WELLNESS: Five super spices for great health!

Since long ago when traders lost lives and land in pursuit of the mysterious spices from afar, we have adored the magic that these little gems have brought to our food and our senses. Spices have been attributed with super powers of healing based on their antibacterial, aromatic and aphrodisiac actions.

Tell me that you can live without the sweet sensual aroma of nutmeg, the warm spicy taste of cardamom or the pungent-bitter bite of cumin. I wouldn’t believe you because I know my life would be bland without these aromatic friends. Spices are not only in demand for the zest and vitality they bring to our food but they are also extremely powerful healing tools for our everyday wellbeing.

Which spices are best for the Fall season?

The Ayurvedic characteristics of Fall are dry, cold, light, mobile and erratic. We need spices and foods that have the opposite qualities to ground and nourish us for this cool, windy season. Warming, pungent and sweet spices are best used as tonics to stabilize and warm us. Five of the best spices to stock up on right now are nutmeg, cardamom, cumin, turmeric, and ginger. Your kitchen is an apothecary for wellness if stocked with spices that maintain and support optimal health and make your food delicious and aromatic as well!

Five Super Spices for Optimal health and vitality:

1. Nutmeg: Acts as a sedative and is known as a natural ‘valium’ working to alleviate anxiety-like symptoms. Stimulating and warm and so acts as an aphrodisiac tonic and an anti-depressant. Grate a little into half a cup of warm milk before bed for a good nights sleep!

2. Cardamom: One of the mildest but most effective digestive stimulants. Cardamom is a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic, calming the gut and relieving digestive issues such as gas and bloating. Helps to eliminate bad breath and opens the respiratory pathways in the case of congestion. No wonder cardamom is known as the queen of spices! Used in most chai blends and deliciously fragrant in rice dishes!

3. Cumin: Supports healthy blood sugar levels as it reduces levels of cholesterol and triglycerides that are found in excess in those with type 2 diabetes. High in Vitamin C and A, cumin is a powerful antioxidant and a potential inhibitor of cancer. Sprinkle some into your stews and soups for a health-boosting and tasty experience!

4. Turmeric: Make this golden yellow spice a kitchen staple! Turmeric has a growing reputation as one of natures most potent healers.Its active ingredient curcumin is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory actions and it has been shown to enhance and protect the health of every tissue, cell and organ of the body. This amazing property of turmeric has been proven to relieve inflammatory arthritis, combat heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. An amazing healer without any side effects, turmeric is a defininte YES to add to your spice cupboard!

5. Ginger: A must have in every kitchen apothecary! The fresh rhizome brings flavor, pungency and sweetness to food and is used widely as a digestive. Ginger is also an excellent remedy to alleviate respiratory conditions. Ginger is an invigorating spice and is known as ‘the universal medicine’ for its versatility and healing properties. Also used for arthritic conditions to clear stagnation in the joints and stimulate blood flow. Grate some ginger into hot water with lemon and honey as a remedy for colds and coughs. Grate an inch of ginger and squeeze the juice and add to a juiced teaspoon of basil. Add a teaspoon of honey and you have a natural and effective cough medicine. Enjoy adding ginger into a myriad of foods. A feisty addition to your dishes!

Wow and this is only a handful of miraculous spices. There are certainly many more to discover. As the Spice Mistress I love to keep my pantry stocked with an array of fresh whole spices. I grind them fresh each time I cook and keep them in a cool dark cupboard for storage (sounds very lonely but it is the best way to preserve the longevity of your spices). I recommend buying whole spices rather than ground as they keep for longer on the shelf. Here are some local Vancouver spots where I love to shop for my home spice pharmacy. Some are quaint little stores that are reminiscent of spice bazaars around the world and others larger markets with great bulk sections.

 South China Seas Trading Company

Famous Foods Vancouver

Whole Foods Market

Ayoub’s Fruit and Nuts

Dollar Grocers

Donalds Markets

Yek O Yek:  3046 Main Street Vancouver (604) 877-0139

Punjab Food Center: 6635 Main St, Vancouver

Happy Spice hunting!

With Fragrant blessings of health,
The Spice Mistress

Glynnis Osher is an Ayurvedic Practitioner and practices and teaches the Indian Head Massage in Vancouver. She is also founder and CEO of The Mystic Masala Aromatherapy.

www.thousandpetallotus.com
www.themysticmasala.com
www.glynnisandmadhuri.com

Tags: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, aphrodisiacs, ayurveda, cardamom, cholesterol, cumin, diabetes, digestion, ginger, healing spices, nutmeg, spice, spice bazaar, spice blends, spice markets, Spices, turmeric

David Anderson says:

October 12, 2012 at 3:52 pm

These are all faves of mine, but I didn’t know all the extra benefits – thanks for sharing! And thanks as well for the options for where to find them. Always good to know where you can find your local spice merchant.