Ginger: Relieves morning sickness and motion sickness. Kills some of the bacterial caused by food poisoning. Good for upset stomach or headache. Make a tea by adding 1 teaspoon of powder to a cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes and drink. Fights inflamation, reduces spasms and cramps, stimulates circulation, protects stomach, helps arthritis, fever, headache and hot flashes and muscle pain.
Sage: Reduce menopausal hot flashes and night sweats by drinking a cup of sage tea three times a day. Add 1/2 teaspoon of sage to 1 cup boiling water, steep 10 minutes, drink.
Cinnamon: Relieves nausea, counteracts congestion, aids peripheral circulation, warms body, enhances digestion, dries up sniffles,(for sniffles and diarrhea, make a tea by adding 1 teaspoon cinnamon to 1 cup of boiling water) controls heavy menstrual bleeding.fights fungal infection, good for diabetes (adding 1/2 teaspoon a day to food or drinks can lower blood glucose levels , weight loss, yeast infection.
Cloves: Antiseptic and anti-parasitic properties, a digestive aid, relieves tooth pain.
Thyme: Rich in germ-killing compounds thyme can help heal a sore throat and ease coughs, colds and bronchitis. One teaspoon of thyme in boiling water for 10 minutes, strained, can be drunk or gargled. Sweeten as desired with honey, date sugar, or other natural sweeteners.
For colds and flu, lemon and honey in a cup of boiling water. Lemon is antiseptic and honey is anti-biotic.
This came from a scrapbook collection that I have, but there are many sources online where you can read similar things about using spices:
http://www.school-for-champions.com/health/fleming_spices.htm
http://www.mercola.com/2003/dec/13/holiday_spices.htm
http://www.lionsgrip.com/curry.html
http://www.webmd.com/content/chat_transcripts/1/107809
http://www.foodproductdesign.com/articles/462/462_641nutrinotes.html
Vanilla, almonds, and many other flavors are said to have some health benefits. You can easily make a mixture of vanilla and cinnamon and simmer, just for the pleasure of smelling it. The sense of smell has a lot to do with a feeling of wellness.
Note: Pregnant women should check with their midwives before using spices, and anyone on drugs (pharmacuetical) should not take them because they react with the drugs unfavorably. Also, if you are addicted to anything, most of these remedies will not work. There are ways of detoxing the body, through a period of healthful eating, rest, good water and exercise, that will help you maintain good health and be able to tolerate herbs and spices, fruits and vegetables.
9 comments:
Dearest lady Lydia,
many thanks for this article - it's always good for one to be reminded of our Creator's bounty and its uses.
www.worldshealthiestfoods.com also has much information concerning the health benefits of herbs, fruits and vegetables.
In my own experience,, if one suffers from reflux periodically (as do i sometimes even after the blandest of foods), Watermelon, rockmelon, honeydue or cucumber provide instant relief. Mint tea is an excellent digestive, and green tea is brimming with antioxidant benefits that the health profession has barely scratched the surface about.
May I add, if at all posible, using fresh herbs and whole, unground spices is preferable, as pre-ground spices lose their vitality and aroma.
Affordable whole spices are easily obtainable from either your Indian or Lebanese delicatesson, along with beans, lentils and a treasure trove of other cullinary and herb/spice wonders.
Blessings,
Mrs. E,
Australia.
It should be known that sage can cause a decrease in breastmilk in nursing mothers, so they should be cautioned against any use of sage.
My husband went through a bout some months back with sore throat and general blahs. I mixed 4 oz. hot water, 1 tsp. lemon juice, and 1 tbsp. Maine honey (the local honey is clover, and he doesn't care for it, but Maine honey is usually from blueberry fields), and gave it to him twice or three times daily. He was back on his feet in a few days.
Peppermint tea is also good for headaches and sinus congestion! I've tried using bananas for nausea, and for anything but serious cases, just the smell of the banana (ripe, not greenish) when peeled can straighten things out--but I had to follow by eating the banana, or else it wore off. But that might just be me.
I also heard of a remedy that I haven't had occasion to try yet: for severe nausea, when you can't even get water down, just take a fresh slice of ginger and hold it in your hand, so that the juice from it penetrates your skin. I've been told it calms the stomach right down, even for those undergoing chemotherapy.
Sorry for rattling on. I just thought these might also be interesting! The ones here already are very good; I wonder how many of them are useful for babies? Must investigate before Baby is born...
Mrs. Bartlett
Raspberry leaf is supposed to be effective for morning sickness.
Thanks for sharing with us! Spices and herbs are definitely something that we should take advantage of. You have made me get, once again, interested in researching about the health benefits of some of the herbs in my cupboard.
Red raspberry leaf tea, is widely and safely used in later pregnancy. It helps strengthen and tone the muscles in the uterus, preparing your womb for labour. Before using any sort of herbal tea, please speak to your midwife or care provider to discuss how many cups per day and how the tea should be made. Some care providers only recomend it in the second and third trimester, as it could cause bleeding in early pregnancy.
I think probiotics in yogurt have made a tremendous difference in my resistance to colds and flu. Plus they are said to synthesize B vitamins. I found this site listing benefits:
http://www.easiyo.com/health/
Article on pro-biotics in capsules -
http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/index.php?id=86&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=250
Lately I've been using kefir and hope it works as well as yogurt.
http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html
Ooh.. you forgot garlic. Garlic is a natural antibiotic. Eat lots of it if you feel a cold coming on - especially in chicken noodle soup!
Garlic juice will cure an ear infection - use 3-4 drops in the ear at night. (Breast milk also cures one within 24 hours!)
Crushed garlic in honey can be an effective cough remedy, as can peppermint, which is an anticonvulsant.
Honey is also has antibiotic properties, the Romans used wine (alcohol) and honey to dress wounds.
And last but not least, cayenne will cure strep throat (as well as open the sinuses!)
Make a solution of cayenne pepper and water, and either gargle or spray on the back of the throat. You might need to do this a couple of times - at least 6 hours apart.
Peppermint oil applied to the temples provides instant headache relief.
Cayenne powder instantly stops bleeding.
Lavender oil provides instant relief when applied to a burn.
These three remedies are truly amazing. Even the worst skeptic has looked at me with wide eyes at the results.
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