Indian Spices

Food without any kind of spices, unimaginable isn’t it? Without spices any food seems tasteless. So all over the world spices are known for their taste making but except this they also have an important role to play in medicinal uses. Apart from seasoning food, adding color, flavor and taste to the foods spices also provide enormous health benefits.

Asafoetida (Hing), is used for treating whooping cough and stomach ache caused due to gas. Bay leaf (Tez Patta) adds a specific flavour to food but Bay leaf oil is antifungal and anti bacterial too. Cardamom (Elaichi) used in sweet dishes to give a good flavour and smell helps to keep bad breath and digestive order in control. Chewing a whole Cardamom is good for diabetic patients. For adding hot flavour to the food chilli is the best option but it also helps to cope with cholesterol and burning calories. Cinnamon (Dalchini) helps to produce natural insulin and reduces blood cholesterol.

Clove (Laung), used primarily for seasoning, preparing Masalas its oil is good for treating tooth ache and sore gums and also for chest pains, fever, digestive problems, cough and cold. Cumin is a good source of iron and keeps immune system healthy. Curry leaves help in reducing blood sugar. The dried leaves are extensively used in herbal medicines. Fenugreek (Methi) is good for increasing breast milk. It is also helpful for treating diabetes and lowering cholesterol.

Garlic (Lassan), is useful for coping with cough and cold. It also has antibiotic properties. Ginger (Adrak) adds a specific flavor to food and helps to avoid digestive problems. Mustard (Rye), is good for body massage and even for getting good hair. Turmeric (Haldi) used in cooking and skin care products, helps to deal with skin problems. It also heals cuts, wounds. Saffron used in cooking and beauty products helps to cope with skin diseases. Nutmeg is used in powdered form for garnishing and also for masala preparation is beneficial for the treatments of asthma, heart disorder and bad breath.

If we know the benefits of these spices we can use them in more creative ways and can even use them as substitute of our costly beauty products and even medicine.