Spice up your Health

Chances are you sprinkle cinnamon into your morning oatmeal or add a dash of oregano to pizza without giving the spices much thought. But did you know that most ordinary spices and herbs can actually improve your health in a number of different ways? Well now you have no more excesses, start spicing up your life and enjoy some of the perks that come with that flavor.

Cardamom
This is a fruit of that comes of the Elettaria cardamomum plant which is in the ginger family.
Health benifits>: Eases belching, flatulence and indigestion; treats respiratory conditions like coughing, asthma and loss of voice; aids in the elimination of toxins through your skin.
Daily Dose: Stir a few freshly ground pinches of cardamom pods into a shot of OJ or your morning fruit salad, or mix it with white or brown rice before you boil it.

Cayenne
Comes from the fruit of the Capsicum annuum plant in the Solanaceae family, along with chile pepper- spicy.
Health benefits: Eliminates gas from the stomach and intestines; soothes sore throat, cold and flu symptoms; increases metabolism for weight control.
Daily Dose: Stir into a cup of hot chocolate or any sweet juice drink for a contrasting flavor kick. Or cook up something spicy :-D

Cinnamon
Comes from the bark of a small evergreen tree.
Health benifits: Tames nausea and stomach ulcers; functions as a mild anti-inflammatory; increases insulin sensitivity to help focus fat burn.
Daily Dose: Stir into coffee/tea, yogurt, oatmeal or any boxed cereal. Or my personal favorite-- Rice Pudding :-D

Cloves
Is a flower bud found at the base of an evergreen tree.
Health Benefits: Soothes digestive tract muscles and is a potent antihistamine.
Daily Dose: Mix into your nightly ice cream treat or sneak into mustard spread.

Nutmeg
Fruit of Myristica fragrans,an evergreen tree.
Health Benifits: Improves digestion; eases the symptoms of menstruation; induces calm and sleep.
Daily Dose: Grate a small amount into applesauce or plain yogurt.

Celery Seed
Is the seed of the Apium graveolens plant in the parsley family.
Health Benefits: Flushes the liver of toxins; lowers blood pressure; combats water retention.
Daily Dose: Various salads (tuna, potato and egg, etc.

Coriander
Also known as cilantro; the leaves and seeds of the Coriandrum plant in the aromatic Apiaceae family.
Health Benefits: Acts as a diuretic; eases seasonal allergies.
Daily Dose: Cook into couscous and quinoa, which you can store and eat with leftovers.

Fennel
Seed of the Foeniculum plant in the aromatic Apiaceae family.
Health Benefits: Calms bowel distress; supports milk production in nursing mothers; combats water retention.
Daily Dose: Add to canned minestrones and vegetable soups.

Oregano
Leaf of the Origanum plant in the mint family.
Health Benefits: Loosens mucus; helps treat respiratory illnesses; and calms indigestion.
Daily Dose: Use in any tomato-based foods, like marinara sauces, pizza and soups.

Thyme
Leaf of the Thymus plant in the mint family.
Health Benefits: Relaxes the muscle tissue of the gastrointestinal tract; stimulates immune system.
Daily Dose: Toss into any meat-based dishes.

Turmeric
Root of the Circuma plant in the ginger family.
Health Benefits: Reduces inflammation (joints, airways); detoxifies the liver.
Daily Dose: Mix in with oil-and-vinegar-based salad dressings.