If I like SPICE , am I doing something wrong?

I like spices , when I wrote the previous article on my daily use of spices, one of my well wishers commented, "you love spices , it's very bad for the heart." I wondered if that was true . Whenever we speak of spices, the image of rich spicy oily foodstuffs comes in our mind.

Spices are really beneficial when used in the proper way. Excessive use of everything is bad and some stuff is unsuitable for few. 

Let's have a look at the superfood Garlic.

Garlic

Garlic is considered a superfood. But that doesn't mean to take ready made garlic paste ,fry in oil, add spice powders and make a thick curry out of it and then complain of joint pains and stomach disorders.

High sulphur content called allicin,ajoene,allyl methyl trisulfide, diallyl sulfide is found in garlic . Allicin is responsible for it's characteristic odour. The odour appears rapidly when the pods are crushed or during chewing. The intact garlic pod doesn't contain the smell. So it is better to place garlic pods between the teeth, crush lightly and swallow with warm water and later on brush the teeth.

Garlic is an antibacterial agent. It was used before the antibacterial era in the treatment of bronchitis, bronchiectasis and lung abscess. Allicin inhibits the growth of gram positive and gram negative bacteria. So used to suppress intestinal bacterial activity in diarrhea and flatulence.

Garlic juice diluted with water was used as a lotion for cleaning septic wounds. Allicin decreases serum total and LDL cholesterol . Anti thrombotic,Anti cancer, Anti fungal.

Garlic inhibits platelet aggregation. The ajoenes has a platelet anti aggregation effect. Clotting time and fibrinolytic activity are considerably delayed after eating raw garlic.

So like all other foodstuffs there is no need of eating plenty of garlic for the best health care.

Allyl methyl trisulfide may stimulate the activity of glutathione S-transferase, an enzyme known to assist in the detoxification of carcinogens in the liver and colon.

It can act as a miracle against epidemics.

So if garlic is used in the proper way , there is no harm of taking it. As it is always said that excess of anything harms so garlic should be used according to the need and it should not be used in certain digestive disorders, in sulphur allergy and with certain medicines.

TAMARIND :A SPICE ? OR A FRUIT ?

How many of you remember those lickable moments of eating tamarind and getting scolded for it. Tamarind chutney is inseparable from pakoras , samosas , dahi bhalle , tikkis , papri chats and many more.

Tamarind is really tasty and nutritious. It is the major ingredient of sambhar , rasam and south Indian dishes.

Tamarind connects North India to South India.

T.indica is a cheap and easily available plant. The whole plant has nutritional benefits. The root ,body , fruit , seeds are used as medicine and have industrial use as well. Tamarind fruit is a rich source of essential amino acids except tryptophan. It contains pectin, organic acids , minerals, polyphenols , flavonoids , phytochemicals and vitamins. It contains phenolic compounds like catenins, procyanidin, vitamin B2 , epicatechin, tartaric acid, mucilage, pectin, arabinose,xylose , galactose, glucose,uronic acid, triterpene. The seeds have a good amount of protein so it can be used in consumable form where protein malnutrition is common. It has many health benefits in traditional medicine. It can also be used for treatment of many ailments.

It may be used as a laxative because of its high malic acid , potassium and tartaric acid content.

The dried seeds have antioxidant properties.

For diarrhoea, the leaves are useful. For constipation, the fruit is useful. For abdominal pain , the soft bark is useful.

Tamarind fruit causes smooth muscle relaxation via calcium channel blockage. In this way it helps in diarrhoea.

The seeds extract may be effective against renal cell cancer and acute nephrotoxicity.

It may be able to protect from peptic ulcer.

It has been reported that tamarind is effective in allergic asthma and cough via antihistamine , adaptogenic and mast cell stabilizing effects.

The xyloglucan obtained from tamarind seeds may serve as suitable media for degenerated nerves and may aid nerve regeneration. Xyloglucan is suggested as a natural additive compound in sunscreen because it has immunoprotective and DNA protective effects from ultraviolet damage.

Mixtures obtained from bark and leaves help in wound healing.

The polysaccharide in T.indica seed may be used in eye drops to increase its effective time period because of its mucoadhesive properties. The mixture with hyaluronic acid in xerophthalmia and with timolol decreases intraocular pressure.

Tamarind fruit increases iron bioavailability.

Tamarind is hypolipidemic , anti atherosclerotic , antioxidant, immunomodulatory effect.

Tamarind fruit is antiparasitic , antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antinematodal. Antibacterial properties are due to its lupeol content. The bark extract has shown inhibitory effect on Salmonella typhi.

The leaves, seeds and other parts of the plant have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Polyphenol and flavonoid content of T.indica associated with anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects.

In acute alcohol induced liver toxicity, the leaves showed anti apoptotic and liver protecting effects. It causes membrane stabilisation and decreases glutathione consumption. Additionally, it prevents CASP -3 activation and DNA fragmentation and causes histopathologic amelioration.

Tamarind fruit has a weight control effect.

Tamarind has an anti diabetic effect.

The plant and the fruit are effective in fluoride toxicity.

Children are often scolded for eating too much tamarind. The raw fruit is not easily digested and causes stomach pain. Too much of it can cause dental erosion. It should be boiled in water and then used in the culinary preparation. So it is better to use in moderation like any other foodstuffs. Ibuprofen and acetyl salicylic acid when used with T.indica increase their bioavailability and increase the blood levels of them.

At this time when pollution level is too high and deforestation is a major problem, tamarind trees can be planted for the rescue. It is such a wonderful tree which gives all its part for health care. It's not just a spice, enjoy tamarind fruit , sow the seeds in the garden and enjoy the benefits but consult a health professional for the proper guidance.

Neem

Neem is a symbol of strength. The tall branches, the green leaves, the bright yellow blossom. The whole plant is full of benefits. The benefits are mentioned in Ayurveda.

Till now, many people use neem branches in the morning to brush their teeth. Grains and pulses are stored in the containers with neem leaves. Woollens are stored with neem leaves to protect from silk moths or silverfish. Neem water is used to clean homes , cattle sheds . Neem husk is used as manure. Girls apply neem paste as a face pack. Teenagers take a teaspoon of neem tonic to get rid of pimples and as a blood purifier. It is too bitter but there is no better option than beautiful skin. So neem is a heritage plant taking care of everyone.

Leaves have been found to contain Quercetin, Nimbosterd. Both of these are found in the dried flowers. The trunk bark has been shown to contain Nimbinin , Nimbina , Nimbidin and Margosine. The heartwood contains Nimatone . The neem seeds contain Azadirachtin and Salannin. Neem oil contains fatty acids.

It is effective against many skin conditions like eczema, scabies, seborrhoeic dermatitis, boils , sores , and ulcers.

It is effective against bleeding gums and pyorrhoea.

Neem is Anti fungal.

Neem is Anti malarial.

It is Anti parasitic.

Neem has Anti tuberculosis action.

Nimbin has an anti-allergic reaction.

It fights ulcers.

It is Anti inflammatory. OTC medicine damages the stomach lining but neem reduces the inflammation without damaging the lining.

It fights bacterial infection.

It cures Fever.

It fights Cardiovascular disease.

It is a very effective family planning device.

It controls insects.

It helps fight liver problems.

It cures intestinal worms.

It acts as an appetiser. Reliefs from gastrointestinal problems.

It is an effective antispasmodic agent.

Neem oil is effective against leprosy.

Useful in Diabetes.

Neem is applied on injured joints and Rheumatic joints.

Neem has a good amount of calcium , fibre , and iron. The leaves are too bitter so taking the leaves is a bit tricky. The fresh leaves are available in the spring season. Cook with brinjal to decrease the bitter taste and eat with rice. It will definitely cure skin problems and other health problems.

LONG PEPPER : A part of Indian Garam Masala

We Indians are too spicy. We not only use round black pepper , we use long pepper.

It is cultivated in India to a limited extent. It contains alkaloids having a pungent pepper like taste and produces marked salivation and numbness of the mouth.The pharmacological effects are probably due to the alkaloids. It has volatile and fatty oils, resins , gum , starch and some inorganic matter. It contains an essential oil with a spicy odour resembling that of pepper and ginger oils.

It has therapeutic effects-

It is prescribed for bronchitis , cough , inflammation of the throat , tuberculosis, asthma, epilepsy .

Effective in Ischaemic Heart disease. It is considered in Ayurveda to be a heart stimulant.

Useful in certain types of gastrointestinal tract disorders. Believed to be a good tonic , digestive and antiseptic.

It is prescribed for indigestion (laxative ) and abdominal distension (carminative ).

It is considered to be a value in rheumatism and gout.

Long pepper is also prescribed for early stages of influenza. Believed to be used in the treatment of mumps.

Add flavour to your curries with Indian garam masala.

CARAWAY or SHAH JEERA

It is part of the carrot family and is available as a whole seed.

It is used as a spice for culinary purposes.

Limonene,a monoterpene in caraway, may prevent cancer. Small amount of perillyl alcohol, which may have the potential to prevent breast cancer.

Caraway seeds are a good remedy to cure flatulence. Mix fennel, anise , caraway to boiling water, steep , strain and drink. Or grind caraway seed and coriander with a little water before every meal.

We Indians use caraway in curries. It is used to season and flavour the food to aid digestion and to reduce flatulence and bloating. Caraway seeds can be chewed daily as an aid to digestion.

Caraway tea soothes nervous heart ailments and it is very easy to prepare.

Caraway oil can be used as a lightening tooth powder.

Add caraway to your kitchen and use it to season bread , cabbage dishes , casseroles and curry or chew half teaspoon of it after a heavy meal.

CINNAMON or DALCHINI or DARCHINI

I went to a supermarket a few days ago, I was amazed to see hundreds of packs of cinnamon in the diet section. It is good to be diet conscious and now sneaking into anybody's diet and following it blindly is so common that I am scared of the consequences.

Cinnamon is really good for health but isn't it a spice ? Isn't it used in a particular quantity? Isn't the spices used in more than the prescribed quantity harms the body ?

People should consume it but after asking certified nutritionist or certified dietitian. If you do not want to consult then treat cinnamon like any other spices .

Cinnamon is the inner bark of the young shoots of the cinnamon tree.It contains cinnamic aldehyde , cinnamyl acetate and cinnamyl alcohol, a volatile oil. It also contains coumarin , too much of coumarin is toxic.

It is aromatic, astringent and stimulatory. Used to impart flavor to food.

Cinnamon may help to strengthen the cardiovascular system, shielding the heart from disorders. It has cholesterol lowering effects.

The spice also acts as a blood thinning agent that increases circulation. So it has to be used cautiously with blood thinning medicine.

It also acts as a carminative.

May also reduce discomfort from heartburn.

Cinnamon tea helps prevent motion sickness. Take it in a small thermos flask and sip slowly. Pour boiling water over one small piece of cinnamon bark and steep for 10 minutes and strain.

Have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

May ward off bacteria such as H. pylori which has been linked to ulcers.

May relief from menstrual cramps.

Sniffing of a mixture of cinnamon with other spices is often helpful and is particularly useful in blocked nose.

Due to it's sweet aroma and flavour it can be added to food for diabetics to impart sweetness in milk or desserts. It may help in reducing blood sugar in diabetics. It can mimic the effects of insulin. While a small amount is beneficial ,there will be a sudden drop of blood sugar if taken more than prescribed.

Use cinnamon as a spice , it will benefit but if used as a supplement it can create side effects and harm. It may cause liver damage. May increase the risk of cancer. May cause mouth sores. May interact with certain medication. So if under certain medications ,the dosage has to be checked. It causes low blood pressure. May cause breathing problems if inhaled. It is also not advisable for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in high doses.

Enjoy cinnamon to flavour Indian curries , pulao , biriyani , kahwa but to use as a supplement, please think twice.

Winter is here , come, let's have a cup of "adrak ki chai"

I am proud to be an Indian. We are very social. We like guests. "Atithi devo bhava" is our motto meaning Guests are God. Whenever someone comes to our home , we offer tea and snacks and if it is winter the tea is ginger tea aka adrak ki chai. Fresh ginger tea...

Ginger is a spice. Both fresh and dried are used. But why have we been using it since ancient times? It has been under cultivation in India from times immemorial and has been exported from very early times. India accounts for 50 % of the dry ginger output of the world.

It contains gingerol,shogaol,and zingiberene. The pungency is due to the oleoresin , a phytochemical, gingerol. Gingerol is believed to reduce swelling and tenderness of the joints. Shogaols , a phytochemical, may help fight cancer and heart disease as well as improve pain and reduce swelling of inflamed joints.

Have antioxidant capabilities.

Ginger tea reduces migraine headaches.

May help to prevent heart disease and cancer.

Ginger preserved in syrup is eaten to aid digestion after a heavy meal.

Boiled ginger water may be the remedy for acid reflux.

Season food with ginger to reduce flatulence and bloating.

Relieves motion sickness,nausea,vomiting. In relieving, motion sickness, 940 mg of powdered ginger was superior to 100 mg Dramamine(Antia;Abraham 1997)

Possess anti inflammatory properties.

Phytonutrients in ginger ameliorate the pain and swelling of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by interfering with the synthesis of inflammatory compounds.

Reduces cough and cold. Reduces bronchitis. Lessens asthma attacks. Some find it great relief with a teaspoon of fresh ginger and honey but "it is for some".

Helpful in rheumatism.

Ginger tea can help combat nausea during pregnancy.

Dry ginger sweets or "sonth ladoo" is given to lactating women to ease the postpartum pain .

Ginger drink helps to reduce menstruation pain.

But as I repeatedly write, do not overdo it. Too much ginger irritates the stomach , in severe coughs and colds ,the cough gets trapped inside and becomes dry . Not recommended for patients suffering from piles.

So , welcome to India and enjoy a cup of hot ginger tea with us. As for us "Atithi devo bhava"