Why You Need Your Meal Spiced Up

The use and importance of herbs and spices have been incredibly important throughout history and cannot be overemphasized. Many were celebrated for their medicinal attributes before discoveries on their culinary uses. Modern science has now proved that many of them are carriers of remarkable health benefits.

The following herbs and spices have been proved by researchers to be beneficial to our health:

Peppermint

Do you often feel some discomfort in your stomach, and you’d feel like throwing up? This powerful mint plant may significantly cause some relief to your gastrointestinal tract, peppermint ranks high in control of nausea. In a study involving about 1,100 women in labor, peppermint aromatherapy aided significant reductions in nausea. It has also been known to limit nausea after surgery and Caesarian section (CS) births.

Peppermint has a very long history of use in human medicine and aromatherapy. As in the case with many herbs, the oily component/extract carries the agents responsible for the health benefits.

Many studies have claimed that peppermint oil may improve pain management in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It seems to work by relaxing the colon’s smooth epithelial muscles, which relieves the pain often experienced during movements in the bowel. It also reduces abdominal bloating (a common digestive symptom characterized by an accumulation of gases in the abdominal region of the body).

Sage

Consumption of sage can improve your brain function and enhance smart memory. The word “sage” gets its name from the Latin word Salvere, and this means “to save.”It had a reliable reputation for its healing potentials during the middle ages. Recent research indicates that sage may be able to boost brain function and memory, especially in Alzheimer’s disease patients.

Alzheimer’s disease is partly triggered by a drop in the level of acetylcholine (a chemical messenger present in the brain). Sage, therefore, inhibits the breakdown of acetylcholine. In a study on 42 individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, extract from sage plant was shown to aid significant improvements in brain function.

Some other studies also prove that sage can improve memory function in healthy people as well (young and old).

Mustard

This spicy flavored seed is native to the temperate areas of Europe. It helps stimulates appetite, relieve pain, and limit signs/traces of arthritis. According to some American Journal of Clinical Nutrition studies, supplementing mustard oil in your regular diet is proven to be beneficial to your cardiac (heart) health. Being a remarkable source of MUFAs (Monounsaturated fatty acids), it maintains standard blood fat levels, thus aiding average blood circulation and reducing bad cholesterol.

Garlic

The primary use of garlic was for its therapeutic purposes throughout ancient history. Garlic supplementation is widely known for combatting sickness, including the common cold and cough. If you often get chills, adding more garlic to your diet could be very helpful.

Its beneficial effect is also evident in heart health. For those with high cholesterol levels, garlic supplementation appears to reduce total and LDL cholesterol by about 10-15 percent and thus recommendable.

Several Human studies have also proved garlic supplementation causes a significantly lower level of blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure.

Clove

Cloves are antibacterial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and also a power store of antioxidants and are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Clove oil is one of the most original sources of antioxidants and is widely used in aromatherapy as an antiseptic and pain reliever (analgesics), especially for stomach pain and toothaches.

It is often combined with other oils to treat various ailments. For example, you may apply some warm clove oil along with sesame oil on your forehead if you find sleeping difficult (insomnia) to feel calm and relaxed.

Ginger

Ginger is a popular spice used in diverse forms of alternative medicine, it is very effective in the treatment of nausea and as well functional as anti-Inflammatory.  Consistent studies have shown that 1 gram or more ginger can successfully treat nausea, including nausea caused by chemotherapy, morning sickness, and seasickness. Ginger also appears to have strong anti-inflammatory attributes and can help with pain management (as analgesics).

One research study confirmed that 2 grams of ginger extract per day decreased colon inflammation in the same way as aspirin. Other research revealed that a mixture of ginger, mastic, cinnamon, and sesame oil decreased stiffness and pain experienced by patients with osteoarthritis. It had all most the same effectiveness as a treatment with ibuprofen or aspirin.

Fenugreek (For Blood Sugar Control)

Fenugreek was majorly used in Ayurveda, particularly to enhance masculinity and libido. While its effects on testosterone levels are yet to be established, fenugreek does seem to be beneficial to blood sugar level control. Several human studies have proved that at least 1 gram of fenugreek extract per day can lower blood sugar levels (in cases of hyperglycemia/diabetes).

It contains 4-hydroxy isoleucine (a plant protein), which can improve the function of insulin (the sugar-breaking hormone).

Rosemary Can Aid in the Prevention of Allergies and Nasal Congestion

The active ingredient in rosemary rosmarinic acid is a substance which has been proved effective to suppress allergic responses and nose/nasal congestion).

In some studies, researchers discovered that both 50 and 200 mg doses of Rosmarinic acid were capable of suppressing allergy symptoms. They also deduced that nasal immunity became high as the level of the treatments increased.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a unique spice that gives your curry its yellow color, and it contains Curcumin (a Substance with significant Anti-Inflammatory Effects). Curcumin is a widely known active antioxidant, which helps to combat oxidative damage in your body and aids the activeness of your body’s antioxidant enzymes.

It is important to know how oxidative damage is one of the fundamental mechanisms behind many diseases and aging. Curcumin is also a very strong anti-inflammatory substance and a suitable substitute for most inorganic/synthetic anti-inflammatory drugs. Thus, you should not be surprised to see curcumin linked to a good number of health benefits.

Studies suggest that it can combat Alzheimer’s disease, improve brain function, reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease, and relieve arthritis.

Frankincense

Frankincense is a type of sweet gum that has been used for centuries due to its powerful healing attributes. It is also efficient in aromatherapy as it provides you with various health benefits like; chronic stress reduction, pain-relieving (analgesic), and immunity strengthening.

Never cheat your body system with any of these healthy herbs and spices, always remember that “you must be healthy to build a healthy World.”

Cinnamon

In case you never knew, cinnamon has been of great importance in human medicine for thousands of years. It is efficient in treatments ranging from bronchitis to heart disease. Its primary health benefits although remain somewhat murky. Researchers claim that cinnamon can help to reduce blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol & glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes (hyperglycemia).

Cinnamon has been used severally as an antimicrobial and anti-fungal, a very good reason why you’ll always find cinnamon supplements in dental stores. Cinnamon is also a great pack filled with antioxidants, substances that limit the damaging effects of free radicals (reactive atoms that are capable of causing damages to cells). Due to its anti-inflammatory attribute, various studies are on-going on how cinnamon products could effectively treat Alzheimer’s disease and effective against irritable bowel syndrome and colon cancer.