samedi 9 février 2013

Why You Should Use Healthy Spices

By Terrie Joyner


Spices have become a standard item in many kitchen store cupboards. They are used to enhance the flavors and add color to many different types of dishes from around the world. However, they also play an important role in helping to prevent and to treat a variety of medical conditions. Many of the traditional uses for healthy spices have been passed down the centuries and are widely used today.

Spices are usually provided in powder or seed form for adding to your cooking. They are readily available from the supermarket shelf, health food stores and other types retail outlets. Spices and herbs are often combined to achieve a specific taste experience. Recommendations are to add towards the end of the cooking process to maintain the flavor.

India is the main source for many spice products, including cardamom, It has a distinct aroma and adds a unique flavor to puddings, savoury rice dishes, vegetables and the famous Indian curries. Cardamom is known to help relieve flatulence and problems with digestion. Crush the seeds with a small amount of ginger root and water, before bringing to the simmer with some milk and honey to taste for a medicinal remedy.

Indian and Asian cooking frequently contains ginger to enhance the flavor of the food. Ginger which has quite a distinct flavor and smell is also used in baking products. Often digestive problems can be calmed by chewing a small bit of ginger root. Alternatively, it can be steeped in hot water and taken as a hot tea drink to ensure you get the full benefits of the antioxidant properties.

Cinnamon is a warm and fragrant spice produced from the inner bark of a tropical tree. Usually sold in the form of a stick, it used to add flavor in cooking and baking. It is often used as an ingredient in products such as mouth wash, chewing gum and toothpastes. It contains eugenol and cinnamaldehyde compounds, which are known to help relieve pain with its sedative properties. It is also known to help improve circulation due to its blood thinning properties.

Evergreen trees provide cloves which are used for pickling, poaching fruit and are used in the production of mulled wine. Cloves are commonly used as a remedy for toothache, because of the anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties contained in the spice. Arthritis sufferers often use cloves to help ease their pain and stiffness. Steeping a teaspoon of cloves in boiling water for approximately 10 minutes, provides a warm and therapeutic cup of tea.

Middle Eastern and Asian cuisines use cumin in their bread baking, stews and curries for its distinct flavor. Cumin stimulates the production of iron and manganese which combat indigestion and bloating. Adding a teaspoon of seeds to a pint of boiling water produces a tea for quick relief of indigestion.

The packaging or jars of spices, usually contain information on the label about the types of use, quantities and the properties and benefits of healthy spices. The ones mentioned here are only a few of the many spices that can be used in the preparation of herbal and natural remedies. They are the ones you are likely to have in your store-cupboard if you enjoy cooking international dishes.




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