Spice Up Your Life

Spices and Herbs often have more disease-fighting antioxidants than even most fruits and vegetables!  Therefore, including more fresh herbs, spices, and oils in your food will not only create more delicious tasting meals, but may also benefit the health of both; you and your family!

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) alleviates abdominal pain, improves salivary secretion and thus promotes digestion, reduces spasms of the trachea and bronchial tree, and provides antimicrobial protection; also is known to improve the flow of breast milk

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) improves appetite, alleviates abdominal cramping, promotes bile flow, and  helps to protect the digestive tract from viral and bacterial infections,. helps to expel phlegm from the respiratory tract, and protects from, as well as fights, bacterial infections.

Bay Leaf (Laurus nobilis) promotes appetite, alleviates digestive discomfort, improves digestion, protects from, and fights, bactrial infections of the digestive tract, helps to expel mucus from the respiratory tract, and reduces inflammation of the respiratory tract as well as the genitourinary tract.

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) promotes appetite, supports bile flow and digestion, reduces abdominal cramping and flatulence (gas), helps to expel mucus from the respiratory tract, and protects from, and helps to fight, fungal, viral, and bactrial infections.

Cayenne is used to provide relief to rheumatic and arthritic pains and from throat pain or sore throats. Cayenne is also used as an effective remedy for digestive tract ailments such as stomach cramps, acidity, acid reflux and gas, as well certain circulatory system ailments.

Celery Seed is used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and to lower cholesterol.  It is also known to be antiseptic and antibiotic in nature as well as have anti-inflammatory properties.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) supports a healthy appetite and digestion, promotes sweating, helps to protect from, and fights, bacterial and fungal infections, and tonifies the cardiovascular system.

Cloves are high in nutrients as they have a significant amount of proteins, iron, carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and hydrochloric acid. They are also rich in vitamins like A and C, manganese, and dietary fiber.  They are also used to treat indigestion, diarrhea, and to boost the immune system.

Coriander is used to treat colic and nausea. It also calms the digestive system.

Cumin (Cuminum cynimum) has antimicrobial properties, promotes a healthy appetite and digestion, and reduces abdominal spasms; also used for infrequent or weak menstrual flow.

Fennel is used for relief from anemia, indigestion, flatulence, constipation, colic, diarrhea, respiratory disorders, and menstrual disorders.

Garlic is used against infection as it improves immune function, helps lower our cholesterol levels, and helps to control our blood pressure by thinning our blood therefore lowering the risk of heart disease.

Ginger is used for nausea, motion sickness, and nausea due to chemotherapy.  It can be consumed when you are feeling car or airplane sickness, or even if you are simply nauseous from something bad you ate!

Nutmeg (especially nutmeg oil) is used to treat stress, pain, menstrual cramps, heart disorders, indigestion, blood pressure, cough and bad breath. However, nutmeg is toxic in large doses so care should be taken when using it.

Olive Oil (Extra Virgin) is known to decrease the risk of heart disease, as well as benefit bone health, digestive health and offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

Oregano (and Oil of Oregano) is used for protection against viral and bacterial infections.  It also has anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties.

Rosemary is used to calm the digestive system as well as treat headaches.

Sage has anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory properties and can be used by those with inflammatory conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis), as well as bronchial asthma, and atherosclerosis.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) promotes a healthy appetite and digestion, alleviates inflammation of the respiratory and digestive tracts, protects from, and helps to fight, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections, and promotes flow of urine.

Turmeric is used as an anti-inflammatory and may provide an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's Disease.  It can also provide relief for rheumatoid arthritis, help with cystic fibrosis and is thought to help prevent cancer.