We’ve all heard a lot about superfoods, right?
The most powerful superfood of all, of course, is my Micronized Purple Rice powder! With all its polysaccharides, polypeptides, and anthocyanins, it is truly a superfood for all.
But what about the spices and herbs we cook with? Even though the amount we put into foods is generally small, these potent plant substances are so powerful that they provide a lot of great health benefits.
Spices and herbs can help with everything from weight loss to diabetes and heart disease — and some can even help fight cancer.
This week I’m covering spices, and next week I’ll discuss culinary herbs. The difference is that spices come from roots, seeds, and bark, whereas herbs come from a plant’s leaves.
Spices also generally come from tropical climates, whereas herbs hail from temperate areas of the world.
I already discussed turmeric in a recent blog post, so I won’t be covering it here, but there are many other healthful spices to consider.
1. Caraway seeds
With their strong antifungal and anti-yeast properties, caraway seeds can be simmered with milk and honey for use as a natural remedy for colic in babies.
The essential oil of caraway seeds has been used medicinally for centuries. It is a powerful disinfectant and antiseptic.
Used with honey, this potent oil is known for helping increase milk production in lactating mothers, with a side benefit that the baby will have less gas and indigestion.
Whole caraway seeds are known for flavoring rye bread, but they have other uses as well. I like to toss them in with steamed broccoli to add flavor. It’s great on roasted veggies as well.
2. Cardamom
This pungent Asian spice is a potent antioxidant that has many health benefits. Known as the Queen of Spices, cardamom is the third most expensive spice, after saffron and vanilla. And like its relative, ginger, cardamom is very helpful with digestive issues.
It also helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health, helps prevent cancer, and even helps with oral health and urinary tract infections.
3. Cayenne
This spicy red pepper contains capsaicin, which helps with weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing fat burning. It also may have anti-cancer properties (especially for skin and colon cancer) and helps boost immune function.
Cayenne also has a detoxifying effect, helping to rid the body of harmful fungi and other microbes. It’s part of the lemon cleanse that’s been so popular in the last few years.
Capsaicin, which is contained in many different pepper varieties, is also known for helping prevent LDL cholesterol from clogging arteries and may also help to prevent ulcers.
Even milder red peppers like paprika have many of the same benefits, so if you feel cayenne is too spicy, you can still reap the benefits of capsaicin by using paprika.
4. Cinnamon
This beloved favorite has many health benefits, but is probably best known for its ability to lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. In addition, it helps to lower LDL and triglycerides, and helps boost metabolism.
Cinnamon also has antiseptic properties, helping to cleanse the body of harmful microbes while leaving the helpful ones alone.
I like to add cinnamon to my smoothies and sprinkle it liberally on oatmeal or yogurt. It also makes an excellent finishing touch for coffee or hot chocolate. One other yummy favorite, especially with fall approaching, is to add it to hot cider. Cinnamon sticks work best for that.
You can even add cinnamon to savory dishes such as soup or chili!
5. Cloves
You may think of cloves as the spiky brown things poked into ham, but they actually have many health benefits.
Ground up, they have antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and antiseptic properties. They also help relieve flatulence and help promote good digestion. You can add them to your hot cider as well.
6. Cumin
Often used in chili and other Tex-Mex dishes, cumin can be used either powdered or as whole seeds. It is also used, along with turmeric and other spices, in curry powder.
Cumin helps with digestion as well as improving immunity. This nutty, peppery spice may even have anti-cancer benefits, especially for stomach or liver tumors.
7. Fenugreek
Thought to increase libido and masculine vitality, fenugreek was grown in Charlemagne’s imperial garden, possibly because it helps to increase testosterone. This aromatic herb was used by the ancient Egyptians as well.
Fenugreek also helps promote milk flow in lactating mothers, as well as helping diabetics to lower blood sugar and improve insulin function. It’s also good for menopause relief and digestive problems.
This rather unusual spice is often included in Indian dishes, such as curries. But in addition to adding flavor, it’s known for stimulating appetite, which can help people with anorexia.
8. Ginger
This spicy yellowish root has many, many health benefits. I love to include it in my juicing because of its cleansing effect. It’s known for helping alleviate colds and stomach discomfort, including nausea, heartburn, and bloating.
It also has a potent anti-inflammatory effect and may help fight colon cancer. Ginger can help with pain management, too, especially for osteoarthritis.
9. Mustard seed
These tiny yet powerful seeds help to reduce the severity of asthma and may protect against cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. They’re an excellent source of selenium, a known cancer fighter which also helps with asthma. They contain a fair amount of magnesium as well.
And, they’re a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are an important component of an anti-inflammation diet.
10. Nutmeg
Known for its use in pumpkin pie and other baked goods, nutmeg has many health benefits.
One of its key attributes is its helpfulness in detoxifying the body. It helps the liver and kidneys to expel toxins and impurities.
Nutmeg is also helpful as a sleep remedy, and it soothes digestion as well.
11. Saffron
The most expensive spice, saffron’s delicate orange tendrils have long been used in Persian cuisine. It is also what makes oh-so-tasty Spanish paella yellow.
But saffron is more than a flavor and color enhancer. This golden spice acts to lift mood, and may help relieve PMS and depression as well.
I feel in love with the spicy Indian Masala Chai years ago and I’m always looking for new recipes to make my own. I combine several of these spices in my homemade chai tea. Fresh ginger, star anise, cinnamon sticks, black peppercorns or cayenne, whole cloves, cardamon pods, water, honey and the milk of your choice- I use coconut as I’m dairy free, and black tea all combine to make this delicious drink. Healthy way to use these spices!
Thanks for this post, it is very helpful. I use some of these spices already, but I will be using more.
Ginger is one of my favorite spices . I make ginger tea with turmeric, honey, lemon, green tea, I drink this for pain. I use ginger in my stir fries with garlic. I also love cardamon in baked goods.
Very interesting
I love these spices you listed! I’ve been making tea with them for 50 years now! I use them in cooking and baking, also. My favorite is saffron, because it’s wonderful to put into almost every recipe and such a happy color! Instead of cayenne, I prefer smoked paprika.
My favorito spice is cinnamon I used it every morning in my coffee a Lao I used on my creams oatmeal or whatever cream and I used in the meat or chicken tasted so good also in infusions I love cinnamon I used many of that spices like clove cumin ginger nutmeg
what are your best herbs for scarring an wrinkles an some acne
Cummin
What about tumeric? I’ve heard it is really great for your body!