Running. Cooking. Yoga. Life

Spices are a gift.  They are tasty and great for you, and can be used for so many different things.  They are little things that add a lot to the food we eat, and that also add to our well-being.  Here are some benefits of a few of my personal favorites.

Cayenne

Other than it’s amazing taste, cayenne eliminates gas from the stomach and intestines, soothes sore throat and helps relieve cold and flu symptoms.  It also aids in weight lose by increasing metabolism.  It helps clean arteries and keep blood pressure levels normal.  Cayenne also prevents cancer, and it’s great for your digestive and intestinal tract, and can help heal ulcers.  Cayenne is a truly amazing spice.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon tames nausea and stomach ulcers and functions as a mild anti-inflammatory.  It can lower LDL levels, and in some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.  Mixed with honey, cinnamon has been known to alleviate arthritis.  It is a natural food preservative, and smelling cinnamon can boost cognitive function and memory.  Cinnamon also relieves menstrual discomfort.  It is a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium.

Oregano

Oregano helps loosen mucus, treat respiratory illnesses, and help relieve indigestion.  It has antiviral and antifungal properties and can help kill organisms that contribute to skin infections.  It has antioxidant and antiparasitic qualities, and it helps strengthen the immune system.  It improves respiratory health and is rich in fiber, iron and manganese as well as calcium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. It also has omega-3 fatty acids.

Tumeric

Tumeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent and is thus useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.  It may prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide, and it reduces the risk of childhood leukimia.  It is a natural liver detoxifier, is anti-inflammatory, and can aid in weight management.  Tumeric has also been used for a long time in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.  It is a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis and is a natural painkiller.

So go on, add in those extra spices!  They will do wonders for your health and will make your food much more enjoyable. Here I leave you with a recipe that uses two of the above mentioned spices, Fragrant Pilaf.  Enjoy!

Until next time, Namaste!

Lyla