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Discover how ancient spices can improve your health by using them in your everyday cooking. In this article, we will explore three of the most powerful spices exhibiting the greatest healing properties: cinnamon, turmeric, and cloves.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon’s most notable health benefit is for people with type 2 diabetes. A study published in the journal Diabetes Care (December 2003) found that just one-half teaspoon (2.5 mL) per day significantly reduced blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Cinnamon was also found to lower triglyceride levels, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol.

How to Use Cinnamon

To help relieve a common cold or flu, try adding cinnamon to freshly grated ginger tea.

For a delicious hot drink, simmer cinnamon sticks with rice or nut milk and honey.

For a healthier version of cinnamon toast, sprinkle cinnamon with added honey and flax oil onto sprouted grain toast. Great for kids! To create a Middle-Eastern flavour, add cinnamon, cumin, and turmeric to any meat dish.

Turmeric

Turmeric’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic properties are undergoing intense research. Curcumin, the yellow pigment of turmeric, is considered the primary pharmacological agent in turmeric.

Extensive research over the last 50 years has shown curcumin to prevent and treat cancer. According to studies done at the University of Illinois at Chicago (Anticancer Research, 2002), curcumin inhibits H. pylori, which is a cancer-provoking bacteria associated with gastric and colon cancer.

How to Use Turmeric

Add turmeric to egg salad or rice to give it a more fun, bright yellow colour.

Mix brown rice with raisins and cashews. Season with turmeric, cumin, and coriander.

Use with any lentil recipe.

Cloves

Clove oil’s mild anaesthetic and antibacterial properties make it a safe and effective remedy for the common toothache. Clove also has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antiparasitic properties.

How to Use Cloves

To give meals an Indian-inspired zest, add ground cloves and curry powder to sautéed onions and garlic. Include clove powder, walnuts, and raisins in your favourite Christmas stuffing. Add ground cloves to split pea or bean dishes.

Be sure to select and store your spices carefully to get the most flavour and greatest health benefits. Purchase organically grown, non-irradiated spices found at most health food stores. Keep in a tightly sealed glass container in a cool, dark, and dry place. Spices stay pungent for about six months to one year so it is a good idea to mark the date of purchase. Perform the sniff test: Spices should have a strong fragrance; if not, the spices should be discarded.

Spiced Apple Cider

Michele Hagadorn, RNCP, CFT, is a registered nutritional consultant practitioner and certified fitness trainer.

Source: alive #266, December 2004