Spices for all seasons
It’s almost time to get ready for back to school, work! Once I get in to the full swing of summer, I also like to replenish my stock of herbs. For me, I always make sure that my kitchen is fully stocked with my choice of 5 kitchen spices that heal and nourish the body. Not only that, these spices have been used for centuries as natural remedies, flavorings, and nutritional enhancers.
Why you need them
Regardless of your taste preferences, everyone should have a stash of spices and herbs that have a variety of uses. It’s never a good idea to really on one form of healing and supplementation. Also, as someone who grew up in a family that used natural remedies, supplements, etc, I don’t believe that western medicine has the monopoly on healing! As a matter of fact, a lot of indigenous remedies and supplements from around the world were “appropriated” by the pharmaceutical industry. While I want go into all the details here, I will say that good health is rooted in the foods, spices and herbs we put into our bodies. Plus, I firmly believe the notion of food being our natural medicine.
My must-have list of 5 kitchen spices that heal
At the top of my list is ginger! For obvious reasons, ginger is a must-have because it has so many benefits. Not only that, there is a lot of data that supports the healing benefits of ginger. Not only does it enhance your recipes, it is a great digestive aide, cold and flu remedy, etc. Ginger is an Anti-Inflammatory, soothes the stomach, helps wit regulating blood sugar, and so much more. Ginger is central to a number of my homemade cold and flu remedies for those cold winter months as well.
Another important spice is cinnamon. While most people often associate it with baked goods and desserts, cinnamon also has a number of health benefits. Like ginger, cinnamon has been used for centuries as a curative, as a flavor enhancer for both sweet and savory dishes, etc. Cinnamon also helps with digestion, regulating blood sugar, and contains trace nutrients needed by the body.
Other spices on my list of 5 kitchen spices that heal
Next, are cloves. For centuries cloves have been used as a natural food preservative as well as herbal remedies. It is naturally anti-microbial and an anti-oxidant. Believe it or not, cloves have both anti-oxidant and anti-microbial effects that many other spices. That also includes a number of fruits and vegetables. To read up more on the benefits of some of the most beneficial spices to have in your kitchen, check out my favorite recipe posts right here
Cloves aren’t just great for sweet dishes or your favorite winter or iced chai. Cloves add both flavor and healing to soups, tinctures and a variety global recipes. My next must-have often fly’s under the radar of most folks. Fresh ground black pepper is so common and so underrated. It is a good source of the mineral manganese which is important for bone health and regulating the metabolism. Did you also know it’s important in the wound healing process? Black pepper may also improve cholesterol levels, gut health and help control blood sugar levels.
Last but not least is turmeric. These days more people are familiar with this lovely spice. It is also a traditional ingredient in curry powder and gives it that distinctive yellow color. Turmeric is widely used around the globe as an anti-inflammatory. It’s now a popular aide to help reduce inflammation and joint pain. I often add it to soups, stews, smoothies, etc for that extra health boost. Some might argue about the dosage, but if you add it often and regularly enough, that goodness will build up! Again, I won’t go into all of the heath benefits but healthline.com gives more details on the benefits of turmeric. It gives a delicious earthy flavor to most dishes and is easily disguised in smoothies, soups and stews too.
Exploring the spice world
Needless to say, there is a vast world out there when it comes to spices! Also, this is just a short list of the spices I typically use in a variety of recipes. Don’t be afraid to try new spices and even your everyday options in new ways. Spices have been used for centuries in a myriad of ways based on trial and error. As humans discovered other applications for these spices through observation, trial and error, etc, we’ve found new uses for them. As a matter of fact, some spices were used for medicinal purposes before someone discovered that they were awesome for cooking too!
Bottom line, humans are curious and adaptive creatures when it comes to both food and environment. Needless to say, this is just one area where that creativity and ingenuity shines through. So, step out of your comfort zone and try these 5 kitchen spices that heal as well as enhance recipes around the world!
