As per Ayurveda, with the right diet, no one needs additional medicine to be healthy. This thought highlights the profound importance of a balanced diet in maintaining health. Food cooked thoughtfully can be a potent remedy for several modern and common illnesses and provide nourishment to the body as well as the soul.
The soul of every dish lies in the spices used for flavouring it. Spices play a huge role in not only adding flavour and depth to dishes but also defining the health properties associated with every meal. Ayurveda has long recognised the goodness of spices more than any other medical system in the world. Ayurvedic spices like turmeric, asafoetida, black pepper and so on have been cherished for their healing properties that can make any meal a treasure pot of healthy gems.
By knowing how to include these Ayurvedic spices in your diet, you can turn even the simplest dishes into enriching delights.
5 Must-Have Ayurvedic Spices In Your Kitchen
1) Turmeric
The profound benefits of turmeric have been used for common illnesses like cough, cold and flu for years. Turmeric is the most widely celebrated Ayurvedic spice that is cherished for its potent health benefits and ease of use. John Hopkins Medicine highlighted various benefits of turmeric associated with Inflammation, Arthritis, Metabolism, Kidney health even Anxiety and a variety of skin issues. The best way to consume turmeric is by adding it to a cup of warm milk, which helps with colds, coughs, flu, wounds, and joint pain.
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2) Fennel
Fennel is often consumed as an after-meal mouth freshener, which aids digestion, alleviates bloating, and leaves a refreshing sensation in the mouth. In addition to this, fennel seeds can also be used in dishes to add a sweet hint and liquorice-like flavour. Each seed of fennel is filled with Essential Oils that aid digestion by boosting enzyme secretion and help relieve constipation and bloating. In the studies conducted by NIH, it was proven that anetholes present in fennel seeds can also help with chronic diseases.
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Also Read: 5 Amazing Health Benefits Of Fennel Seeds
3) Asafoetida
Asafoetida is one of the widely used spices in Indian kitchens which adds a unique pungent flavour that highlights every other flavour in the dish and also acts as a digestive aid. Asafoetida contains several medicinal properties that help with digestion and respiratory issues and add a sensory quality to food. As proven in NIH studies, Asafoetida’s digestive enzyme activity strengthens salivary flow and gastric juice secretion and supports digestion. Adding just a pinch of this spice to dishes will work wonders.
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4) Cinnamon
The sweet aroma of cinnamon is enough to get relief from stress and reminds the soul of the warming winter desserts that comfort it. Extracted from the bark of Cinnamomum trees, this spice has been used in Ayurvedic applications for thousands of years for its potent health benefits. In NIH studies, it was revealed that cinnamon is an excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and cardiovascular-disease-lowering compound. In addition to this, cinnamon is also reported to be effective against neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
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Also Read: Why Should Diabetics Drink More Cinnamon Water
5) Black Pepper
Referred to as Black Gold in many countries, black pepper is a compact powerhouse loaded with several health benefits. More than adding depth to any dish, black pepper works as an energy booster and a remedy to safeguard the body from infections. As revealed in NIH studies, black pepper works as an antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticancer, antibacterial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-convulsant and has neuroprotective effects. It is filled with nutrients like vitamins A, K, E, and B6, along with iron, potassium, thiamin, zinc, copper, calcium and chromium. Consuming black pepper in meals helps build immunity and weight loss.
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With these spices in your meals, you can not only enhance the taste of your meals but also fill every dish with nutritional value. Add these Ayurvedic spices to your diet and savour the many benefits they offer.