19,351,769 members doing good!



Select names from your address book   |   Help
   

We hate spam. We do not sell or share the email addresses you provide.

10 Spices That Heal: Cancer, Diabetes, and More

  • 1 of 3
10 Spices That Heal: Cancer, Diabetes, and More

By Vicky Uhland, Natural Solutions

There’s good reason to season: Doctors and dietitians agree that your spice rack can be just as essential as your medicine cabinet when it comes to preventing and treating disease. Research consistently shows that many spices and herbs have medicinal qualities and can help prevent everything from cancer to the common cold. We asked two experts–Glen Aukerman, MD, medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Ohio State University Medical Center, and Ruth Knill, PhD, LAc, a Chinese herbalist–about the spices and herbs that best improve overall health. Here are their picks, plus easy ways to work them into your diet.

Cumin: Prevents Cancer
HOW IT WORKS: It’s no surprise to many spice researchers that cancer rates are lower in India, where cumin is a diet staple. Studies show that the curcumin in this spice inhibits the enzymes that help cancer cells invade healthy tissue and also keeps tumors from developing the new blood vessels that help them grow. TRY TO GET: 6 teaspoons of seeds or 1/2 teaspoon of powder a day. USE IT: Toss a bowl of root veggies, such as sweet potatoes, parsnips, cauliflower, and turnips, with olive oil and 1 teaspoon cumin powder. Bake at 300 degrees for 25 minutes or until tender, and add salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro to taste before serving.

Ginger: Calms Nausea
HOW IT WORKS: Chinese medical texts dating back to the fourth century BC tout ginger’s antinausea properties, and modern clinical studies offer scientific proof that it works–a substance in ginger shuts down a nerve receptor in the body that triggers the vomiting reflex. TRY TO GET: Juice from 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger or 1/2 teaspoon dried ginger four times a day. USE IT: Add 1/2 teaspoon grated ginger and a few drops of toasted sesame oil to your usual tuna salad recipe for an Asian-style flavor.

Basil: Combats Colds
HOW IT WORKS: Basil is rich in antioxidants, which help boost immunity. It’s also an antimicrobial, which fights the germs that can cause colds. TRY TO GET: 1 to 2 tablespoons a day. USE IT: Toss 1 tablespoon chopped basil into a shrimp stir-fry during the last 3 to 5 minutes of cooking. Or slice strawberries, toss with honey, and set aside for 15 minutes until juicy. Then top with a few tablespoons of finely chopped basil.

Next: Diabetes, Memory, Cholersterol and Blood Pressure

  • 1 of 3

Read more: Arthritis, Cancer, Cholesterol, Cold and Flu, Diabetes, Diet & Nutrition, Eating for Health, Food, Health, ,

Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine

Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health, Balanced Living offers its readers the latest news on health conditions, herbs and supplements, natural beauty products, healing foods and conscious living.

57 comments

+ add your own
1:13AM PDT on Oct 6, 2011

Excellent article. Thanks for the post.

2:08AM PDT on Aug 18, 2011

I am very happy to read your articles it’s very useful for me,
and I am completely satisfied with your website.
All comments and articles are very useful and very good.
Your blog is very attention-grabbing. I am loving all of the in
turn you are sharing with each one!…
Spices

2:54PM PDT on Aug 9, 2011

thanks.

7:15PM PDT on Sep 2, 2010

It will be no hardship at all to increase these yummy spices into my diet!

12:58PM PDT on Aug 30, 2010

Some good info, and some different ideas - thank you.

5:22PM PDT on Aug 29, 2010

i knew about cinnamon for diabetes and other things

12:17PM PDT on Aug 27, 2010

thank you some great tips for both healthy and tasty eating

9:56AM PDT on Aug 27, 2010

Thank You for tha article! Have noticed years ago: ginger makes makes me feel: Better!

8:40AM PDT on Aug 27, 2010

Interesting information. Thanks.

11:23PM PDT on Aug 26, 2010

Great recommendations! Thanks.

add your comment

20
20 log in or sign up to start earning Butterfly Credits today!


Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

people are talking

so if someone is being attacked by a feral dog, fight it with love?

colleen p. colleen p.
on Why Dogs Bite
12 minutes ago

I'll pass on the coffee and donkey cheese

I shall follow the progress of this technology...!

Thanks for the article.

I agree that sage is probably a good thing.

customize your newsletter

This newsletter will be sent daily and will feature updates on all the causes you care about. Which causes would you like to include?

Copyright © 2012 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved