What spices and herbs are in your pantry? Below is a list of some spices and herbs that have the potential to pack a powerful healthy punch to foods. Check them out and start using them on your foods today!
Cinnamon
This has become a popular spice due to its possibility of lowering blood glucose levels in people with diabetes. While studies remain inconclusive for this claim, it still is a great spice to use in everyday meal preparations.
Uses:
- Sprinkle on top of fruit, yogurt and oatmeal
- Use within baked goods (such as muffins, waffles, etc.) or on top of baked squashes such as butternut or acorn.
- Add to chili to create the “Cincinnati” touch
Red Pepper
This spice can actually be effective in pain relief when applied topically. It also has the possibility to be effective in treating cluster headaches, back pain, fibromyalgia, and season allergies.
Uses:
- Most often seen in Mexican, Indian, Italian, and Caribbean cuisines
- Creates a level of heat and bite to seasoning blends for meats, seafood and veggies
- Great replacement for salt to flavor various foods
Ginger
This wonderful root spice is possibly most effective in treating post-op nausea and vomiting, morning sickness, vertigo, osteoarthritis, and painful menstruation. There is inconclusive evidence to support its effectiveness in helping with chemotherapy-induced nausea, myalgia, migraine headaches and rheumatoid arthritis.
Uses:
- Often accompanies sushi to clean the palate
- Used in Indian curries and European, Japanese, and Chinese spice blends
- Used in popular baked goods such as gingerbread and ginger snap cookies
- Ginger Ale is often sweetened with ginger to give it its classic taste
Garlic
This bulb has the potential to be a powerful treatment for colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, hypertension, atherosclerosis, tick bites, and a variety of skin conditions when used topically such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
Uses:
- Most often used in Italian pastas and dishes
- Excellent when sautéed with vegetables
- Great to add to sauces, marinades and dressings
Rosemary
This wonderfully fragrant bush’s leaves can potentially be effective in treating alopecia areata or hair loss.
Uses:
- Often used in Mediterranean cuisines and seasoning blends for lamb
- Also great sprinkled on top of ice cream and mousses
- Give your meat a kick in flavor by adding a spring to your roast pan or on the grill
- Mix with orange to create a sweet glaze
- Cook with potatoes and other veggies to up the flavor of these foods
Oregano
In addition to providing great flavor to pizza and other Italian dishes, this spice can possibly be effective in treating intestinal parasitic infections.
Uses:
- Most often used in pizza sauces and pasta sauces
- Mexican oregano is found in chili powders and adds additional flavor to Mexican dishes
- Excellent additive to sautéed bean and vegetables dishes
- Salad topper
- Good on baked acorn squash and spaghetti squash
Curcumin (also known as Turmeric)
This spice is a member of the ginger family and is possibly effective in treating osteoarthritis and indigestion. There is inconclusive evidence to support its ability to help alleviate Alzheimer’s disease, eye swelling, colorectal cancer, skin cancer, and rheumatoid arthritis. There is little reliable evidence to support its use for any health condition because few clinical trials have been conducted. Nevertheless, it is a tasty spice that can bring unbelievable taste to many dishes.
Uses:
- Often an important ingredient in curry mixes
- Add a pinch to spruce up an egg salad
- Used in many Moroccan dishes
- Pair well with turkey, chicken, duck, rice, veggies, and salad dressings
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