Curative Powers of Herbs and Spices

There is no dearth of strong and very effective medicine in this day and age. One would have thought that by now all disease would have been wiped out. Unfortunately, that has not happened. Man is waging war on disease and disease is fighting back by growing stronger and more lethal. Medicine has also evolved - it has become very strong, and the chemicals that we ingest must be destroying more than the virus or germs they are designed to kill. Perhaps we were better off when most of our cures were found in the kitchen and in our gardens.

Given this scenario, it is quite unsurprising that there is a trend of sorts to return to the ancient psycho-somatic ways of healing like Ayurveda. Ayurveda treats a human being as a triad of body+mind+soul and treats through diet. The system of medicine is based on the premise that what we eat affects out body and our mind. Indian food is cooked with a lot of fresh herbs and spices. As my grandmother used to say, the best medicine cabinet is the kitchen shelf. Common ailments can be treated at home through a judicious use of herbs and spices. Herbs are often termed as "nature's pharmacy." Their curative powers are similar to modern drugs, but by and large, they are gentler and safer. Drugs are frequently derived from herbs and spices by isolating the active agent, but Ayurveda and other herbalist streams of medicine use whole plants, leaves, flowers, roots and seeds. Whole plants contain substances that work synergistically and thus side step the side effects that isolated compounds may give.

TEN COMMONLY USED HERBS

1. Cumin: This is a very commonly used and a very well known spice. It is rich in minerals such as Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Iron, Phosphorous and nutritional vitamins like thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin A and C. It also has a volatile oil which is a rich source of thymol.

2. Aniseed: This spice has a natural oil which is a powerful carminative and antiflatulent. It is also a diuretic and diaphoretic. It helps to bring out the congested phlegm in the bronchioles and thus functions as an expectorant. After a heavy meal, chewing a handful of aniseed seeds can act as an aromatic mouth freshener and also aid digestion.

3. Pepper: Also known as "King of Spices". This is one of the oldest spices known to mankind. It is also easy to use; one can just sprinkle it on a dish to spice it up. It stimulates the digestive juices as well as the nerves and is has been used to treat digestive disorders. Pepper contains Iron, calcium, Phosphorus, Carotene, Thiamine and other minerals.

4. Coriander: Originally a Mediterranean aromatic spice, it is used to treat indigestion, nausea, chickenpox and typhoid fever.

5. Turmeric: This is a perennial herb, and is also a wonder drug. The dry roots or more accurately the underground rhizomes are popular both for cooking as well as medicine. Turmeric contains Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Carotene, Thiamine and Niacin. Turmeric is a powerful vitalizer for the entire gastro-intestinal tract, strengthening and enriching the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. It is regularly used by herbal systems of medicine like Ayurvedic as one of the best blood purifiers and also as an antiseptic, both internally and externally.

6. Onion: Onion does not only make food tasty, it is also a good medicinal herb. It enhances appetite, is known to be antiflatulent, antiseptic, antipyretic, and aphrodisiac, builds tissues and is a cardiac tonic as it strengthens the heart muscles. Chewing on raw onions has proved efficacious in cases of spongy and bleeding gums, and for inflamed sore throats. It regulates menstrual disorders in females, and increases the amount of healthy sperm in males.

7. Ginger: This root has been known to cure various ailments. Traditional Chinese medicine has recommended ginger for over 2,500 years. It is used for abdominal bloating, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, and rheumatism. Ginger is commonly used in the Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of inflammatory joint diseases, such as arthritis. It is a popular home remedy to combat nausea after surgery.

8. Garlic: Garlic was known to the Chinese even as early as 3000 B.C. It is another tasty powerhouse of curative substances. It contains Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin and Vitamin C. It also contains traces of iodine and sulphur which make it a powerful antiseptic.

9. Mint: Fresh mint leaves contain many minerals and the Vitamins C, D and E. Mint leaves stimulate the appetite, promote digestion, and relieve flatulency and biliousness. They are also a good tonic for the stomach and liver. These leaves can be used in cases of colic too.

10. Indian Basil: This plant has been known and venerated in India since the Vedic times and used for its medicinal properties. The essential oil extracted from Indian Basil has the property to destroy bacteria and insects. It is a good nerve tonic and is used as a mental elevator to depression and metal stress. Its regular use sharpens the memory, purifies the blood, reduces blood cholesterol, removes kidney congestion and renal calculi, and regulates blood pressure.