by Winter Spencer

Created on: January 20, 2009   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

Many everyday spices are actually benefiting your health. Here are six common spices you can use in your cooking to help your body while flavoring your food. You can also find out which of these herbs you can take in capsules and which you can't. Though these herbs and spices help in cooked foods, it is better if it is raw. If you are using these spices to cook, try sprinkling a little before cooking and some after, depending on the food.

Ginger: Ginger is known by many as an aid to motion sickness and nausea but it has many other health benefits. Ginger fights cancer, lowers high cholesterol levels, several antioxidants contained by ginger are proven to clot the blood, and ginger also helps to prevent heart disease. Ginger may be used for alcoholism, chills, muscular aches and pains. Ginger can be worked into many different dishes and not just in deserts. Fresh ginger root can be peeled and grated and powdered can be sprinkled and added to rice, spicy meat dishes, tofu, or even salads. Just add to taste. Ginger can be found powdered in the spice section or fresh in the veggie section of almost any grocery store. Capsule form can be found in vitamin or health food stores. Ginger tea can always be found in any herb shop and sometimes in grocery stores. Crystallized, candied ginger can be bought at health food or herb shops. It can also be made by following the recipe found at http://homecooking.about.com/od/dessertrecipes/ht/cr ystalginger.htm

Basil: Basil is a very powerful antispasmodic, is antiviral, anti-infectious, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and a decongestant. Basil is said to be helpful for migraines, mental fatigue, and scant menstrual periods. Basil can be relaxing to both smooth and striated muscles, stimulating to the sense of smell, and soothing for insect bites. In almost every past recipe basil is called for. Pesto made from basil is heavenly with pasta and rolls. Basil is available in essential oil, and capsules in health food stores or herb shops. It can always be found dried in the spice section of the grocery store, and sometimes fresh if in season in the fresh veggie section.

Cayenne: Cayenne is considered to be very powerful. Cayenne has the ability to increase blood flow to the sick affected parts of the body. People prone to hypothermia often keep cayenne tincture with them. A couple of drops on the tongue will bring a person turning blue back around to normal. Cayenne owes its hot flavor to a chemical called capsaicin. Cayenne goes

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>