READY TO GO GLOBAL CUISINE AND EATERY

This page is intended to spark curiosity towards the medicinal properties we can derive from our spices. Most of the materials come from Dr. Deepak Chopra's book on ayurveda and spices, and from Selene Yeager and the Editors of Prevention Health Books ("New Foods For Healing"). If you know of any good books on this topic, please let us know. We would love to read and know more about the spices and herbs that we use.

GINGER

Known in Ayurveda as the universal remedy, ginger is well known for its effects on the digestive system and anti-nausea properties. It also has potentially beneficial effects on circulation. Animal studies suggest that ginger may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the stickiness of platelets. (which causes clotting of blood). The gingerol in ginger has a chemical structure somewhat similar to that of aspirin which many people routinely take to help keep their blood clear of clots that could lead to strokes and heart attacks. In another research study at Odense University in Denmark, it was found that ginger may short-circuit impending migraines without the bothersome side effects of some migraine relieving drugs. It appears that ginger blocks the action of prostaglandins, substances that cause pain and inflammation in blood vessels in the brain. These Danish researchers suggest taking 1/3 teaspoon of fresh or powdered ginger on feeling a headache coming on. In another Danish study, researchers studied 56 people who had rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis treated themselves with fresh or powdered ginger. They found that ginger produced relief in 55% of the people with osteoarthritis and 74% of those with rheumatoid arthritis. Some experts speculate that ginger may ease arthritis pain the same way it helps block migraines, by blocking the formation of inflammation-causing prostaglandins that cause pain and swelling.

GARLIC

Garlic's healing potential has been recognized for thousands of years.

Heart:
Garlic contains sulfur compounds, including diallyldisulfide (DADS) which seem to help smooth blood flow by preventing platelets from sticking together and clotting. In a Brown University study, researchers gave 45 men with high cholesterol aged garlic extract (the equivalent of about 5-6 cloves of fresh garlic). When they examined the men's blood, they saw that the rate at which platelets clumped and stuck together had dropped anywhere from 10 - 58%.

Said researcher Robert I. Lin PhD of Nutritional International in Irvine, California, sulfur compounds are very potent. They thin the blood. Garlic is also good for the heart because it lowers the cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides in the bloodstream. According to Yu-Yan Yeh, Ph.D., professor of nutrition science at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, many of garlic protective effects take place in the liver, where cholesterol is produced. In lab. studies, rats given garlic extract produced 87% less cholesterol and 64% fewer triglycerides. In a review of 16 studies involving 952 people, British researchers found that eating garlic, whether fresh or in powdered form - lowered total cholesterol an average of 12 to 13%.

Cancer protection:
A compound in garlic called s-allycysteine appears to stop the metabolic action that causes a healthy cell to become cancerous, says John Milner, Ph.D., professor and head of the department of nutrition at the Pennsylvania State University.The substance called DADS (see above) chokes cancer cells until their numbers are reduced and they start dying. Another substance in garlic is diallyl trisulfide (DATS), which is 10 times more powerful than DADS at killing human lung cancer cells.**Its effectiveness is comparable to that of 5 flluorouracil, a widely used chemotherapy agent** says Dr. Milner. Garlic contains compounds that help prevent nitrites - common substances found in some foods as well as a variety of everyday pollutants - from transforming themselves into nitrosamines, harmful compounds that can trigger cancerous changes in the body. The findings of many studies support garlic as a cancer lowering food ingredient. Among many, in a study of 41,937 women in Iowa, those who ate garlic at least once a week had a 35% lower risk of colon cancer than those who never ate garlic.

Antibiotic properties:
In one study, researchers at Boston City Hospital swabbed 14 different strains of bacteria from noses and throats of children with ear infections. Some of the infections had been impervious to treatment with antibiotics. In the laboratory, however, garlic extract effectively killed the resistant germs.

Not only is this beautiful yellow spice culinarily pleasing , it is a pharmacy unto itself. In the many scientific studies that have taken place around Turmeric , it has demonstrated it's health-promoting effects on the cardiovascular , digestive , rheumatic and immune systems , while remaining at high safety without any serious side effects at usual doses.

Turmeric has a very soothing effect on the digestive system ; studies show that it helps to reduce the risk of ulcers due to stress and drugs by increasing the mucous protective lining of the stomach . It can also help to reduce elevated blood cholesterol levels and has a protective effect on the liver. Yet , one of turmerics most common medicinal uses involves its anti-inflammatory powers. One of tumeric's traditional uses has been in the treatment of arthritis, and scientific studies suggested that, alone or in combination with other herbs, it can reduce pain and stiffness. Tumeric has long been used as natural antibiotic agent. Studies from around the world have confirmed that components of this multitalented spice can inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast and viruses.

In Avurvedic medicine, tumeric is an important cleansing and detoxifying agent.

Up to 8% of cardamom seed consists of an essential oil that contains a variety of volatile substances including limonene, cineou, terpineol, and terpenene.

Animal studies from Saudi Arabia have demonstrated that the steam-distilled oil has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. It also reduces muscle spasms, acting on receptors for acetylcholine, the neurochemical that generates muscle contractions. In a study from China, cardamom, along with other herbs was reported to reduce the side effects of different chemotherapy drugs. Cardamom's aromatic essential oil may help reduce nausea.

Cardamom has been used medicinally for many health concerns. The generally soothing effects of the essential oil are applied to conditions affecting both the respiratory and digestive tracts. Cardamom tea or crushed seeds may be given to people with asthma to relieve respiratory spasms. Sinus congestion resulting from a cold may also respond to the aromatic properties of cardamom. Cardamom can safely be given to children for mild stomach aches with a potency similar to chamomile.