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Message: The Healing Power of Spices  



The Healing Power of Spices
David Winston - American Herbalists Guild

Traditional medicine has recognized the medicinal benefits of spices for thousands of years.
Now: A growing body of scientific evidence supports the use of spices to prevent -- and even help treat -- various diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer's.* New findings...

CAYENNE PEPPER
What it does: Lowers cholesterol... helps prevent atherosclerosis... and reduces allergic responses. An extract from the pepper, called capsaicin, can be used in a topical cream to treat pain from arthritis, shingles, bursitis, low-back ache and neuropathy (nerve pain). Cayenne's benefits can be attributed to the antioxidants, flavonoids and carotenoids it contains, all of which have anti-inflammatory effects and enhance circulation. Capsaicin depletes nerve endings of substance P, a neurotransmitter that facilitates nerve transmission of pain.
Scientific evidence: A four-week study published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that patients with osteoarthritis of the hands who applied capsaicin cream four times a day experienced reduced pain and tenderness.
Typical dose: Cayenne is available as a supplement in capsules and tincture. Take one capsule of cayenne pepper up to three times a day... or add three to eight drops of cayenne tincture to four ounces of water and drink two to four times a day. Apply topical cream containing capsaicin to painful areas, as directed on the label. You also can season your food with powdered cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Possible side effects: Cayenne pepper can cause gastric upset. To avoid pain and burning, do not let topical capsaicin come in contact with your eyes or other mucous membranes. If you take warfarin (Coumadin), do not use cayenne pepper supplements.

CINNAMON
What it does: Helps prevent heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Due to its antioxidant properties, cinnamon helps people with metabolic syndrome (a cluster of factors, including excessive abdominal fat, high blood sugar and elevated blood pressure, which increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes) use the hormone insulin in their bodies more efficiently.
Scientific evidence: A 2003 US Department of Agriculture clinical study found that consuming capsules containing 1g, 3g or 6g of cinnamon daily (about ¼ teaspoon, ¾ teaspoon or 1¼ teaspoons, respectively) for 40 days lowered blood levels of glucose and triglycerides (fats in the blood) by about 25% in adults with type 2 diabetes. It also reduced LDL "bad" cholesterol by up to 27%.
Typical dose: Use one-half to one teaspoon of powdered cinnamon daily on cereal or toast or mix into yogurt... take one capsule twice a day... or add 20 to 40 drops of tincture to one ounce of water and drink three times daily.
For tea, mix one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of powdered cinnamon with eight ounces of boiling water. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes, covered. Drink a four-ounce cup up to three times a day.
Possible side effects: Because cinnamon can affect blood glucose levels, people with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar and ask their doctors if their medication needs to be adjusted.

GINGER
What it does: Reduces the pain and swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis... helps prevent the nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness or pregnancy... enhances digestion and circulation... and eases intestinal gas.
Scientific evidence: Two clinical studies found that ginger relieved pain and/or swelling in 75% of arthritis patients.
Typical dose: Take one to two capsules with meals two to three times daily... or add 10 to 30 drops of the tincture to one ounce of water and drink three to four times daily.
For tea, mix one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of powdered ginger (or use a ginger tea bag) with eight ounces of boiling water. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes, covered. Drink four ounces up to three times daily.
Possible side effects: Ginger can have a blood-thinning effect, so check with your doctor before using it if you take an anticoagulant, such as warfarin (Coumadin). Ginger may cause an upset stomach in people who take larger doses than those described above.

TURMERIC
What it does: Helps prevent atherosclerosis, some types of cancer and Alzheimer's disease... reduces the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis... eliminates indigestion... and eases the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The beneficial effects of turmeric (also found in curry) are due to its anti-inflammatory compounds known as curcuminoids, as well as the essential oils and carotenoids it contains.
Scientific evidence: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 116 people with indigestion took either a 500-mg capsule of curcumin (the substance that gives turmeric its yellow color) or a placebo four times a day. Nearly 90% of those taking curcumin experienced full or partial relief after seven days.
Typical dose: Take 250 mg to 500 mg of curcumin (standardized to 80% to 90% curcumin) three times daily... or add 40 to 60 drops of the tincture to one ounce of water and drink three to four times daily.
For tea, mix one-half teaspoon of powdered turmeric with eight ounces of boiling water. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes, covered. Drink four ounces up to four times a day.
Possible side effects: Turmeric stimulates liver function, so it should be avoided by anyone with gallstones or any other bile-duct obstruction. Preliminary studies show that curcumin may lessen the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin (Rubex) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). If you are undergoing chemotherapy, talk to your doctor before taking curcumin.
* Check with your doctor before using spices for medicinal purposes. They can interact with prescription medication.
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Bottom Line/Health interviewed David Winston, a Washington, New Jersey-based registered herbalist (RH) and professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, the only peer-reviewed organization of herbalists in the US. He is coauthor of Herbal Therapy and Supplements: A Scientific and Traditional Approach (Lippincott).


"* Check with your doctor before using spices for medicinal purposes. They can interact with prescription medication. "

I agree it's important to be careful of drug interactions so please speak to your doctors everyone!

BE WISE WHEN YOU HERBALIZE!

Posted: Sunday September 2, 2007, 3:39 pm
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Rabbit R. (99) 		Sunday September 2, 2007, 5:03 pm

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Past Member (0) 		Sunday September 2, 2007, 9:08 pm
Mmmm.... I love all these spices. Have loved it always, my dad got me used to the spicey food, he is a natural cook and he learned to cook from Georgians; and Georgians, I believe, understand ALL about spices more than anybody in the whole world! . And now I know that it all is good for you, all right!!! Thanks, Rabbit!

Cc Stevenson (4) 		Monday September 3, 2007, 12:35 pm
ok, heres 1, ive got neropathy,dibeaties,placking of my veins,numbness throught my feet. extrem pain 24/7 an other things medically. is there anything that can get me back to normal health again? getting frustrated. CC

Lynn Lawler (1) 		Monday September 3, 2007, 1:02 pm
I have done my own research in incorporating a number of spices, both those listed in the article as well as other common spices. I use about 20 all together in soups and in marinades to make food healthier and tastier. I just wanted to emphasize that those listed as well as the rest that I use are ANTIMICROBIAL! To me, this is very important in this day of tainted foods of unknown (sometimes untraceable origin). Could this be yet another form of terrorism??! I'm not taking any chances! I"herbally disinfect" my foods first. Might be a good idea to take a small bottle of combo herbs/spices into a restaurant and sprinkle it on your salad, meat, etc.(ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg on the sweet stuff) We need to protect ourselves since we can't rely on our government to. I haven't been sick since I started this protocol and it's been 3 years. I keep adding more and I use it for my pets...haven't had to poison them with monthly heartworm or flea meds and had them checked for parasites...NOTHING! This is an inexpensive and relatively safe way to use food as your medicine..as has been practiced for eons and still is other cultures. Bon appetit! Salud!

Rabbit R. (99) 		Monday September 3, 2007, 1:49 pm

"* Check with your doctor before using spices for medicinal purposes. They can interact with prescription medication. "

I agree it's important to be careful of drug interactions so please speak to your doctors everyone!

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