Cayenne
Photo source: John Winkelman on flickr (cc)
Cayenne pepper can add a kick to your chili or ease your joint and muscle pains. Those suffering from arthritis, skin blisters, and back pain find comfort by adding dried cayenne powder to hot water, pouring the mixture on a towel, and applying the damp towel to the problem area. Its cardiovascular benefits are numerous, ranging from increased circulation to stopping nosebleeds. If a nosebleed comes on (or if you’re prone to them), try drinking a cup of hot water with a few shakes of cayenne pepper. It will take pressure off the hemorrhaging area and promote clotting to stop the blood loss.
Rosemary
Photo source: thebittenword.com on flickr (cc)
Ancient Greeks believed that rosemary increased brain activity and memory. Its smell is thought to stimulate the senses, relieving stress and elevating energy levels. In essential oil form, it may even prompt hair growth. Rosemary is also great for curing headaches because it opens up constricted blood vessels. Try putting a dab of rosemary oil on your temples, or brew a cup of rosemary tea and drink it a few times a day.
Cinnamon
Photo source: 00dann on flickr (cc)
The addition of cinnamon to meals can lower their blood sugar impact on bodies by increasing insulin activity, making the spice a good choice for diabetics. Even those who don’t like the taste of cinnamon can reap its benefits by smelling its fragrance. Research suggests that just smelling cinnamon or chewing cinnamon gum can improve brain power and memory. A study at the Teikyo University Institute in Medical Mycology in Japan also linked cinnamon to a reduction in fungi that causes ailments such as athlete’s foot and yeast infections. Drinking cinnamon tea is also a useful cure for diarrhea and runny noses.
Turmeric
Photo source: Sanjay ach on Wikimedia Commons
This is considered a wonder spice among the alternative medicine community. When added to food or drink, or even applied to the skin in a mixture, it targets anemia, diabetes, allergies, and skin and cardiovascular disorders. Within the past few years, turmeric’s role in reducing the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s has come under speculation. Research at the National University of Singapore suggests that turmeric strengthens brain function—elderly individuals who ate varying degrees of yellow curry (turmeric gives it the yellow flavor) were tested, and it was found that those who ate curry more often scored better on tests than those who hardly or never ate it. This also might explain why Alzheimer’s is so rare in India, where turmeric is quite popular.
Oregano
Photo source: color line on flickr (cc)
Oregano is not often thought of outside of Italian cuisine, but its medicinal properties are impressive. A tea mixed with the bold herb can cure all kinds of stomach issues, from flatulence and bloating to a dwindling appetite. The miracle tea can even affect throat problems, urinary issues, menstrual cycles, and it can be a substitute for Listerine. Those with cavities can apply the oil of oregano directly to the tooth to decrease pain, and it can alleviate skin disorders like eczema and dandruff.
These herbs and spices are not cure-alls, and medical professionals should be consulted before attempting to use these to alleviate serious diseases. However, for those of us interested in alternative treatments, it might be worth a quick trip to our kitchen to see if the solutions to our problems can be found in our spice rack.
