Benefits of spices!

[Jessica]

Favorite spices
Here are a few of my favorite spices with their benefits:
My number one favorite spice is:
Cloves can be used to enhance the flavor of many kinds of food, natural anesthetic, may also help relieve vomiting and diarrhea as well as a host of other digestive disorders.

Cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce
Cayenne pepper and Tabasco sauce can increase metabolism and fat-burning ability by up to 25%. (Personal note about Cayenne Pepper: it’s great for keeping ants out of your house. Sprinkle around windows and doorways, safe for kids and animals if they come in contact with it!)

Ginger
Ginger speeds metabolic rate, plus it inhibits nausea and vomiting often caused by morning sickness or motion sickness.

Peppermint
Peppermint is used to treat gastric and digestive disorders, as well as tension and insomnia.

Mustard
Mustard is a stimulant that can be used to relieve respiratory complaints.

Horseradish
Horseradish is a relative of the mustard family that acts as a digestive stimulant.

Cinnamon
Cinnamon is often used as an antidote for diarrhea and stomach upset as well as a metabolism booster.

Allspice
Allspice is an aromatic stimulant that helps to relieve indigestion and gas.

Garlic
Regular consumption of garlic can decrease blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It also aids digestion and prevents flatulence. Recent research shows garlic to be beneficial in the treatment of diabetes.

Turmeric
Turmeric is an antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and therefore protects against cancer.

Rosemary
Stops gene mutations that could lead to cancer and may help prevent damage to the blood vessels that raise heart attack risk.

Paprika
Contains capsaicin, whose anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects may lower the risk of cancer (also found in cayenne and red chili peppers). There's no specific recommended dose, but moderation is probably the best way to go.

Personal note: I use cloves on chicken and pork, it really enhances the natural flavors and added flavors from the spices (as my children use to call it…the magic). My mom and dad were really surprised when I mentioned using cloves on those meats.
Some information found on www.organicfacts.net and www.indepthinfo.com and my own information.

[Anne-Marie McCormack]

Thanks Jessica- I must have missed this one- A lot of good information.

I'd like to add:

Garlic- is the only known substance that kills a virus- it also great for detoxing as it cleans the blood with it's high sulphur content. So, if you add a little to your cooking for ther family - great. It enhanses the flavors of most meats all you need is a clove ot two so, the flavor will be subtle and won't fight with your other herbs.

Parsley- is one of natures body balancers and it aids the body in many ways, it helps the heart stay healthy, it helps prevent tumors from growing, it's good for keeping you healthy..so add it to soups, stews, gravies, salads, or serve it as a a sprig on the plate with not just fish but other meals too. Parsley also acts as a breath freshner !