Spices are good for you!

Thanks for the information..i know these things before but thanks for reminding again... :)

Very good information on spices,Neetu! Thanks a lot!

* Ginger is good for the respiratory system
* It is good to fight against colds and flu
* Ginger offers substantial protection from stroke and heart attack because of its ability to prevent blood clotting
* Ginger, a multifaceted herb, is crucial in the battle against cardiovascular disease
* Relieves headaches and pains
* Helps to clear sore throats
* Good for upset stomach and indigestion.
* It is very effective as a cleansing agent through the bowels and kidneys and also through the skin

Thanks for sharing this valuable information on spices neetu.... keep posting.....

Thanks Neetu, for the information shared by you on Spices. :) :) :)

Thanks for the post Neetu...that was very nice of you...Indians normally use many spices to SPICE up the food...

Anu.:-)

Many thanks for informative piece. I believed that spicy food is bad for health. apparently, only too much spices and oil may be unhealthy. Moderate quantity would be good for health.

Doc, thanks for the great information once again!! :) :) :) :) :)

Black pepper improves digestion by stimulating the taste buds and thereby alerting the stomach to increase hydrochloric secretion. Black pepper is also an antioxidant, and it has antibacterial effects. But wait - there's more! You will be very happy to know that the outermost layer of the peppercorn actually helps stimulate the breakdown of fat cells!

Black pepper also helps prevent the formation of intestinal gas, promotes urination, and promotes sweating. It is full of manganese, and it also has a good amount of iron and dietary fiber, as well.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon also has a very healthy dose of manganese, but the health benefits of cinnamon are different than those of black pepper. Cinnamon can help eliminate and prevent the clumping of blood platelets. The scent of cinnamon can boost brain function - in other words, smelling cinnamon can improve your virtual recognition memory, working memory, and more!

Cinnamon can also help stop the growth of bacteria. Some even say that cinnamon can be used as spicy alternative to traditional food preservatives. For people with type 2 diabetes, cinnamon is wonderful - it can help them respond to insulin and thereby normalize their blood sugar levels.

Cayenne

The list of benefits from cayenne pepper seems to go on and on: it fights inflammation, prevents stomach ulcers, boosts immunity, offers pain relief, has cardiovascular benefits, and helps clear congestion. It seems that no matter your ailment, a dose of cayenne will help you out! Cayenne is also full of vitamin A.

@ manisha

very good information about the spices.......thanks for sharing this valuable information......

Manisha thanks for adding some more information...It is useful one

Spices if taken in resonable proporions work wonders !

most Indian goods have spices.But if added extra then comes the problem

The following is a list of commonly used Indian spices and some of their health benefits:

Health Benefits of Indian Spices:

* Bay Leaf:
Bay leaves contain compounds called parthenolides which have been helpful for the treatment of migraines, which could explain its traditional use as a natural headache remedy. They also contain eugenol, a compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, explaining their long-use in herbal cold remedies.

* Caraway Seed:
Another spice considered to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, caraway has been used for cold relief, toothaches, and to boost immune function. It also aids digestion, settling the stomach, and relieves bloating.

* Cardamom:
This versatile spice is included in a wide range of dishes, from Indian curries to desserts and teas. It’s believed to counteract stomach acidity, stimulate appetite, ease nausea, cure bad breath, and relieve gas and bloating. Referred to as the “Queen of All Spices” it contains potent antioxidants and is often included in liver detox. Cardamom has also been used as both an aphrodisiac and to fight obesity. Yet more study needs to be done on how well it may aid weight loss.

* Cinnamon:
This spice is a rich source of antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory properties, eases digestion,and may even reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It also helps stimulate blood flow and is a herbal remedy for poor circulation. Cinnamon is also considered helpful for weight loss, but more research is still needed.

* Cloves:
The active compounds in clove lend it anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is also has anti-inflammatory effects and has been studied for use in aiding detoxification from environmental pollutants.

* Coriander:
The seeds of the cilantro plant, coriander contains antioxidants that help keep animal fats from becoming rancid, and other compounds with antibacterial qualities. It also helps soothe the stomach and relieve bloating. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and coriander oil is a natural remedy for arthritis relief.

* Cumin:
As a traditional herbal remedy its uses include: diuretic (helps the body shed water), relieve diarrhea and bowel spasms, relieve morning sickness, and ease carpal tunnel syndrome.

* Fennel Seed:
Not only loaded with powerful antioxidants fennel also contains fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamin C. It is believed to boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure, and aid in detoxification of the body. It contains compounds that help relieve smooth muscle spasms, which in effect, helps ease abdominal cramping and spasms. Fennel is also a mild appetite suppressant.

* Fenugreek:
Like many of the other herbs and spices used in Indian cooking, the ground seeds of fenugreek have anti-inflammatory properties and aid digestion. Fenugreekine, a chemical found in these seeds, are also believed to reduce blood sugar levels and have been used as natural supplement for use with insulin. Fenugreek is also a potent expectorant, and is used for natural remedies to ease congestion, allergies, and bronchitis.

* Ginger:
Ginger is packed with many active compounds, including gingerols, zingibain, bisabolenel, oleoresins, zingiberole, just to list a few. It’s many proven uses: naturally treat nausea from morning sickness, treat nausea related to motion sickness (found to be more effective than Dramamine, without the side-effects), anti-inflammatory properties help ease muscle and joint pain. It also has a diaphoretic property (causes sweating) and so is used to cleanse and detoxify the body, stimulate circulation, and ease bronchitis and congestion.

* Turmeric:
Often called the “King of Spices” turmeric is an essential ingredient to the mix of spices known by most of us as curry. Its primary antioxidant, curcumin, is an essential ingredient for liver detox, and is also a natural arthritis treatment for its anti-inflammatory effects. The latest scientific studies are showing that turmeric may also be a promising diet aid that fights belly fat by inhibiting the growth of fat cells.

Spices can be available in various forms such as fresh, whole dried, or pre-ground dried. A whole dried spice has the longest shelf life so can be purchased and stored in larger amounts, making it cheaper on a per-serving basis. Spices are used for various other purposes, such as medicine, religious rituals, cosmetics, perfumery or eating as vegetables. For example, turmeric is also used as a preservative; liquorice as a medicine; garlic as a vegetable.
List of spices:

Asafoetida: A popular spice in foods and medicines
Cardamom: The Queen of all spices
Chilli: Grown throughout the country and is used in almost all dishes
Cinnamon: It is the dried bark of an evergreen busy tree
Cumin: It has a particular value in the blending of Indian curry powder
Fennel: The dried ripe fruit of a perennial aromatic herbaceous plant
Ginger: A major crop cultivated in India marketed as fresh and dried spice
Mustard: It is used for its appetising flavour and preservative value
Parsley: One of the best known and used in culinary spices
Pomegranat: It is endowed with excellent medicinal properties
Turmeric: The spice is quite popular in foreign countries
Bishops Weed: A native Indian plant is an aromatic spice
Cassia: The dried husk of a small, bushy evergreen tree
Clove: One of the oldest spices in the world
Coriander: The fragrant spice has its own medicinal properties.
Fenugreek: The ripe, dried fruit of an annual leguminous herb
Garlic: It has an attractive flavour and acknowledged medicinal value
Mint: Mint is the plant with dark green leaves with pleasant fresh flavour
Onion: One of the oldest spices known to human race.
Pepper: The king of all spices and best known in the world
Rosemary: The spice is quite popular in foreign countries
Vanilla: Vanilla is a seed pod of a tropical climbing orchid

Also, it includes Mace, aniseed, Dill, Kokam, Tejpat, Basil, curry leaf, Star anise etc.