Using Herbs and Spices for Stomach Relief

More and more people are turning to natural solutions for treating health issues rather than popping pills. While it is always essential to seek medical attention for serious or persistent symptoms, minor ailments such as the occasional stomachache can be soothed using certain herbs and spices. After reviewing my Herbs and Spices Permachart, I was amazed to see how many of these flavor enhancers have medicinal purposes. The following list describes some of these nature-made options you may be interested in looking into for stomach relief.

Cardamom is a spice made from the seed of a tropical fruit belonging to the ginger family, and is found in India and Guatemala. The spice's medicinal value can be traced back to the 4^th century B.C. when it was used as a digestive aid by the Greeks and Romans. Cardamom has been noted for relieving stomach pain and also works as a breath freshener. It is typically used in sweets like pies and breads, but it is also found in some coffee and tea blends. You can make your own cup of hot cardamom tea by following this recipe adapted from The Congo Cookbook:

-Steep one tea bag (like Earl Grey) in a mug or teacup filled with hot water for 5-7 minutes.

-After removing the bag from the cup, stir in about 1/8 of a teaspoon of ground cardamom.
-Add honey, sugar, or milk according to personal preference.

One of the most common and beloved spices in kitchens around the world is cinnamon. Made from the dried back of laurel trees in the cinnamomun family, it is found in parts of Asia and Central America. It was treasured by ancient Egyptians and Romans. The Romans believed it to be sacred, and finding more of the spice was even one of the driving forces for world exploration in the 1400s-1500s. Cinnamon is helpful in relieving stomach cramps. Eating ½ to 1 ½ teaspoons of cinnamon a day is ideal, and a 2007 article in Women's Health magazine offered some tasty ways of getting the spice into your diet. Try sprinkling on fruit, oatmeal, or cereal. It also adds delicious flavor to coffees, teas, peanut butter, and even milk.

Another spice with wonderful health properties is in actuality not just one spice but rather a mixture of several: curry powder. Surprisingly, curry powder rarely has anything from the actual curry plant in it. The exact blend used varies, but cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, coriander, nutmeg, saffron, and turmeric are commonly used in the powder. Although associated with Indian cuisine, the concept of curry powder was developed by the British as a way to mimic the flavors in Indian cooking. Curry powder contains so many healthful spices and herbs that have medicinal value; it is known to improve digestion, and even prevent flatulence. It can be used a number of ways, but it is commonly added to soups, stews, marinades for meat, and even dips.

Interestingly, mace is a spice made from the outer coating of the nutmeg seed. It is found in Indonesia and Grenada, and originated in the Molucca Islands of Indonesia. The spice, along with nutmeg, has been identified as one that helps provide relief from nausea and can work as an anti-flatulent. As suspected, it can be substituted for nutmeg in recipes. Mace can be used in backed goods, sprinkled on fruits, and added to savory vegetable dishes. Nutmeg is made rather obviously from the seed of the nutmeg tree, and is sweeter in flavor than mace is. This spice has a long history of being used to treat ailments; ancient Indian and Arabian literature contains references to nutmeg as a medicinal spice.

Moving onto herbs that offer stomach relief, fennel seed is a delicious option. It is made from the oval dried fruit of fennel plants and grows in places like India and Egypt. Fennel seed can be used to reduce pain in the stomach as well as intestinal cramps. It is found in some blends of curry powder, and is well-known for its use in Italian cooking. Try adding it to sauces for pasta. Although considered just a garnish by some, parsley is actually one of the most popular herbs in the United States. Its history is long, as it is known that the Romans used it as a both a garnish and to flavor dishes. It now grows plentifully in America after being brought here in the 1600s. Parsley is known as a breath freshener when chewed, but it also works to reduce heartburn. It can be used in salads, soups, and sauces.

Savory is an herb coming from a plant in the mint family. It is grown in the United States and is also found in Yugoslavia. You may not have heard of it, but chances are you have tasted it; the herb is a common ingredient in stuffing or dressing. Savory has been used as a bee sting treatment, and can sooth an upset stomach. Other than in stuffing recipes, try adding savory to stews, soups, and chowders.

Herbs and spices are fantastic tools for providing tons of flavor to your cooking, without adding calories and fat. These natural wonders have been known for quite some time to provide more than just a way to liven up dishes-they might just also offer some much needed stomach relief from those overindulgent meals. For more information about these and many other spices and herbs, visit the Spice & Herb Encyclopedia.