http://www.care2.com/greenliving/4-spices-for-brilliance.html
4 Spices for Brilliance
Turmeric. So, will a little Indian curry help your brain? The chemical curcumin that makes turmeric yellow appears to activate a key antioxidizing enzyme that reduces plaque buildup. It also is an anti-inflammatory that fights some cancers and multiple sclerosis.
Saffron fights depression in humans, as well as improving learning and memory in animals. Saffron twice daily was as effective as Prozac in treating mild to moderate depression, according to a 2005 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
Sage, the aptly names herb, is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Chinese sage root contains compounds similar to Alzheimer’s disease drugs, and just 50 microliters (.001690 fl oz) of sage oil extract significantly enhanced memory, according to research in Pharmacological Biochemical Behavior. SAge is a great addition to salads, in soups, even on pizza. It tastes and smells better fresh.
Cinnamon. A whiff of cinnamon boosts your brain. Even cinnamon-flavored gum enhances memory, visual-motor speed, recognition, attention, and focus. Cinnamon is a wonder spice: it helps to regulate sugar levels; reduces proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells; reduces clotting of blood platelets; acts as a antimicrobial, which means it helps with yeast infections; contains the trace mineral manganese and is a very good source of dietary fiber, iron, and calcium. Try some apples and cinnamon for a snack–especially for your kids before homework.
Excerpted from A Better Brain at Any Age (Conari Press, 2009) by Sandra Kornblatt.
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9 comments
add your comment »Cinnamon, liberally sprinkled over fruit on whole wheat bread with peanut or almond butter, yum!
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Since we eat a lot of Indian food these spices are the norm and one also sees less type 2 diabetes and less Alzheimer’s disease in India. And our son who has been a type 1 diabetic knows that one half teaspoon in his organic homemade plain yogurt helps control blood sugars. One can learn a great deal from other cultures.
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Since we eat a lot of Indian food these spices are the norm and one also sees less type 2 diabetes and less Alzheimer’s disease in India. And our son who has been a type 1 diabetic knows that one half teaspoon in his organic homemade plain yogurt helps control blood sugars. One can learn a great deal from other cultures.
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Nice information. this is going to make my lunch even better. curried potato spread on a spinach quiche with extra black pepper of course. now I must add Sage. Tea? would that work? I already like a Cinnamon tea.
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Great article and indeed very timely. I need to come up with a smoothie recipe to incorporate all four spices at once and drink it once a day, because it's nearly impossible to use all the variety of spices (one spice for the heart, one for the brain, another one against cancer) regularly. I mean, how much turmeric can you really stomach?
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Good article on these four spices. Sometime ago, I read one of Dr. Mercola's newsletters and found out that many so-called Indian spices are extemely beneficial. Tumeric, Cinnamon,and Saffron are only three of them. I had not heard about Sage before and will definitely begin to include it in my diet.
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Thank you!
My son read about turmeric some time ago and always makes sure I use it... lots. His research said that when eating turmeric, one should be combining it with black pepper to boost or help assimilate or absorb the effects of the turmeric. I personally did not research that, I simply am going by my son's discovery.
Cinnamon is something I try to use often of as well as I had long ago discovered it's benefits with regards to diabetes.
As Brianna pointed out, saffron is expensive!
Sage is something new for me. I'll have to start incorporating it into our diet.
So, not only did I learn something new and valuable, but I have been reminded to boost my turmeric and cinnamon usage!
Again, thanks for another great article Melissa!
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Saffron. I like saffron. It's expensive though. Cinnamon is good. Turmeric is mixed with Saffron for a less expensive blend... Sage is a fine herb too. The one thing these do have in common is use in medieval times...
They may have known more than we realize.
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I really enjoy reading your blog. Keep up the good work.
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