Spices, Beyond Flavor
In ancient times, the worth of spices was equal to that of gold due to their medicinal properties and unique flavors. The Hindi word ‘Bharat’ refers to India, the land of spices, and interestingly enough, the very same word means spices in Arabic. A spice can be a seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf, or another aromatic plant substance, used in small amounts to enhance the flavor of food.
Most spices have a warming effect on the body; and some rare ones are considered cooling. Warming spices include cinnamon, cloves, ginger, black pepper, and many others that we associate with winter and use in Christmas cookies and baked goods because they keep the body warm and the digestive fire strong. However, in excess, warming spices may cause thirst, profuse sweating, burning sensation, high blood pressure, nervousness, irritability, and skin disorders. Therefore, it is advised for the fiery Pitta individuals not to consume them in excess during winter, and to avoid them entirely during summer. Contrarily, they are excellent for cold Vata and Kapha people.
Cooling spices are refreshing, clarifying, and promote tissue firmness. These include fennel, coriander, saffron, anise, rose petals, and others. They are calming, cleansing, and balancing for Pitta individuals. Vata and Kapha individuals are naturally cold; therefore, they should use them moderately during summer and consume them in combination with warming spices in winter to maintain their body temperature. Spices are fantastic, but it is important to know how to store and use them correctly, to ensure maximal flavor, quality, and benefits:
– Store them in the fridge or freezer to prevent rancidity or mold
– It is best to buy spices whole, to dry-toast them (without oil), and to grind them right before using to guarantee their potency. Most of the store-bought spice powders are contaminated with fillers and unwanted food coloring.
– Always cook your spices in a source of fat such as olive oil, butter, or ghee to ‘open’ their molecules and release their flavor.
Spices not only are great for enhancing the taste of food, but they also make it more digestible and absorbable. Bland or unspiced food will not get sufficiently absorbed and assimilated, regardless of its vitamin and mineral content.
The Healing Benefits of Common Spices
Cardamom | Elettaria cardamomum
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Elaichi, Eladi
Cardamom is a warming sweet and pungent spice. It is considered a great digestif, and its seeds can be chewed after meals to refresh the breath and allow food to move down the digestive tract. It is powerful for treating indigestion, burping, vomiting, nausea, and headaches. It’s also good for regulating hyperacidity, which might be why it’s usually added to Arabic coffee. Cardamom has the ability to liquefy mucus and helps to improve breathing in asthmatics. Add it to dairy products to lighten up their heavy nature.
Black Pepper | Piper nigrum
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Kalimirch, Maricha
Black pepper is a pungent and warming spice, and a potent antioxidant. It promotes the flow of oxygen in the body and clears out the respiratory channels. When added to food, black pepper stimulates appetite, and is great for aiding digestion and lightening up a heavy meal. It also improves blood circulation and heart function. Consumption of black pepper clears out mucus buildup in the digestive tract, lungs and sinuses. Its heating properties enhance Agni (digestive fire), reduce bloating, and keep things moving in the body.
Cinnamon | Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Dalchini, Twak
Cinnamon is sweet, pungent and bitter in taste, and has a warming effect on the body. It improves blood circulation, and its oil is used to treat headaches and joint pain. Cinnamon is powerful in regulating blood sugar levels and fat and sugar metabolism, making it an essential addition to the diet of people with diabetes. Adding cinnamon to sweet dishes is not a coincidence but an intuitive understanding of the body’s needs. Drinking cinnamon tea with desserts is grexcellent for keeping insulin levels under control.
Turmeric | Curcuma longa
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Haldi, Haridra
Turmeric is an astringent, bitter, and pungent spice, commonly used as a blood purifier. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory, helpful in reducing joint pain,and arthritis, and for strengthening the joints. Turmeric can be used bointernally and topically to heal wounds and broken bones. Applying turmeric paste on wounds helps stop bleeding due to its high astringency. It is an antiseptic; it clears bacteria and toxins from the body. Turmeric enhances circulation and supports regulating the menstrual cycle. It promotes good skin health and is used for treating conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric is known for reducing inflammation and stimulating the body’s cleansing pathways, and for its powerful cancer and tumor-suppressing properties.
Fennel Seeds | Foeniculum vulgare
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Saunf, Madhura
Fennel is sweet and bitter and has a cooling effect on the body. It is soothing and clarifying, both for the body and mind. It relieves cramps, bloating, and heartburn, and strengthens the digestive fire (Agni) by stimulating the flow of blood to the stomach region. It is also helpful in treating menstrual cramps. Fennel has a lightening and refreshing effect on the lungs. It reduces phlegm and coughing, which makes it good for asthmatics. Breastfeeding mothers should consume it regularly for its ability to increase lactation and to help the baby if suffering from indigestion. The cooling quality of this spice is good for soothing any burning sensation in the urinary tract, and for increasing the clarity of mind. Chew the seeds, add them to food, or brew it as tea.
Fenugreek | Trigonella foenum-graecum
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Methi, Methika
Fenugreek is a bitter and pungent spice, with a warming effect on the body. It enhances digestion and dries out dampness in the intestine. Fenugreek promotes hair growth and is great for skin health. The seeds can be soaked, crushed into a paste, and applied as a mask. This paste can also be used to treat wounds and ulcers. It is used to reduce cholesterol, and for increasing milk production in breastfeeding mothers. Fenugreek is known to be high in Saponins, the compound that makes it great for boosting testosterone levels, regulating ovulation, and reducing menopause symptoms.
Cumin | Cuminum cyminum
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Jeera, Jeeraka
Cumin is bitter and pungent and has a warming effect on the body. Its pungency stimulates blood circulation in the digestive system, and the bitterness purifies the blood. These qualities make it a wonderful spice for clearing up the skin and restoring its dewiness. Cumin is of benefit to the heart and uterus, and is given to women after childbirth to increase breastmilk. It relieves menstrual cramps and aids digestion. Its drying effect absorbs excess fluids from the large intestine, firms up stools, and detoxifies the body. Add it to your food, baked goods, or beans, and drink it as tea.
Coriander Seeds | Coriandrum Sativum
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Dhanya, Dhanyaka
Coriander is bitter and pungent and has a cooling nature. It is a good remedy for disorders related to the digestive and urinary tracts. It is great for treating hyperacidity, nausea, and diarrhea. It is drying and diuretic, making it a good blood detoxifier. Coriander, which are the seeds of the cilantro plant, is especially useful during Spring for treating seasonal allergies. The consumption of fresh cilantro juice is effective for treating allergies, hay fever, and skin rashes. It can also be used topically for soothing itchiness and inflammation. Soaking coriander seeds in water overnight and drinking it in the morning on an empty stomach helps reduce hot flashes and menaupausal symptoms. Add it to your meals or drink it as tea.
Ginger | Zingiber officinale
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Adrak, Adraka, Sunthi (dry ginger)
Ginger is pungent and sweet, and has a warming effect on the body. Dry ginger is hotter and drier than fresh ginger. It is a stronger digestive stimulant, and its warmth increases the digestive fire. Fresh ginger is better to use for colds, coughs, nausea, vomiting and clearing out the channels. Ginger is a great cleanser, it stimulates the production of saliva and awakens the tastebuds, hence why, Ayurveda recommends having a slice of fresh ginger, sprinkled with salt and a squeeze of lemon juice before meals to stimulate appetite. Its oil is used to relieve pain due to its anti-inflammatory and sedative qualities.
Clove | Syzygium aromaticum
Hindi & Sanskrit names – Laung, Lavanga
Cloves are pungent and astringent and are considered very hot. They enhance blood circulation, digestion, and metabolism, and are used to treat stomach disorders like gas, bloating, and nausea. Cloves are most known for their use in oral hygiene products due to their refreshing and numbing effect on the mouth. To relieve toothache or sensitive gums, apply a drop of clove oil, chew on a clove, or keep it in your mouth overnight. This spice promotes sweating and cleansing of the body, making it great for healing fever.