Medicinal Properties of Kitchen Spices
Do you know that you may have access to a number of natural healers in your kitchen or back yard? Take a look at the healing properties of these common herbs and spices.
Herbs can be used in a number of ways for healing purposes. They can be prepared as: teas that are taken internally or used externally; poultices; macerated in oils; encapsulated; a bath or soak; and so on, including the obvious- consuming them in your meals and drinks.
The use of herbs are limitless, but here are some uses:
Anise
Breaks up cough and mucus; good for a dry cough where expectoration is difficult.
Treats flatulence and colic
Basil
Indigestion, fever, cold, flu, headache, cramps, nausea, vomiting, constipation. Nervous conditions, diuretic, kidney and bladder problems
Bay
Increases and maintains health and happiness. Prevents gas and indigestion, when used in food. Externally, used in rubs on the chest for bronchitis and cough. Bay oil is also useful when rubbed into arthritic areas. Also helps reduce pain/swelling associated with sprain.
Black Pepper
Good “preventive” medicine for most illness. Pepper mixed in honey is good for cold and sore throat.
Caraway
Aids in digestion, gas, colic and nervous conditions
Cardamom
Treats indigestion and gas when mixed with other herbs. Good for diarrhea, colic and headaches. Warms and stimulates the body. Steep 15 cardamom seeds with freshly grated ginger, 7 peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, five cloves. Steep 10 minutes, then add honey.
Cayenne
In prevention, aids the heart and circulation- preventing heart attack and stroke. Also prevents cold, flu, headaches, indigestion, depression and arthritis. Can be rubbed on toothaches, swellings, inflammations and arthritis pain. Stops bleeding by normalizing circulation. Also good for normalizing blood pressure for this reason. A poultice of cayenne and plantain will draw out foreign objects imbedded in the body.
Cinnamon
Warms the body and organs. Treats chronic diarrhea, cramps, abdominal pain, heart pain, coughing, wheezing, lower back pain and uterine bleeding. Cinnamon simmered in milk, with a little added honey can aid in gas, indigestion, diarrhea and dysentery.
Cloves
Warms the body, increases circulation and improves digestion. Treats vomiting, vomiting and nausea. Oils of clove, or simply chewing cloves, can ease tooth pain.
Coriander
Relives fevers when mixed with a small amount of black pepper.
Cumin
One of the best spices used to treat, and prevent, gas. It is anti-spasmodic. It benefits the heart and uterus, and is often given to women after childbirth to increase breast milk.
Fennel
Anti-spasmodic, diuretic, expectorant. Treats colic, cramps and gas, and expels mucus. Externally, cooled tea can be used as an eye wash. Used in cough and for appetite suppressant. Has an estrogenic effect and is often used in menopausal and premenstrual formulations.
Fenugreek
Expectorant. Used in all mucus and congestion conditions. Useful in ulcers and inflammations of the stomach and intestines. Used in treatment of diabetes and gout. Is aphrodisiac and rejuvenating. Used externally on boils and carbuncles.
Garlic
A “cure all”. Expectorant, anti-spasmodic, anti-biotic, nervine. Treats lung ailments, cholesterol, high and low blood pressure, headaches and nervous conditions. Fights parasites and infections. Onions have similar effects. Don’t boil garlic. For nervous spasms, cramps and seizures crush one glove of garlic in a glass of hot milk. For high blood pressure, ave one clove of garlic each morning. Make oil of garlic by placing 8 oz. of fresh, crushed garlic cloves in a jar and cover with olive oil. Shake daily. Drain after 3 days and store. In colds, flu, fever and infections, take one teaspoon of garlic oil every hour. For earaches, insert a few drops of the oil into the ear with cotton.
Ginger
Greatly benefits the stomach, intestines and circulation. Use freshly grated ginger to make teas. Use for indigestion, cramps, nausea and coughs, colds, flu. Externally, ginger poultice treats pain, inflammation, stiff joints. Ginger oil can be rubbed into painful muscles, dandruff and in earaches- with a cotton swab.
Marjoram
Anti-spasmodic, expectorant. Good for upset stomach, headache, colic and nervous complaints. Good in painful menstrual cramps and nausea. Also good for sea sickness. Used externally for aches and pains and toothaches. In the bath it aids in insomnia. Used in swelling, rheumatism and circulation.
Nutmeg
Treats nervous disorders when a small amount is taken daily, over time. Also helps in heart problems. Can cause miscarriage in large amounts.
Rosemary
Beneficial in headaches, and be a substitute for aspirin. Useful in indigestion, nausea, colic, gas, fever. High in calcium, therefore benefiting the entire nervous system. Good for scalp and hair. Smoked with coltsfoot leaves, it treats asthma and congestion of the lungs and throat.
Sage
Antispasmodic and stops the flow of secretions and fluids. Used in excessive perspiration, night sweats, vaginal discharge, and the flow of milk. diarrhea, dysentery. Useful in early stages of cold, flu, sinus congestion, bladder infection and inflammatory conditions. Rosemary, wood betony and peppermint are good for headache. Sage tea is a good sore throat gargle, and is good for mouth ulcerations.
Thyme
Parasiticide for intestinal worms. Anti-fungal- treats athletes feet and skin parasites, like scabies, crabs and lice (use a tincture for these problems). Anti-spasmodic and expectorant- used in treatment of bronchial problems and laryngitis. Treats diarrhea, chronic gastritis and lack of appetite. Not to be used in large amounts. Anti-septic, making it a useful mouthwash and wash for the skin.
Turmeric
Blood purifier. Heals wounds, relieves pain, and breaks up congestion when used both internally and externally. Used after childbirth, when excessive blood has been lost. Aids in circulation and regulating the menstrual cycle. Aids menstrual cramps. Reduces fever. Aids in nosebleeds.
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