The Beauty of Spices - Ward off Disease and Maintain Wellness
by Beth Biggee, MD
“Spices, the friend of physicians and the pride of cooks. ”
Fall in the Northeast is full of olfactory memories such as apple cider steeping with spices or ginger tea with cinnamon baked pumpkin bread. This month we will focus on some of the best spices to ward off diseases and maintain wellness.
My favorite spice of all time is ginger, dating 5000 years ago. It is a warming spice and the most widely cultivated spice in the world. It can be used fresh, dried, crystallized, pickled, or powdered. It can be consumed in dishes, steeped as tea, or taken just a teaspoon before dinner. You can grate fresh ginger and place in water to sip on to aid digestion all day long. It also comes as supplemental capsule.
Ginger can aide all Ayurveda doshas; vata, kapha, pitta. In excess it can aggravate pitta causing increased gastric secretions and heartburn, so fresh ginger is best for pitta dosha. This spice helps sluggish digestion which is at the root of many autoimmune diseases. It relieves nausea, moves the gut, relieves gas, and acts as a prebiotic. It is an anti inflammatory and antioxidant and it can also ward off colds flus and urinary tract infections.
Turmeric has been used as a medical aid for over 2000 years. It is the major ingredient in curry powder. Turmeric is also a member of the ginger family. In addition to having many polyphenols, turmeric has curcumin, which is a potent inhibitor of inflammation acting on chemical pathways similar to how some prescription anti-inflammatories work.
Like ginger, turmeric is a warming spice, good for all doshas but may flare pitta or vata in excess. It is an excellent anti inflammatory and can also relieve digestive issues, respiratory congestion, and autoimmunity. Turmeric can be a supplement, a spice to cook with, freshly grated, a tea, or a powder put in milk called Golden milk.
This spice is poorly absorbed so it is best taken with pepper or in divided doses two to three times a day and with food. Be mindful pepper and turmeric may interact with prescription medication so review with your health care providers. In excessive amounts, turmeric can increase production of kidney stones or gallstones.
Lastly, cinnamon from bark of the cinnamon tree is a warming spice helpful for soothing vata and kapha imbalance. It can reduce inflammation particularly of the throat and lung and ward off infections with antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. It may also help to regulate glucose. Cinnamon spice can be added to dishes, teas, and used as an essential oil for aromatherapy. I would avoid using high dose capsule supplements since they can cause gastrointestinal distress and liver problems. This is a perfect spice to add in cooking and baking or in your morning hot tea or coffee.