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22 Ways to spice up your health
"Great Life" Magazine (March 2002)
Submitted by Bernadette Nanton
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Herb/Spice
Basil |
Therapeutic Use
Treats anxiety, colds coughs, depression, drug overdose and withdrawal,
nervous exhaustion, rheumatic pain, stomachaches and vomiting; also
stimulates appetite and relieves constipation. |
Culinary Use
Serves as staple ingredient in pesto, sauces, salads, salad dressings and
tomato sauces. Tea can be use to treat headaches, nausea, sleeplessness and
depression. |
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Bay leaves |
Relieves arthritis,
atherosclerosis, bronchitis and poor circulation; strengthens and tones
digestive organs. |
Use in marinades, sauces, soups,
rice, potatoes, stews and tomato dishes. Remove from dish before serving. |
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Caraway |
Helps appetite stimulation,
bronchitis, chemotherapy-induced nausea, Crohn’s disease, colic, cramps,
indigestion, menstrual regulation and shortness of breath. |
Seasons cabbage, cheese,
crackers, soups and salad; a traditional ingredient in sauerkraut, coleslaw
and potato & cucumber salads. |
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Cardamom |
Treats anorexia, asthma, bad
breath, bloating, bronchitis, celiac disease, incontinence, indigestion,
kidney stones, laryngitis, vomiting and spastic colon. |
Add to breads, cakes, coffee,
curies, rice dishes and Indian food; can help digest the phytic acid of
grains. |
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Cayenne |
Relieves migraines; stimulates
circulation; breaks up congestion; and aids digestion. Can also be gargled
for sore throat; applied topically to stop bleeding in wounds or as a lotion
or cream with the active ingredient capsaicin relieving arthritic joints and
sprains. |
Spices up salsas, chilies,
curries, stir-fries, soups, stews and sauces. Note: Cayenne is sensitive
to light. |
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Cinnamon |
Treats loss of appetite,
arthritis, bloating, cramps, flatulence and gastrointestinal troubles;
serves as an antibacterial, antibiotic, anti-fungal and carminative. |
Complements apple pie, baked
goods, coffee, eggnog, French toast, grain dishes, pudding, sweet potatoes,
squash and rice pilaf. Stir cinnamon sticks in mugs of cider or hot
chocolate. |
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Cloves |
Helps anorexia, bad breath,
coughs, diarrhea, impotence, parasites, sore throats, stomach cramps,
toothaches and vomiting. Also helps absorb other herbs in a formula and
prevents colic in breast-fed babies via breast milk. |
Add character to pot roast with
whole cloves, or crush to season sweet potatoes, stewed fruits, spice cake
and wild game. |
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Coriander |
Relieves appetite loss,
bloating, cramps, diarrhea and gastrointestinal troubles. |
Considered an herb when fresh
(cilantro) and a spice when dried (coriander leaves or seeds), this plant is
best used fresh in cooking. Chop and add to salsa, bean and rice salads, and
grilled chicken and fish. The seeds can be used in beans, meat, and Indian
and Latin American dishes. |
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Dill |
Treats bad breath, low breast
milk flow, colic, indigestion, insomnia and kidney disorders. |
Use to season barley soups, bean
stews, fish, potatoes, quiches, omelets, salad dressings and tofu dips. Mix
with yogurt and sliced cucumbers for an easy salad, or add to cottage cheese
and creamy dips. |
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Fennel |
Treats bad breath, colic (in
breast-fed babies via breast milk), diabetes, gout, jaundice, kidney stones,
nausea and rheumatism. |
Add to salads and soups; seeds
can flavor fish, pastries and tomato sauces. |
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Garlic |
Treats asthma, elevated blood
lipid levels, candida, colds, coughs, diabetes, hypertension, influenza and
intestinal parasites; serves as an antibacterial and antifungal. |
Blends well with grains, beans,
pasta, cheese, chicken, meat, fish, bread and vegetables; cooking subdues
and sweetens the flavors of food. |
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Ginger |
Relieves arthritis, backache,
bronchitis, chills, poor circulation, colds, colic, flatulence, influenza,
indigestion, menstrual cramps, motion sickness and muscle soreness (as a
compress); also serves as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, blood thinner,
carminative, expectorant and stimulant. |
A warming spice that’s great in
sauces, Oriental stir-fry dishes, chutneys, curries, meat, fish, mulled
wines and as a sushi condiment. Ginger perks up root vegetables and meat
marinades. Use ground ginger in cookies and cakes. |
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Horseradish |
Relieves bladder infection,
bronchitis, poor circulation, colitis, coughs, edema, gout, hay fever, sinus
congestion and whooping cough. |
Spices up coleslaw, dips,
mayonnaise and sauces; serves as condiment for roast beef. Can use fresh,
uncooked horseradish, but avoid direct contact with skin, as the herb can
cause blisters. |
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Mustard |
Relieves coughs, inflammation
and respiratory congestion and stimulates appetite. |
Chop young leaves and add to
salads or cook as a green vegetable; eat flowers in salads; use seeds to
spice cheese dishes, potato salads, fish, curries, dips, salad dressing and
sauces. |
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Onion |
Stimulates appetite and helps
prevent atherosclerosis. |
Sauté as base for a variety of
breads, meat, soups, pasta and vegetable dishes. Varieties range from sweet
(Walla Walla, Vidalia and Maui Sweet) to spicy hot (Spanish onion). |
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Oregano |
Relieves bronchitis, candida,
colic, coughs, delayed menses, motion sickness, nausea and toothaches;
serves as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral and
carminative. |
Seasons beans, chili, eggs,
meat, vegetables, pizza, salad dressings and sauces. |
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Parsley |
Treats anemia, arthritis,
cystitis, edema, gout, halitosis, jaundice, kidney inflammation and kidney
stones. |
Complements Greek pies with
feta, hummus, omelets, salads, soufflés, soups and tofu. Chew two sprigs
after eating garlic to freshen breath. |
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Peppermint |
Helps colic, fatigue, fever,
flatulence, flu, gastrointestinal troubles, gallbladder problems, halitosis,
headache, morning sickness and nausea; serves as an analgesic,
antimicrobial, antiparasitic and digestive aid. |
Add to yogurt, fruit salad, ice
cubes and teas; can also cook into a jelly to glaze roast lamb or chop fresh
mint and sprinkle over new potatoes, beans, peas and carrots. |
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Rosemary |
Helps anxiety, asthma, bile
secretion, depression, epilepsy, fatigue, flatulence, headaches, stress and
vertigo; also serves as an antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant,
dyspeptic, and as a conditioner for dandruff, gray hair, and oily skin and
hair. |
Try rosemary in soups, tofu,
salads, savory breads, meat, fish, roasted potatoes and other vegetables.
Steep fresh sprigs in wine, cordials or honey. Cooking with rosemary can
help digest fats and starches. |
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Sage |
Treats anxiety, blood clots,
canker sores, cystitis, depression, diarrhea, fever, hot flashes, memory
problems, menopause, menses problems, night sweats, excessive perspiration
and toothaches; also helps stop lactation. |
Improves digestion of fats and
serves as a natural preservative. Add to breads, fish, lamb, pork, salads,
stuffing, sautéed mushrooms, beans and tomato sauces. |
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Thyme |
Treats asthma, bronchitis,
colds, colic, cough, diarrhea, hangovers, hay fever, headaches and menstrual
cramps; can be used in gargle for dental decay and sore throats. Generally,
serves as an antibiotic, antifungal and antiseptic. |
Spices soups, vegetables,
poultry, stuffing and fruit salads; helps digest fattening foods. |
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Turmeric |
Treats arthritis, asthma,
cancer, candida, high cholesterol, eczema, inflammation, uterine tumors and
wounds. |
Add to beans, chutneys, curries
and grains. Helps digest fat and protein. Note: Turmeric is sensitive to
light. |
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"Let this mind
be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus."
Phil 2:5
Distinctive Truth
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