Spices have caused the greatest wars in history and the enslavement of entire nations. The first thing the British East India Company came for were our spices. They weren’t just taken back for the way they improved the taste of food. Many were taken away for medicinal reasons. Last week I told you some of the home remedies that you could use spices for. Here are some more:
Black Pepper or kali mirch:. 3 pepper corns sucked with pinch of jeera and salt helps provide relief from dry cough. Half teaspoon of ground pepper and one Tbsp of jaggery powder can be taken to cure digestive disorders . Powder black pepper and apply it over pimples to dry them up. An infusion of black pepper (one in 80) forms a useful stimulant gargle for a sore throat and hoarseness and in toothache .
A mixture of a pinch of pepper powder and a quarter teaspoon of common salt is an excellent dentifrice preventing dental caries, foul breath, painful gums and toothaches Ginger or adrak: A tsp of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction acts as an expectorant in cases of asthma. Hot ginger drink is effective for cold and flu. It helps clear a blocked nose and stimulates the liver to remove toxins from the blood . The powdered root relieves morning sickness and is effective for motion sickness. Make a tea by adding 1 teaspoon of powder to a cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink.Try pure ginger juice for stomach upsets nausea, heartburn, abdominal cramps. Ginger juice is made with a teaspoon of freshly squeezed juice of ginger and lime and a teaspoon of honey in hot water. Saute fresh ginger and add a pinch of salt and some lemon to help to digest a heavy, protein-rich meal .
Garlic or lasan: Regular consumption of raw or cooked garlic helps prevent a wide variety of ailments including arteriosclerosis. It also aids in blood purification. Crushed garlic flakes can be rubbed onto acne to cure without leaving scars. Application of garlic juice helps in ripening boils, breaking them and evacuating pus from them. It is also used for treating cramps and muscular spasms. Raw garlic helps to reduce nasal congestion and relieve other symptoms of cold.
Turmeric or haldi: A paste made in a 1:1 ratio of turmeric and ginger powder can be applied externally on boils. Turmeric helps lower cholesterol . Fresh or dry turmeric is used for saline gargles to relieve and prevent sore throats. When applied to skin and exposed to sunlight, turmeric is strongly antibacterial. It improves the action of the liver and is a traditional remedy for jaundice. Tthe powdered is commonly administered as an agent to rid the body of parasitic worms.In case of chickenpox, turmeric is applied as a powder or as a paste to facilitate scabbing.
Cumin seeds or jeera: Paste made by grinding cumin seeds in water can be applied on acne and boils . It helps to cure flatulence and colic pain. Cumin is given to women after childbirth to increase breast milk. In 1 litre water add 1-teaspoon cumin seeds and boil it. Drink it over the day. Externally it can be used as a liniment for stimulating circulation and bringing warmth to the area Cinnamon or dalchini: Paste made by mixing 1tsp of finely ground cinnamon powder with 1tsp of lemon juice can be applied for treatment of acne and blackheads. Boiling the seeds, filter and used as a mouthwash. For people with type-2 diabetes, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon a day, added to food or drink, can lower blood glucose levels . For colds or diarrhea, make a tea by adding 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 15 minutes, strain out the cinnamon and drink.
Fenugreek seeds or sabut methi: reduces high serum cholesterol. This seeds relieves constipation . It can be prescribed to nursing mothers to increase their milk production. For Dandruff : Fenugreek seeds made into a paste could be applied over the scalp. Leave it for an hour, then wash and dry..
Fenugreek seed flour is used as a poultice to inflamed parts
Nutmeg or Jaiphal : Helps in digestion and relieves nausea, vomiting, flatulence and diarrhoea. The nutmeg should be powdered and mixed with honey and and 1 teaspoon twice or thrice a day taken for diarrhoea.
Cayenne Pepper :Got a toothache? Make a paste with a few drops of water and a spoonful of cayenne, dip a cotton swab into the paste, and dab on the tooth.
Black Pepper or kali mirch:. 3 pepper corns sucked with pinch of jeera and salt helps provide relief from dry cough. Half teaspoon of ground pepper and one Tbsp of jaggery powder can be taken to cure digestive disorders . Powder black pepper and apply it over pimples to dry them up. An infusion of black pepper (one in 80) forms a useful stimulant gargle for a sore throat and hoarseness and in toothache .
A mixture of a pinch of pepper powder and a quarter teaspoon of common salt is an excellent dentifrice preventing dental caries, foul breath, painful gums and toothaches Ginger or adrak: A tsp of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction acts as an expectorant in cases of asthma. Hot ginger drink is effective for cold and flu. It helps clear a blocked nose and stimulates the liver to remove toxins from the blood . The powdered root relieves morning sickness and is effective for motion sickness. Make a tea by adding 1 teaspoon of powder to a cup of boiling water. Steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink.Try pure ginger juice for stomach upsets nausea, heartburn, abdominal cramps. Ginger juice is made with a teaspoon of freshly squeezed juice of ginger and lime and a teaspoon of honey in hot water. Saute fresh ginger and add a pinch of salt and some lemon to help to digest a heavy, protein-rich meal .
Garlic or lasan: Regular consumption of raw or cooked garlic helps prevent a wide variety of ailments including arteriosclerosis. It also aids in blood purification. Crushed garlic flakes can be rubbed onto acne to cure without leaving scars. Application of garlic juice helps in ripening boils, breaking them and evacuating pus from them. It is also used for treating cramps and muscular spasms. Raw garlic helps to reduce nasal congestion and relieve other symptoms of cold.
Turmeric or haldi: A paste made in a 1:1 ratio of turmeric and ginger powder can be applied externally on boils. Turmeric helps lower cholesterol . Fresh or dry turmeric is used for saline gargles to relieve and prevent sore throats. When applied to skin and exposed to sunlight, turmeric is strongly antibacterial. It improves the action of the liver and is a traditional remedy for jaundice. Tthe powdered is commonly administered as an agent to rid the body of parasitic worms.In case of chickenpox, turmeric is applied as a powder or as a paste to facilitate scabbing.
Cumin seeds or jeera: Paste made by grinding cumin seeds in water can be applied on acne and boils . It helps to cure flatulence and colic pain. Cumin is given to women after childbirth to increase breast milk. In 1 litre water add 1-teaspoon cumin seeds and boil it. Drink it over the day. Externally it can be used as a liniment for stimulating circulation and bringing warmth to the area Cinnamon or dalchini: Paste made by mixing 1tsp of finely ground cinnamon powder with 1tsp of lemon juice can be applied for treatment of acne and blackheads. Boiling the seeds, filter and used as a mouthwash. For people with type-2 diabetes, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon a day, added to food or drink, can lower blood glucose levels . For colds or diarrhea, make a tea by adding 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep for 15 minutes, strain out the cinnamon and drink.
Fenugreek seeds or sabut methi: reduces high serum cholesterol. This seeds relieves constipation . It can be prescribed to nursing mothers to increase their milk production. For Dandruff : Fenugreek seeds made into a paste could be applied over the scalp. Leave it for an hour, then wash and dry..
Fenugreek seed flour is used as a poultice to inflamed parts
Nutmeg or Jaiphal : Helps in digestion and relieves nausea, vomiting, flatulence and diarrhoea. The nutmeg should be powdered and mixed with honey and and 1 teaspoon twice or thrice a day taken for diarrhoea.
Cayenne Pepper :Got a toothache? Make a paste with a few drops of water and a spoonful of cayenne, dip a cotton swab into the paste, and dab on the tooth.
Maneka Gandhi
