Medicinal Characteristics Of Spices
November 26, 2008
Indian cuisine is incomplete without spices. Spices are important ingredients for food in homes across all over India. These spices have the ability to enhance the taste, color and flavor of the food. They help in increasing appetite and giving a feeling of well-being.
Commonly used spices in Indian dishes are chili powder, black mustard seed, turmeric, fenugreek, asafoetida, cumin, ginger and garlic. Garam masala is a very popular spice mix. It is a mixture of five or more spices, commonly composed of cardamom, cinnamon and clove. Different regions of India have different version of Garam Masala. Some Indian regions use spices unique to their cuisine. Curry leaves are used in almost all South-Indian dishes. Goda Masala is very popular spice mix used in Maharastrian food. Similarly, Punjabi food thrives on a specially prepared concoction of Garam masala.
Indian spices have been popular since ages. Europeans came to India in search of spices. Indian spices like black pepper were so popular in Europe that it was called the black gold of India. The spices not only enhance the flavor of simple food, they also have medicinal properties. The spices are used in many home remedies. It is believed that taking haldi mixed warm milk can help the body to heal faster. Keeping cloves inside the mouth can help in relieving toothache. Drinking ginger tea is good for common cold. Many studies have proved that these grand mother home remedies are very effective and have no side effects.
Asafoetida is useful for treating stomach ache and whooping cough. Bay leaf oil has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Red pepper has antioxidant properties. It helps in keeping cholesterol level in check and helps in burning calories. Cinnamon supports natural insulin production and reduces blood cholesterol. Clove oil is good for swollen gums and relieving toothache. It is an effective remedy for chest pains, fever, digestive problems, cough and cold.
Coriander is good for coping from sore throat, allergies, digestive problems and hay fever. It can also be used externally for aching joints. Curry leaves are effective in lowering blood sugar level. Fenugreek is beneficial for diabetes patients. Black pepper helps in coping from cold, cough and muscle pains. It is always advisable to use spices for mild symptoms of diseases. If the symptoms of diseases continue then consulting doctor becomes essential.
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