavour and beneficial compounds longer than ground spices.
* Ground the spices whenevr needed for more fresh aroma and flavour and also its much cheeper than ground one
*Best  kept in air tight containers cool dry dark conditions
*Use opaque containers not glass to store spices as they detriorate rapidly in the light but in my pantry I still use glass containers becuase its all in in dark storage pantry.





1.Chillies


Fiery chillies pack a nutritional as well as a taste punch.Their distinctive heat produced by compound called Capsaicin is known to releive the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis.Capsacin is an anti-coagulant that can help protect against Blood clots,heart attack and stroke.It can also block the production of cancer cells.

Red chillies contain high levels of Vitamin C and carotenes to help prevent nasal and lung congestion.Eating chillies can help reduce the amount of insulin required to lower blood sugar after meals,which could help people with insulin resistance or diabetes and chillies may incerase the metabolic rate slightly-useful for slimmers.They also simulate production of endorphins the brains mood enhancers.


Tips

*There are many varieties of chillies

*Fresh green chillies are milder than red ones for a milder taste,remove and discard the seeds before using.

*The hotter the chillies ,The more Capsaicin

*Chillies used in different forms for different flavours as Dried chillies and ground chillies



2.Ginger

Brown root ginger many health properties and it has many many beneficial compounds in it.The compounds are Terpenes and Gingerols, which have anti cancer properties and have been  shown to destroy colon rectal and ovarian cancer cells.

Gingerols have a powerful anti-inflamatory action-in trials,ginger improved pain and swelling in up to 75 percent of people with arthritis-it can also improve mobility.

Ginger is remedy for nausea,Morning sickness,motion sickness,it also help prevent indigestion,eliminates flatulence and may ease migarne.


Tips

* Fresh ginger contains highest level of beneficial compounds than ground one

* fresh ginger can be peeled grated and chopped,

*Ginger is one of the main ingredient of Indian and chinese cooking

* Make a soothing ginger drink by combining ginger,lemon,honey and hot water

*Also make a nice Ginger tea



3.Turmeric


* The deep yello root turmeric contains strong healing properties.It contains volatile oils and Curcumin-The yellow/orange pigment-have been shown to offer a level of protection against inflamatory diseases that's comparable to modern anti-infalmatory drugs. Curcumin is powerful antioxident,neutralising free radicals in the body that are linked to major diseases such as cancer and heart disease and to ageing.

* It may help prevent colon,breast and prostate cancer,The compound may also lower total blood cholestrol and LDL cholestrol and increase HDL cholestrol .




Tips


* Ground turmeric is a key ingredient of most curry powder blends.
   You can creat  your own Combination.
* It can be used colour savouryrice instead of the more expensive saffron
* Add a little to youghurt for healthy dip

4.Cinnamon

*Cinnamon bark contains several volatile oils and compounds including cinamaldehyde,cinnamyl acetate,cinnamyl alcohol all of which has beneficial  actions.
* Cinnamon was used to treat colds,poor circulation and menopausal symptoms has been shown lower blood sugars and beat sugar cravings.
* This spice is also a digestive aid,relieving bloating and flautulence and it can reduce the discomfort of  heartburn.
*It has antbacterial action and can block the yeast fungus,candida and bugs that can cause food poisoning.
* Cinnamoaldehyde has an antiblood cloting action,so it may help protect against strokes.Its an anti  Inflamatory and can help relieve symptoms of arthritis and asthma.

Tips

*whole cinnamon sticks will retain the flavour and aroma for a year .you can grind the sticks yourself at home  saving Cost by not buying expensive ground cinnamon but if you are lazy you've got no chioce.

*Cinnamon sticksworks well with chicken,meat,port and lamb.

*Ground cinnamon is a good addition to cakes,desserts,pastries,biscuits,coffee and curry powder



5.Cumin


*Cumin belongs to the pasrsley family and the seeds are warm and spicy not hot
*Good apetiser and digestive
*Cumin stimulates the secretion of pancreatice enzymes necessary for efficient digestion and nutrient absorption
*It's been researched for its antioxident properties and it may help block cancer growth
*It also boost the livers ability to detoxify the body and has an antiseptic action.
*The seeds are rich in iron for healthy blood


Tips

*Essential ingredient for curry powder
*Can be added on any vegetable
*An infusion of cumin seeds with honeyin a warm water is An ideal drink if you have sore
 throat



6.Coriander (Cilantro)

*Coriander has been used as a folk medicine for the relief of anxiety and insomnia

*Coriander seeds are used in traditional Indian medicine as a diuretic by boiling equal
  amounts of coriander seeds and cumin seeds, then cooling and consuming the resulting
  liquid.. In holistic and traditional medicine.

  *it is used as a carminative and as a digestive aid A carminative, also known as
    carminativum (plural  carminativa), is an herb or preparation that either prevents
    formation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract or facilitates the expulsion of said gas, thereby
    combating flatulence .

*Coriander juice (mixed with turmeric powder or mint juice) is used as a treatment for acne,
  applied to the face in the manner of toner

* Coriander can produce an allergic reaction in some people

*Coriander roots have a deeper, more intense flavor than the leaves. They are used in a variety of Asian cuisines. They are commonly used in Thai dishes, including soups and curry
 pastes.

* Fresh leaves are used for garnishing,in currys,chutney and pickle too..

* it contains vitamin A is a vitamin which is needed by the retina of the eye in the form of a specific  metabolite and Vitamin C ,a antioxident which may help prevent cancer

* coriander seed (Dhania) is a spice used in sambhar,rasam ,currys, and in garam masala



* Anti bacterial