As we all know every Country is known for their specific spice palettes.
My mother Country Greece, is known for spices like: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, mastic, mahlep, oregano and others for healing and flavoring to our foods.
In India (my husband's country) There are hundreds of aromatics spices that waken your senses of taste with feels of unimaginable flavors. Aside from incredible flavors these spices provide so many healing properties such as reducing inflammation, and nausea, cancer prevention and slew of other diseases. These ancient ways of healing are still as imperative to our diets as ever. Here are a few of the most power immune boosting spices you might want to add to your food rituals:
TURMERIC:
This superfood spice should be on everyone's list. Turmeric has super healing and anti-inflammatory powers. Curcumin is the active compound of Turmeric, it's rich in antioxidants. it's also a good alternative for people with inflammatory issues and has powerful anti-cancer effects. Turmeric has been known to beat colitis, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, gout, eczema, gum disease, psoriasis, high blood pressure, macular degeneration and so much more.
GINGER:
Ginger is known for Its rich phytonutrient properties. It's most popular use is for combating Nausea and for tummy issues. Ginger is also known for it's antiviral and antibacterial effects. It can be used for migraines, heartburn, asthma, arthritis, high blood pressure, and cancer. Ginger can be added to so many dishes, and teas. It's truly a wonder drug!!
BLACK PEPPER:
I'm lucky enough to eat fresh pepper from my husband's Plantation back in India. It's one of the most common spices used in every day cooking and can be found in everyone's spice rack. Black pepper has some great healing powers as well and gives you even more of an incentive to add to your daily regimen. It's high in antioxidants and has high anti-inflammatory properties. It's good for digestion, heart disease, can prevent arthritis, can also help with allergies, improve with brain function, improve blood sugar control, may lower cholesterol, and prevent cancer.
OREGANO:
If you've ever gone to Greece, you might see and smell oregano growing wild in the fields. Oregano has so many healing properties and is a wonderful spice to incorporate into your food and even grow inside your home. It can be an effective natural antibiotic, and contains large amounts of fungal properties. It can help with weight loss and help reduce your cholesterol. Oregano can also help calm colitis, can support the liver, and has the highest concentration of antioxidants.
Oregano can also be used for gut health (it's my go to when my gut acts up) and also helps with relieving pain.
STAR ANISE:
Star Anise looks exactly how it's named. This is another spice in my cabinet that comes from my husband's family plantation in India. It has a distinct taste of black licorice and can be used in a variety of foods for baking and can even be steeped in tea. Star Anise contain rich and powerful bioactive compounds. They have a large supply of polyphenols and flavonoids which gives this spice a numerous amount of medicinal benefits. It can be used to treat influenza, may treat urinary tract infections, can reduce the growth of E coli, it's found to inhibit Epstein Barr virus, tooth decay, HIV, Hepatitis B, and even Herpes simplex 1. It can also treat respiratory infections, and digestive issues.
SAFFRON:
Is the gold of the spices. The world's most expensive spice is harvested by the crocus flower. Originated in Greece, Saffron was widely used and revered for it's medicinal properties for mood, libido and memory. It's also a powerful antioxidant which can protect your cells from oxidative stress and free radicals. This healing spice may also help with depression, inflammation, appetite, weight loss. It also has anti-cancer properties and may reduce pms symptoms.
CINNAMON:
Has powerful medicinal properties. Who doesn't love Cinnamon? it's used in almost every global cuisine known to mankind. And who wouldn't want to indulge in some rice pudding with cinnamon sprinkled on top? YUM!!. This wonderful spice contains a large quantity of antioxidants and polyphenols which may help reduce inflammation, and heart disease. It may also help manage your cholesterol levels and can dramatically reduce insulin resistance. This powerful spice may also help fight bacterial and fungal infections, and help combat the HIV virus. Cinnamon is so delicious and so damn good for you.
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