10 Spices That Heal: Cancer, Diabetes, and More

10 Spices That Heal: Cancer, Diabetes, and More

There is good reason for the season: Doctors and nutritionists agree that the same can be used as your medicine cabinet essential spice rack, when it comes to the prevention and treatment of disease. Research consistently shows that many spices and herbs have medicinal value, can help prevent everything from cancer to the common cold. We asked experts Glen Aukerman, MD, at Ohio State University Medical Center of Integrative Medicine Center Medical Director, and Dr. Ruth Knill, Latin America and the Caribbean, China TCM spices and herbs, the best improvement in overall health. Here are their picks, plus an easy way to work them into your diet.

Cumin: prevention of cancer

Working principle is: It is not surprising that many spices lower incidence of cancer researchers in India, cumin is a staple food. Research shows that this spice curcumin inhibited enzymes that help cancer cells invade healthy tissue, but also to the development of new tumor blood vessels, helping them grow. Trying to get: 6 teaspoons of seeds or powder 1/2 teaspoon one day. Use it: Toss a bowl of root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, parsnips, cauliflower, radish, with olive oil and 1 teaspoon cumin powder. Bake at 300 degrees 25 minutes or until tender and add salt, pepper and chopped parsley to taste before serving.

Ginger: nausea, sedation

Works: Chinese medical texts dating back to the fourth century BC tout ginger antiemetic properties, and modern clinical research to provide scientific evidence that it works in the substance ginger Close nerve receptors in the body triggers the vomiting reflex. Try to get juice 1 tablespoon fresh ginger 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger four times a day. Use it: Add 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger and your usual tuna salad recipe Asian style grilled taste a few drops of sesame oil.

Basil: Fight colds

How it works: Basil is rich in antioxidants that help enhance immunity. It is also an antibacterial, against the bacteria that can cause a cold. Try to get: 1 to 2 tablespoons per day. Use it: In the past three to five minutes of cooking into a shrimp stir-fry, add 1 tablespoon chopped basil. Or sliced ​​strawberries, honey, toss, and set aside for 15 minutes until juicy. Then top with a few tablespoons of chopped basil.

Cinnamon: Fight Diabetes

Working principle is: people with type 2 diabetes have difficulty processing insulin tells the cell from the blood to remove excess sugars, hormones. But studies show that cinnamon contains a substance that can help cells to insulin. The result? Blood glucose levels decreased from 18 to 29 percent of average, according to a recent study in Pakistan. Try to get: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon (or bar) one day. Use it: Mix 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, as well as all over the apple slices.

Rosemary: improve memory

How it works: "There is rosemary, which is to commemorate the" Ophelia Hamlet says more than 400 years ago. Today, a variety of studies back up Ophelia requirements. Rosemary ursolic acid inhibited a neurotransmitter essential for memory failure. Try to get: 1 to 2 teaspoons per day. Use it: rosemary into a simple syrup mixed water 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup, 2 sprigs rosemary. Bring to boil, dissolve the sugar and let sit 10-15 minutes. In an autumn fruit salad with chopped apples, pears, red grapes drizzle. Use 1 cup syrup to 4 cups fruit.

Garlic: lower cholesterol

How it works: Although researchers do not agree on how to reduce cholesterol garlic really, comments Pauling Institute conducted several studies found that 6-11%, total cholesterol garlic people who three months. Because garlic is an antioxidant that can prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the arteries. Try to get: 3-5 crushed cloves one day. Use it to bake a 5 garlic cloves, homemade hummus before adding whipped.

Nutmeg: lower blood pressure

How it works: "Climate warming" spices like cardamom can put blood from the center of the body skin. This helps more evenly distributed throughout the body of blood, reducing the overall pressure. Try to get: 1/2 to 1 tsp. Use it: Steam 1, broccoli and potatoes until soft, then use 1/4 cup butter and 4-5 grating of fresh nutmeg or 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg puree.

Cloves: Helps Arthritis Pain

How it works: According to Chinese medicine, cloves have hot and moving performance, reduce pain caused by arthritis cold and stagnation. Cloves contain a phytochemical that interrupts the pathway in the human body protein complex and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis. Try to get: 1/2 tsp. Use it: Panji 1 cup fresh parsley (chopped), 1 clove garlic (crushed), 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon cloves. After 3 minutes, add 4 cups chopped rhubarb chard, and fry until soft and tender, about 5 minutes. Serve hot with chicken or fish.

Turmeric: curb inflammation

Working principle is: an ancient spice, so deep golden orange curry, turmeric reduces the body, causing pain and inflammation. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, inhibit enzymes, help inflammation. Try to get: 1/2 to 1 tsp. Use it to add a dash of organic canned soups, such as tomatoes, lentils, black beans varieties.

Thyme: Reducing cough

How it works: Thyme is a spasm, which helps bouts of coughing, uninterrupted. Thyme corrosion resistance also makes it very effective against inflammation of the throat, can cause coughing. Try to get: 2 to 3 teaspoons daily. Use it: For a simple vinaigrette, whisk together 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves, 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil.