Benefits of Indian Spices PT 2

 

Indian Spices According to Ayurveda 

The spices of India are vast and used widely. India's Ayurveda medical system has been around for over 5000 years.  The spices not only add flavor, color, and taste to food but also help in many ways when it comes to increasing appetite, and maintaining digestive strength. While each spice works mostly on simulating the digestive system, they do in fact all have unique properties that are used to assist many ailments and diseases. These spices are also beneficial for our health as they are rich in various nutrients, minerals, and particularly antioxidants.

Garam Masala

Garam masala is a blend of spices commonly used in Indian and South Asian cuisines. Different regions use different blends and in Indian households, garam masala is considered a very personal recipe. There is no single recipe for garam masala.  

In Ayurveda, garam literally means “hot”. Garam Masala is considered to have all six tastes of Ayurveda.

It's a mixture of common spices that are used to make garam masala. Usually, the spices used can be a combination of any of these: coriander, cumin, cardamom, mustard seeds, bay leaves, fennel, fenugreek, caraway, black and white peppercorns, cloves, mace, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Traditionally, the seeds and spices are toasted,  then grounded into a powder, and then mixed together. 

 

Garam masala is said to “heat the body”, meaning it raises body temperature. It is used to balance metabolism according to ancient Ayurvedic texts, garam masala was born because it provides the right balance of warmth and heat in our bodies. Without it, our bodies become sluggish and accumulate toxins. Other health benefits garam masala is believed to give us include boosting immunity, promoting weight loss, helping with digestive processes, alleviating pain, and lowering blood sugar levels. 

The Benefits of Garam Masala

• Helps With Digestion
• .Provides Strong Antioxidants
• Regulates Blood Pressure & Improves Heart Health
• Reduces Inflammation
• Lowers Cancer Risk
• Fights Oral Bacteria
• Enhances Nutrient Absorption
• Defends Against Diabetes
• Protects Your Nerve System

Properties of Garam Masala

DOSHAS: Tridoshic (even balance)

Superpower: Metabolism Booster

Tastes: Pungent

Energy: Stimulates energy

Asafoetida (Hing)

In Ayurveda, hing is used to aid digestion, cure colic, and stagnation in the Gastrointestinal tract. Hing burns ama (toxins).  As a major digestive formula in Ayurveda, it is used to promote a healthy gut. In western herbalism, Hing reduces the growth of flora in the gut, especially candida. As a result this reduces and alleviates gas. Due to its anti-viral properties, Hing is also used to kill worms in the body. It is commonly known to help reduce flu systems.

The Benefits of Hing

• Hing is a powerful antispasmodic
• The hot and stimulating qualities of hing clear stagnation in the circulation 
• Stimulates and prevents pain menstruation
• Reduces Inflammation
• Hing treats low libido, impotence, and encourages ovulation and fertility 
• Hing is abortifacient and should not be used in pregnancy.

Properties of Hing

GUNAS (NATURE): Rajasic (passion, activity, movement)

DOSHAS: Vata & Kapha balancing/aggravates Pitta

Superpower:  Toxin Remover

Tastes: Bitter/Pungent

Element: Fire

Energy: Stimulates Energy

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is often overlooked but creates a strong grounding effect in the body.1 This allows fenugreek to have a multitude of uses, both internally and externally! Having some seeds on hand can prove to be extremely valuable.

Fenugreek seeds have a warming nature and bitter taste, this seed is an excellent appetite builder and digestive aid. It powerfully moves energy downward, aiding in relieving gas or discomfort. Because it strengthens the central digestive fire, the seeds keep the plasma and blood healthy. Further, because of its fiber content, if the seeds are chewed and eaten after you finish your tea, the fenugreek can keep the body from unnecessarily digesting and absorbing excessive amounts of cholesterol.

The Benefits of Fenugreek

• Promotes and builds healthy milk flow in nursing mothers
• Contains high amounts of phytoestrogens
• Eases and comforts menstrual pain
• Promotes healthy bowel movements
• Encourages a healthy libido
• It is useful in dysmenorrhea and menopause
• Targets and warms the kidneys
• Reduces the secretion of gastric acid
• Phlegm tonic
• Used worldwide as a galactagogue and postpartum tonic

Properties of Fenugreek

GUNAS (NATURE): Rajasic (passion, activity, movement) & Sattvic (goodness, calmness, harmony)

DOSHAS: Vata & Kapha balancing/aggravates Pitta

Superpower:  Toxin Remover

Tastes: Bitter/Pungent

Element: Fire

Energy: Stimulates Energy

Curry Leaf

 

Another widely used and growing everywhere in India is the curry leaves. These pungent leaves make any Indian dish taste better. They are the key to flavor. In Ayurvedic medicine, curry leaves have several medicinal properties. They are considered to have anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, and hepatoprotective (capability to protect the liver from damage) properties.

Derived from the Tamil word “Kari” meaning spicy, curry leaves are mentioned in ancient Tamil scriptures dating back to the 4th century AD for their amazing benefits and culinary significance.

The leaves are similar to bay leaves but slightly smaller in size are also termed Indian bay leaves. The aromatic scent of these leaves is due to the high content of essential volatile oils that get extracted through the steam distillation method and this essential oil is used in healing skin disorders.

The leaves are used in many holistic treatments like Ayurveda, and traditional Chinese treatments for their medicinal properties in treating diabetes, diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. The extract from the curry leaves has an active constituent that is anti-diabetic in nature and hence is widely used for the treatment of diabetes. The paste from the dried grounded leaves also has anti-helminthic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties, which are potent against various infections and skin disorders.

The Benefits of Curry Leaves

• Cures diarrhea
• Gastrointestinal protection
• Anti-diabetic properties
• Encourages a healthy libido
• Lowers cholesterol 
• Promotes strong hair
• Good for eyesight
• Protects the liver
• Skin healing properties

Properties of Curry Leaves

GUNAS (NATURE): Prana (energy around the body)

DOSHAS: Vata & Kapha balancing/aggravates Pitta

Superpower:  Toxin Remover

Tastes: Bitter/Pungent

Element: Fire

Energy: Stimulates Energy 

Star Anise

Star Anise is a warming aromatic herb that moves blood, reducing cold-stagnation in Chinese medicine. It's known to have powerful antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties and is also one of the five spices in the traditional Chinese five-spice mixture. It's been used in both Ayurveda & Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Shikimic acid which is the active ingredient in flu medications such as Tamiflu, is extracted from star anise making it a great spice to use during cold and flu season.

The Benefits of Star Anise 

• Antispasmodic properties
• Promotes reproductive health
• Increases breast milk
• Helps ease symptoms of menopause
• Used in toothpaste, mouthwashes, and skin products.

Properties of Star Anise

DOSHAS: Vata & Kapha balancing/aggravates Pitta

Superpower:  Toxin Remover

Tastes: Pungent

Element: Fire

Energy: Stimulates Energy 

Mango Powder

In India mango is considered to be the 'Fruit of the Gods,  When mango season hits, the fruit is bought in bulk because the king of fruits, Mango is beneficial in every way. Amchur (mango powder) is made with raw mango and is widely used in dishes to add a tangy flavor however, it is also rich in vital nutrients, the powder is full of health benefits and cooling properties, making it a perfect summer addition. 

The Benefits of Mango Powder

• Rich in vitamin A, C, and D, E, vitamin B-6 and beta-carotene
• Eliminates toxins and detoxifies the body and is also helpful in treating deficiencies like diarrhea and dysentery 
• Boosts Digestion 
• Effective against scurvy
• Improves vision
• Prevents cancer 
• Controls blood pressure & diabetes 
• Helps with allergies and deficiencies
• Prevents heart failure and other cardiovascular disorders 
• Effective in weight loss

Properties of Mango Powder

GUNAS (NATURE): Rajasic (passion, activity, movement) & Sattvic (goodness, calmness, harmony)

DOSHAS: Vata balancing/aggravates Pitta & Kapha

Superpower: Red Blood Nourisher

Tastes: Pungent & Sour

Element: Earth & Water