Healthy Spices: Flavours for Your Health

Monday 14 July 2014

 photo d4fa1a7957b45f0d9f702603d5b81233_zps9585bad7.jpg

Do you buy your herbs and spices online? If you do, when you buy spices do you think about their nutritional qualities? Some have great health benefits; you could even call them miracle flavours!

Here are 5 herbs and spices that have great health benefits:



 photo cinnamonsticks_zpsaef4e7f3.jpg  


Okay, so we don’t suggest eating this raw (we’ve all seen the YouTube videos) but cinnamon tastes lovely in desserts or on toast. And while you are enjoying the strong spicy taste you may be improving your health. 

Cinnamon will:

  • ·         Help fight fungal and bacterial infections
  • ·         Improve glucose and lipid levels in diabetics
  • ·         Help prevent Alzheimer’s
  • ·         Possibly be effective against HIV
  • ·         Help to stop the destructive process of multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • ·         Reduce the effect on the body from high fat meals   

Oregano  

 photo oregano_zpsa25c7011.jpg  


Oregano is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. It can be served fresh or dried and has a warm but slightly bitter taste. Oregano is a favourite in Mediterranean cuisine and is commonly sprinkled on pasta or pizza dishes. It tastes great on cheese on toast too!


This herb is somewhat of a superfood, as in one teaspoon it has the same antioxidant power as three cups of broccoli.

 Oregano can also be used in the treatment of:  

  • Cold                                     •Allergies
  • Muscle pain                          •Intestinal parasites
  • Acne                                    •Earache
  • Dandruff                               •Fatigue
  • Toothache                             •Repelling insects
  • Bronchitis                              •Menstrual cramps
  • Bloating
  • Headaches
  • Heart conditions 


 photo Rosemary_zpsfe6fa00a.jpg    


Rosemary has long been used alongside meats for its woody flavour, but we like to use it when we steam bass. It tastes amazing! It is also pleasant in desserts.

Rosemary’s health benefits include:

  •      Rosemary contains carnosol, a strong anti-cancer compound
  •      Protection against Alzheimer’s and improved memory
  •      Improved mood
  •      Migraine treatment
  •      Pain relief
  •      Anti-inflammatory properties
  •      Immune booster
  •      Antibacterial properties
  •      Improve digestive health
  •      Stimulated hair growth
  •      Better circulation
  •       Many more…   



 photo tumeric_zps573cb3de.jpg  


Turmeric is the spice of choice for many curry chefs, thanks to its bright colour and strong flavour. Thanks to this bright colouring, turmeric is also used in natural dye for clothing and body paint.

Of course there are medical benefits to eating turmeric too. Some believe that turmeric is a great herbal remedy to relieve the itching caused by skin cancer, and a chemical in turmeric (curcumin) may also help reduce the effects of rheumatoid arthritis.

As well as this turmeric may also be used to treat:
  •      Jaundice
  •      Hepatitis
  •      Diarrhoea
  •      Fibromyalgia
  •      Ringworm
  •      And many others  

  
 photo thyme_zpse8df018b.jpg  


Rosemary and thyme belong together, so it is no surprise that this herb also appears on this list. Thyme, like rosemary, is often used to flavour meat, but it also tastes delicious on roast vegetables or fish. It’s a pleasant addition to a stir fry too!

Thyme offers significant anti-oxidant protection and is also commonly used in the treatment of acne. It can even be more effective than some acne creams! It has also been linked to reduced blood pressure and the treatment of colon and breast cancers.

So next time you buy your herbs and spices online, stop and think: Can you fit these into your diet more? You could improve your health if you do.


Just Ingredients seek out the best herbs and spices from the top producers around the world and promise to deliver them straight to your doors. With over 100 spices and herbs to choose from, whether you are looking for rosemary, thyme or any other herb or spice, take a look at the wide variety of spices and herbs at Just Ingredients. 


4 comments

  1. Oh my, but this would be amazing with a bit of Italian sausage and served over tagliatalle! What a fabulous recipe! PS: I always make a recipe as written before adventuring out with variations. Just my homage to the chef! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Woww..its very healt sir....your information very very nice..i like it.

    Greeting sir...please visit my blog sir...in my blog you will get information indonesian food recipes...
    indofoodrecipes.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thats really interesting
    Julie xxxxxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks Julie!

    Lin, I am assuming you are talking about the Bolognese Sauce from my last post! I wish we could get Italian Sausage in my neck of the woods! It would indeed be fabulous!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you so do not be shy!


BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT OR RATING, ASK YOURSELF:
Did you make the recipe as directed? Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.

Is this comment helpful to other readers? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Remember that this website is run by a real person.

Are you here to complain about ads? Please keep in mind that I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising helps to defray my cost of doing so, and allows me to continue to post regular fresh content.

Thanks so much for your understanding! I appreciate you!