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 brainpower.
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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Thanks for reading!
jem says
December 31, 2012 at 3:41 pmMy friend’s dad went to India, and not he says the whole country smells like the spices, the people, the bedding, everywhere you go….you smell it and taste it. When he came home and opened his suitcase, he smelled it all over again!
That tells me that these people don’t just season with the spices they CONSUME it daily and in large quantities! I’ll have to resort to some capsules for this time.
Candi May says
January 1, 2013 at 10:30 amI am soooo rejoicing and praising the Lord right now!! I began having symptoms of fibromyalgia appx. 6 months ago. Terrible body aches out of nowhere, irritable bowels, etc. I didn’t want to go to the dr. just to have him put me on some life-long maintenance medicine, so I started researching what this mystery might be stemming from. I decided that fibromyalgia is a ‘response’ more than a condition. Bring the body back into a healthier condition and you will drastically reduce such responses.
Without knowing why (wisdom graciously given by the Lord), I began making a smoothie every morning with homemade buttermilk, frozen strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries (antioxidants), and CINNAMON. For 8 weeks, I drank a cup of Echinacea plus tea (from Traditional Medicinals before I read your recommendation for them) with lemon juice and raw honey. I drink green tea twice a day. I eat at least a cup of homemade greek yogurt each day. I dug through my stash of supplements that I would pick up and then forget I had and began taking: cod liver oil, vitamin E, B 12, Evening Primrose oil, a whole food multivitamin, and calcium. I have appx 1 1/2 cups of beans (soaked overnight in whey water, slow cooked all day in bone broth) every day. But the funny thing is that I dug through my spices and picked out what I thought would make the beans taste good. I add generous amounts of TURMERIC, GINGER, CAYENNE, and BLACK PEPPER with a splash of lemon juice and whey – it’s my usual breakfast!
These are things I know that God has led me to do to restore my health because I didn’t have a firm reason for choosing the things I did when I started. AFTER implementing these things and seeing great improvements, I have discovered the actual ‘science’ behind why I rarely have a flare up anymore. 🙂
Jacqueline says
January 1, 2013 at 11:27 amOh, Candi May, this blesses me so much and brings glory to God! That IS how He works…it was the same with me and home-education. I am an RN, not a teacher! All I did (well, not all!) was to ask for wisdom and He graciously supplied me with ideas, people, an article at the right time, a phone call from someone with an idea or thought…and then I could use that input to make a wise decision! In hindsight I am ASTOUNDED by His leading and very obvious at that…just like your using the spices and the very ones that reap the greatest benefits…He is Almighty and Loving and Involved!! Thank you for sharing it :-)) God bless you this New Year!!
Karen says
January 1, 2013 at 1:16 pmI really enjoyed this post. A couple of years ago I had learned about using these herbs and incorporating them into my diet or making capsules (as with the turmeric) but then I drifted away from the practice and had largely forgotten. Thank you for the reminder! My neighbors from India told me that turmeric is also useful in helping broken bones to knit. When a child breaks a bone they mix it into the milk the child drinks until it has healed.
Jacqueline says
January 1, 2013 at 7:48 pmI had not read that yet, Karen, but I am not surprised. Today we went back to the same Indian restaurant and learned more of the spices they use by asking questions. God’s pharmacy is truly amazing…Thanks for this knowledge!
Jessica says
January 1, 2013 at 5:42 pmHappy anniversary! You’ll have to tell us about this Indian restaurant 🙂
Jacqueline says
January 1, 2013 at 7:50 pmAbsolutely!! Happy New Year! Is Little Joe doing better?? We’ve been thinking of you all and missed you Sunday.
Jill's Home Remedies says
January 1, 2013 at 6:36 pmThis is a great list! I need some mental power for sure! 🙂
Jacqueline says
January 1, 2013 at 7:51 pmMe, too, Jill! Join the crowd!! Happy Anniversary, friend!
Kasey says
January 8, 2013 at 10:40 pmWOW! I knew almost none of that! A week or so ago I asked for suggestions on FB for immune boosters. Somebody mentioned cinnamon and I was completely baffled as I’d never heard of it being truly beneficial. And then you mention it here. Good thing we love cinnamon!
Jacqueline says
January 9, 2013 at 1:18 amWars were fought over the spice islands, for they knew the immense value in what grew there. These things helped preserve foods so they didn’t go bad, after all.
Kristin says
February 15, 2013 at 8:58 amQuick question: A little off topic, ha – but do you make your own face wash or soaps with herbs?
Jacqueline says
February 15, 2013 at 11:27 amHi, Kristin,
I have been using only one soap on my face for years. It is a goat soap made by a local friend…her goats and oatmeal, cinnamon, simple and uncomplicated. I use Burt’s Bees Milk and Honey body lotion (on my face) at night.
Mindy says
April 16, 2013 at 11:31 amJacqueline, in reading your “about” page, I believe we are one in heart, and I greatly praise our Lord and Savior for the encouragement and light you are bringing into the world through your experiences, beliefs, and passions. I am very much enjoying reading all your posts. You said that you use a friend’s goat soap. Would this friend be willing to share her recipe for natural, homemade soap, or do they have a website for purchasing? Thank you!
Jacqueline says
April 16, 2013 at 12:18 pmHello, Mindy 🙂
Ooh I love meeting a sister in the Lord!! 🙂 Welcome. My friend is Karen Lossing, and they live in Oregon. I wish they were still making soap, but I will give you a link to their old website and she might still be able to help you. She also delights in the Lord Jesus and is so filled with joy!
I have just sent her a message and will be back to leave a message here when I hear back 🙂 Until then, blessings and a hug! J