21 Indian Spices with health benefits
As much as I remember my childhood, we have never been to a doctor for any sickness. My family has always been following the traditional way of health care, using Indian spices and herbs to avoid any kind of future problems related to health. Here I'll share a list of some of the Indian spices with their health benefits in both English and Hindi. You know a great person once told, "Prevention is better than cure."
Both my grandparents where following Ayurveda. My mom's dad used to make ayurvedic medicines at home to boost immunity and cure any basic illness or to improve our health condition as first aid. My dad's granny was an ayurvedic doctor who lived for 110 years of age completely healthy, fit, and fine. Even at that age, she had a crystal clear eye, with a very clear, vision. She also had long healthy natural black hair. She was an independent lady who used to serve and cure people and was also doing all her work by herself until her last breath. Grown in that atmosphere, I have known the values and adapted a small amount of it in my lifestyle.
Ayurveda and Spices
Ayurveda and Spices are a form of alternative medicine that is natural and holistic, also native to India. They have no side effects and are very useful in the treatment of the diseases. By using the spices in our day-to-day life in one or the other form, will keep us healthy and avoids many health problems even before it arrives.
In the Ancient and Medieval periods, they were valuable items of trade. Then trade always included 'Treasures of the East' namely Spices. Indian spices have a history that is more than 7000 years old. It has always been a leading spice consuming, producing, and exporting country of the world and spices play a leading role in India's national economy.
Medical writings of Charaka (1st century) and Susruta II (2nd century) referenced spices and herbs and also used them for healing purposes. Spices such as cardamom, ginger, black pepper, cumin, and mustard seed were included in ancient herbal medicines for different types of health benefits.
Kautilya's Arthashastra written in the third century BC mentions many remarks on spices like pepper, fenugreek, coriander, cardamom, ginger, and mustard. The Rigveda and the hymns of Yajurveda mention about the use and importance of different types of spices. Atharvaveda remarks about the use of turmeric for treating jaundice and leprosy. Ayurveda describes the use of spices and their importance with various healing properties.
Indian Spices
Spices are natural plant or vegetable products or a mixture which possess preservative, colorant, antioxidant, antibiotic and antiseptic properties. They supply calcium, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, iron, and other oxidants. They are so useful in fighting germs, intensify salivary flow, check infection, cleanse the oral cavity, and protect the mucous membrane. They act as stimuli to the digestive system.
India produces a variety of spices, they blend in food to extract the nutrients and bind them in a delicious form. Indian food is unimaginable without spices. But we often get confused with the names in English and Hindi. Here is a list of common Indian spices and what they are called in both languages and their uses.
Uses and Benefits of Spices
1. Asafetida ( Hing) - Used for seasoning food and helps to relieve stomach ache caused by gas and in whooping cough.
2. Bay Leaf (Tej Patta) - Used to add a special flavor to the food and its oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
3. Cardamom (Elaichi) - Used to give flavor and smell in cooking particularly in sweet dishes and also in the pharmaceutical sector. It helps overcome digestive problems and controlling bad breath.
4. Chili (Lal Mirch) - Used for adding hot flavor to food. The antioxidants in the chili help to maintain cholesterol and help in burning calories.
5. Cinnamon (Dalchini) - Used for preparing masalas and for seasoning food. It reduces blood cholesterol and helps in the production of insulin.
6. Clove (Laung) - Used in seasoning and preparing masalas. It helps in sore gums and toothache and during chest pain, cough, cold, fever, and digestive problems.
7. Coriander (Dhaniya) - The leaves as well as seeds are used in cooking. It helps in coping with allergies, sore throat, hay fever, digestive problems, and can be used externally for rheumatism and aching joints.
8. Cumin (Jeera) - Used in cooking and is a good source of iron and keep one immune from diseases. Cumin seeds boiled in water help in coping with dysentery.
9. Curry leaves (Karipatha) - Used in cooking and for seasoning food, also used in medicines for reducing blood sugar.
10. Fenugreek (methi) - The leaves are used as a vegetable and the seeds are used in cooking. It helps in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar and tea made from it increases breast milk.
11. Garlic (Lassan) - Used in cooking and helps to cope with cough and cold and has antibiotic properties.
12. Ginger (Adhrak) - Used in cooking and helps in cough and cold and helps to avoid digestive problems.
13. Mustard (Rai) - Used in cooking and its oil also is used in many countries. It consists of Omega 3 fatty acids and is an excellent source of zinc, manganese, calcium, iron, proteins, etc. It helps in good skin, hair, and is used in body massage.
14. Nutmeg (Jaiphal) - Used in cooking for garnishing and preparing masalas. It is also used in perfumes, shampoos, and soaps. It helps in treating bad breath, heart disorders, and asthma.
15. Black Pepper (Kaali Miri) - Used in cooking and garnishing. It helps in coping with muscle pains, cold, cough, infections, and digestive problems.
16. Saffron (Kesar) - Used in cooking and flavoring as well as beauty products. It helps in relieving cough, cold, asthma, and coping with skin diseases.
17. Star Anise (Chakra Phool) - Used in cooking. It helps in digestion, avoiding bad breath and its oil is useful for rheumatism.
18. Turmeric (Haldi) - Used in cooking and in skin care products. It works as an antibiotic and avoids infections. It helps in healing cuts and wounds and in skin problems. It also helps in coping with diabetes.
19. Fennel (Saunf) - Used in cooking and helps in digestion after eating, relieves nausea, gas, indigestion, bloating, etc.
20. Long Pepper (Pippali) – Used in cooking. Helps to improve appetite and digestion, as well as treat stomachache, indigestion, intestinal gas, diarrhea, and cholera. Also used for lung problems like asthma, bronchitis, and cough.
21. Black Stone Flower (Patthar Ke Phool) - Used in cooking. A good pain reliever helps heal wounds. It has antibacterial activity and also helps treat skin problems and reduces inflammation. It improves digestion and helps suppress respiratory disorders. It also tones up the urinary tract and helps maintain body temperature.
Conclusion
The history of spices is an interesting story of exploration, conquests, adventure, and fierce naval rivalry and India was the hub of the spice trade. India has always been mentioned as the 'Spice bowl of the world' and its contribution to the world in the field of spices has been truly noteworthy and commendable. The right way and daily usage of spices and herbs are very beneficial for the betterment of physical and mental health in many ways.
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Very nice article, well written. It's so informative, as health can be restored and maintained by healthy food habits. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteTrue, eating right and in the right way is very beneficial for our health.
DeleteNice article Nammi ..... Worth reading!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you dear. Stay connected
DeleteHey Namratha... Found your post interesting to read....good info... awaiting for new upcoming articles... Good luck
ReplyDeleteThank you. Stay connected
DeleteGood information about herbs. Thank you. All the best.
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