Spice up your life!

Spice up your life!

I've been meaning to write this post forever years ago, but never got around to it. I mean, I'm writing this in the bus for Pete's sake! Diligently tapping on the tiny keyboard that is my phone, my thumbs red and sore. They don't call 'em "berry thumbs" (or crackberry) for nothin'!

That said, this post is about something completely different. I want to talk about spices. We all have them in our kitchen, half of which we don't know how to use or even why. Some people, like me, just get trigger happy at the Indian store, while others are trying to utilize that nifty spice rack grandma bought them last Christmas. You just didn't have the heart to re-gift. And then there are those people who just have a knack for cooking, bending over a steaming pot of soup, throwing and handful here, a pinch there, and creating some delicious concoction that can never be duplicated.

But chances are, all these have something in common. A lot of people don't know that spices have medicinal and healing properties. So, I've compiled a list of common spices and how they can benefit your health in many ways. I definitely had to pick and choose among many, many benefits. Of course, I mostly chose the ones that would prevent me the embarrassment of talking about certain bodily functions and mishaps (There's no posh way to talk about flatulance).


Anise (Aniseed): Anise comes from the Parsley family, believe it or not. The Romans used to bake anise into a cake, which they would consume at meal times. This worked out perfectly because anise is known to prevent indigestion from overeating. These days, it is more popularly known as one of the key ingredients in Ricard, a yellowish liqueur drunk after meals (no pun intended). Personally i really don't like anise. I think it tastes/smells awful. But if you like it, then indulge! Anise helps stimulate the glands, especially for women. It regulates estrogen and can even improve the potency of breast milk (though it is not a spice to take while you're pregnant). Anise also breaks up the mucus in your digestive system and is an all-around great spice for the lungs. It can help improve asthma, bronchitis, coughing an even emphysema. Finally, anise is a stimulator: brain, heart, liver, lungs, you name it! (source). Anise decreases Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta.

Quick tip: Anise oil works really well in getting rid of head lice.


Cardamom: Cardamom works on both the digestive system (relieves gas, acidity and cramping) and respiratory system (it increases blood flow to the lungs) It's also a good mind stimulator and brings mental clarity. It is said to break down kidney and gallbladder stones, as well as treat urinary tract infections. Finally, cardamom is a good spice to take for all-around weakness or if you feel tired and mentally depleted. Cardamom balances all three doshas.


Quick Tip: Buy cardamom pods and use the back of a spoon to crush them open. This will increase the flavor of the spice, because cardamom is known to lose its freshness more rapidly than other spices.

Cinnamon: Cinnamon does not get a gold star from my taste buds either. I think it's because a lot of the cinnamon commonly used has a really artificial taste and it's also because people put cinnamon on everything. Ugh. It's difficult to find a tart or pie that is not drenched in the stuff. Real, fresh cinnamon is better smelling, although i still won't cook with it. What can i say? My taste buds are very controlling. But i guess most people don't agree with me, because cinnamon is one of the spices that propelled world exploration and trade. Like anise, it is not good for pregnant women to take. But it is good for menstrual symptoms, as it calms the stomach and for menopause. Cinnamon is anti-bacterial and can suppress E. coli and excess candida (good for yeast infections too). Finally cinnamon is also a natural food preservative. Ahhh so THAT'S why they use it in cakes. Cinnamon decreases Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta.

Quick tip: Cinnamon is anti-fungal and can be used to treat athlete's foot!

Bonus! New Age quick tip: Cinnamon is linked with attracting money, so you can sprinkle this powder over the bills in your wallet. Trust me, i have been handed a cinnamon encrusted bill before!


Cloves: Okay, so i'm not a big fan of cloves either. Don't worry, my favorite spices are coming up! But Clove is great for the teeth and i do use it when i take my Gum Tone. It disinfects and anesthetizes, so dentists often use it. But clove can also be an irritant because of the oils inside the spice. Never take too much clove for too long, as it can irritate the stomach. I've seen this spice dissolve aluminum and melt plastic! How crazy is that!? Taken in moderation, cloves are good for stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is also the strongest germicidal of all herbs (no kidding! It MELTED my plastic spoon) and it is good for blood circulation. Clove decreases Kapha, increases Vata and Pitta (rajasic).

Quick tip: Clove is a great mosquito and moth repellent!


Coriander: Yum! I love coriander. Coriander is great for digestion, detoxing and enhancing your natural defenses, especially against allergens. It also has a multitude of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B complex, iron, phosphorus, calcium and anti-oxidants. I use it in my curries all the time. It adds so much flavor and deliciousness! Coriander balances all three doshas.


Quick tip: Coriander mixed with water makes an excellent eyewash.

Cumin: Cumin is another spice that i love. In my head, its coriander's brother. I can't cook one without the other. They also make cute baby names: Imagine: Cumin and Coriander. Teehee! Cumin is a cleansing spice and helps the liver be more active. It allows oxygen to pervade the blood stream and purifies the blood. Cumin is anti-carcinogenic, aids digestions and also contains a multitude of vitamins and minerals. It was used by Egyptians to embalm Pharaohs and in the Middle Ages, people believed cumin has the power to keep lovers from straying. It balances all doshas.

Quick tip: Cumin will help you with insomnia. It's both a stimulant and a relaxer, but the oils in cumin have a tranquilizing effect.


Fennel: Fennel improves digestions and eliminates gas, but it also helps with all kinds of stomach-related issues such as bloating, cramping, nausea, hernia, abdominal pain, etc. It's a good source of vitamin A and clears mucus from the liver and lungs. It also improves the quantity and quality of breast milk. Fennel is the most sattwic spice. It balances all three doshas.

Quick tip: Fennel is an antidote to poisonous mushrooms!


Fenugreek: I absolutely love Fenugreek. When i was little, my mom used to give me Fenugreek capsules for my allergies and i loved them so much that i used to let the capsule dissolve in my mouth and just eat the powder. Nowadays, i love just sprinkling it over my rice. Fenugreek is a rejuvenative herb that promotes longevity. It's the oldest known medicinal herb. Fenugreek is also used to lower blood sugar and regulate insulin, thus helpful in treating diabetes. Fenugreek dissolves hardened accumulated mucus and phlegm, especially for those who often indulge in cheese or dairy in general. Because it gets rid of mucous, it helps with disease in general and aids the body to drain the lymphatic system and promotes blood circulation. A mucus-less body is a huge step toward a healthy body. It is not to be used while pregnant (may lead to miscarriage). Fenugreek decreases Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta.

Quick tip: Dried Fenugreek leaves can act as an insect repellent in your food pantry.



Ginger: I have already talked about Ginger in a previous post. Ginger enhances the healing properties of all other herbs and spices. It's amazing against colds and flu, as well as digestive problems. Ginger decreases Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta.



Quick Tip: Drinking Ginger tea before eating will help your taste buds naturally select foods that your body needs.


Licorice Root: Licorice is 50 times sweeter than sugarcane. In European pharmacies, you can purchase pieces of licorice root to chew on and help get rid of bad habits, such as smoking, biting your fingernails or snacking. I used to chew on them all the time as a kid and everyone always wondered why i was chewing on wood. Hehe. Licorice is great for arthritis, liver detoxing and coughing. It normalizes the menstrual cycle, quenches thirst and acts as a natural hormone similar to cortisone. It is also excellent for the heart, the throat (voice) and to combat acidity. It purifies the blood, mixes well with ginger to combat colds and coughs, improves hair, skin, eyes. Do not use this spice while pregnant. Contrary to popular belief, licorice is not used in licorice candy (they use anise oil). Licorice decreases Vata and Pitta, but can increase Kapha if used long term.

Quick tip: Spiritually, licorice is said to promote contentment and harmony.




Nutella: Sorry guys, no dice.


Quick tip: Spread Nutella on toast and dunk it into your tea. Yum!!




Nutmeg: Nutmeg is a great brain tonic. It helps with stress and mental exhaustion, while stimulating the brain and promoting concentration. But watch out, as nutmeg is also a strong sedative. Nutmeg is great for muscle and joint pain. It's also great for mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, as well as nervousness.

Quick tip: Sprinkle nutmeg in warm milk and drink it to help fall asleep. Bonus: Nutmeg improves the quality of your dreams!



Black Pepper: Pepper is a powerful anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.
Black Pepper helps the healing properties of other herbs navigate toward different parts of the body. It is good for a variety of ailments, including stomach worms, skin eruptions, toothaches, and throat problems. It also helps increase the flow of digestive enzymes. Pepper decreases Vata and Kapha, increases Pitta.

Quick tip: Heating black pepper enhances its healing properties.



Turmeric: Turmeric is THE healing herb by excellence. Besides being a very powerful anti-oxidant. it is purifying for the lungs, the liver and heart. Often turmeric is used in face packs because it is excellent for the skin. Just be aware that this bright yellow powder is also a powerful dye and can turn your face and pillows yellow if you use too much of it! It is advised to mix it with milk to wash the face. Turmeric is also anti-carcinogenic (especially bowel and colon cancer, so eat up!) and can help reduce brain inflammation that causes Alzheimer's. Turmeric balances all three doshas.

Quick Tip: Turmeric is excellent for clearing and cleaning the chakras.


In Ayurveda, it's very important to cook with spices. You can use certain spices, such as cumin/coriander/turmeric in hot water and drink it along with your meal to help promote digestion. Or you, can make yogi tea with the sweeter spices (recipe below). I also want to note that spices from grocery stores are often less fresh and potent from those of herbal stores. You can definitely see a difference in color and smell.

I couldn't include all the spices in the world. Obviously we're missing the mints (which i don't really consider spices) and spices such as paprika or cayenne pepper (so strong, it doesn't need an introduction). I heard Saffron is a spice, but i fail to detect a taste. It just looks cool to put in your rice!


Buy Yogi Tea here or make your own (bulk recipe as taught by Yogi Bhajan):

3 quarts of boiling water
20 whole cloves
20 whole green cardamom pods
20 whole black peppercorns
5 sticks of cinnamon

Continue boiling for 15 to 20 minutes, then add:
1/4 teaspoon of any black tea

Wait 2 minutes, then add:
1/2 cup of cold milk per cup of remaining liquid.

When it returns to the boiling point, remove immediately from heat. Strain and serve with honey to taste, as desired (only add honey when the tea is cooled enough to drink, or else it will cook and turn toxic).

Blue text is quoted from "Kundalini Yoga: The Flow of Eternal Power" by Shakti Parwa Kaur Khalsa.

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