Healthy Spices: Healing Effects of Cinnamon and Co.

Healthy spices – this is how they develop the healing effect

Spices can help you with gastrointestinal problems, inflammation, or a cold.

• Cooking for too long destroys the healthy ingredients. Always season food towards the end of the cooking time.
• Use organic spices. Since chemical fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited in organic cultivation, the spices are not contaminated. In addition, genetic engineering is not allowed. Harvested spices are gently dried. In this way, their aroma is almost completely preserved. After harvesting, the spices are checked for pests by hand and sorted out if necessary.

Cinnamon has an antibacterial effect

Cinnamon has been used as a spice and medicinal plant in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years.

• The spice improves your digestion and also helps with rheumatic and arthritic pain. Cinnamon has an antibacterial effect, kills fungi, promotes blood circulation, calms, warms, and is said to strengthen the kidneys.
• However, using too much cinnamon can cause liver damage. The aromatic substance coumarin contained in the spice is responsible for this. This is mainly present in cassia cinnamon. Ceylon cinnamon, on the other hand, was classified as harmless to health by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, since coumarin is only found here in traces. Cassia cinnamon is mostly used for industrially manufactured products because this variety is cheaper.
• Adults should not consume more than one level teaspoon of cinnamon per day, which corresponds to around 2 grams. Children should consume a maximum of half a gram.

Nutmeg promotes digestion

TCM uses nutmeg primarily for digestive problems.

• Nutmeg helps you with muscle pain and rheumatic problems. It also has a warming effect. Warm nutmeg milk in the evening helps with problems falling asleep. The best healing effect is achieved by grating fresh nutmeg. A pinch is enough.
• Important: Nutmeg is a drug. Therefore, you should not use more than 3 grams. Larger amounts are toxic and lead to persistent nausea and liver damage. Consuming whole nutmeg can be fatal to young children.

Anise brightens the mood

You should use anise, especially in the dark winter months, as it can improve the mood.

• Anise oil has expectorant properties and is a natural expectorant. You can prevent belching and heartburn by taking anise. Aniseed tea sweetened with honey will help you fall asleep. The spice is also considered an aphrodisiac.
• Star anise tastes spicier and hotter than anise. It helps you with colds and digestive problems. It also strengthens the kidneys. The spice is warming and stimulating.

Saffron calms the nerves

The saffron threads are harvested by hand, which is why this spice is extremely expensive. However, it is also economical, so you only need to use small amounts.

• Saffron has been used for various ailments since the Middle Ages. The spice is also known as an aphrodisiac. However, this effect has not yet been medically confirmed.
• However, it has been medically confirmed that saffron has a digestive and heart-stimulating effect. In addition, the spice calms the nerves and the relaxing effect helps you with sleeping problems.

Digestion under control with cardamom

Cardamom comes from the same family as ginger.

• Use the spice for urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal problems. If you use cardamom in coffee, the drink becomes more digestible. If you have a feeling of fullness and discomfort, chewing cardamom seeds will help you.
• If you have high blood pressure, cardamom should not be used because it stimulates heart function. The spice can also trigger allergies. If you already suffer from allergies, you should therefore first carefully test how you react to cardamom.

Cloves are anti-inflammatory

Cloves were also valued as a spice and used for healing in Europe as early as the Middle Ages.

• The eugenol contained in the clove has an anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effect. Bacteria, fungi, and viruses cannot spread thanks to the essential oils. Dentistry is therefore an important field of application. Chewed cloves provide a pleasantly fresh breath.
• The spice also supports your digestion. Spanish scientists discovered that cloves contain phenolic compounds, which also have anticoagulant properties. These compounds can protect your cells from free radicals.