In the 16th century, spices were responsible for driving Europeans beyond the boundaries of their known world in search of the spice islands. Today, we take them rather for granted or overlook spice’s value.
Several days ago, for our 39th anniversary, we went to celebrate at a tiny Indian restaurant known for its traditionally prepared dishes. It was snowing heavily, but stepping inside the door, we were surrounded by multiple heavenly aromas and warmth. Here there were no ‘flavor packets’ added to the fare– just the wonderfully rich and varied Indian spices.
Alas, I did not have my camera, but it looked very much like this, and it was delicious! What an intimate way to share the different taste sensations set before us!
There is growing conjecture that we might be able to prevent many diseases altogether with common sense use of certain spices.
— Four Cognitive Spices —
And all four of these spices exhibit powerful brain-boosting benefits in numerous ways.
Turmeric:
The active ingredient in Turmeric is curcumin; it is a deep yellow/orange color. Recent research has revealed that curcumin is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease:
- May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by removing amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. I have used it for over 5 years as a preventative measure.
- Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric spice on pancreatic cancer.
- Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.
- May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.
- It is a natural antiseptic and anti-bacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.
- Is a natural liver detoxifier.
- Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.
- May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.
- It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.
- Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.
- Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.
- May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.
- Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.
- Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.
- Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric spice on multiple myeloma.
- Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.
- Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.
- May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.
- Help for cystic fibrosis sufferers.
- Showed immense therapeutic potential against H. pylori, herpes simplex, hepatitis B, salmonella, and Candida infections.
For use in cooking, choose a pure Turmeric powder, rather than a curry powder. At least one study has found that curry powders tend to contain very little curcumin, compared to turmeric powder.
Turmeric (Curcumin) is not easily absorbed, but Piperine [a compound found in black pepper] when taken with Curcumin helps improve its absorption tremendously. Add a dash of freshly ground black pepper to your cooking, and that works the same.
How to Use Turmeric:
1. Add this spice to anything, except for sweets.
2. Drink it as a tea.
3. Use a turmeric supplement if you can’t cook with it. Make your own capsules with a capsule making machine (this is the one I use). Turmeric can be used to benefit anyone: men, women, children and animals. Indian women consume turmeric (with black pepper) in their food while pregnant and nursing and have for centuries.
Here I’m making both ginger and turmeric capsules with the Capsule Machine:
Find out the details of How To Make {& Use} Highly Bio-available Turmeric Golden Paste
Spice it Up with Cinnamon:
Cinnamon (powder or sticks), is another of the most powerful spices. It affects several physiologic functions of the body. Cinnamon kills bacteria and yeasts that cause stomach ulcers and urinary-tract infections and helps the body regulate blood sugar.
But my favorite benefit is increased brainpower. A few years ago, it was discovered that just the smell of cinnamon could improve cognitive function. In that study, either tasting (technically it was chewing) or smelling cinnamon worked to improve brain power.
Spice it Up with Ginger:
Another of my favorite spices that should be on everyone’s mind is Ginger. It was reported several years ago that ginger might indirectly lower the risk of Alzheimer’s through its anti-inflammatory properties. As it turns out, ginger decreases prostaglandins. These are the body’s chemicals that lead to inflammation and perhaps other chronic diseases. So ginger may ease minor aches and pains in much the same way as aspirin without the side effects such as upset stomach while simultaneously helping maintain brainpower.
And Rosemary:
Technically an herb, my fourth spice for your brain is Rosemary.
This spice has similar structural and chemical properties to ginger. And, historically, this spice is actually known as the spice of remembrance. Rosemary is quite complex, with more than a dozen antioxidants and a handful of anticholinesterases. These are all chemicals implicated in fighting Alzheimer’s disease. This is one spice/herb that should be in everyone’s backyard or kitchen windowsill.
I went deeper into rosemary for memory here: Rosemary Boosts Memory by 15%, Prevents Brain-Aging Says the Science
“There are many foods we consider so commonplace that we attach almost no importance or value to them. Yet the things we now take most for granted – the pepper on every kitchen table, the vanilla that flavours our ice cream – spices were once responsible for driving Europeans beyond the boundaries of their known world. Back in the 16th century, explorers were undertaking journeys which took them literally off the map, in search of spice islands.” ~Kate Humble
Photo by Calum Lewis on Unsplash
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