BLACK PEPPER

BLACK PEPPER-THE HEALTH BENEFITS

    Black pepper is popularly known spice used worldwide. It is generally used as spice due to its pungent taste. Also black pepper is scientifically approved as a herbal drug because of having many health benefits.

     Black pepper consists of the dried ripe fruit of perennial climbing plant known as Piper nigrum that belongs to the family of Piperaceae. 

Black pepper fruits

      The fruit contains an alkaloid piperine of about 5-9%, volatile oil, pungent resin, piperidine and starch. The volatile oil consists of l-phellandrene and caryophyllene.

• The black pepper fruits are aromatic, stimulant, stomachic and carminative. It helps to prevent the uncomfortable feelings during digestive problems.
• It causes feeling warmth. So it can be used as condiment.
• It also stimulate the secretion of various gastric juices and  several gastrointestinal enzymes which helps to promote digestion.
• It also have the anti-biotic property due to its vitamin content. It contains the specific amount of vitamin C which help to prevent the development of free radical compounds.
• It help to reduce cough problem during cold. The active constituents are help to keep away the respiratory disorder.
• Black pepper helps to boost up the metabolism in the body. It cut away extra fat from belly. It is reported to have an notable effect against the obesity. 
• It is also used to improve the oral problems. It produces immediate relief the pain caused by tooth decay or gum-infection. 
• It is also found to reduce the wrinkles due to its high antioxidant content.

CINNAMON

THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF CINNAMON

     Cinnamon is an important spice like cardamom popular in Indian dishes to make it's taste more delightful. It is packed with several nutrients which are helpful in digestion and in the treatment of several health problems. It is popular as aromatic and flavouring agent in the preparation of candy, perfumeries, dentrifice products.

Cinnamon bark

    Cinnamon consists of the dried inner bark of the shoots of coppiced green trees of Cinnamomum zeylanicum  belonging to the family of Lauraceae.
     The active constituent of cinnamon is volatile oil which is present at about 0.5-1.0% in bark. The volatile oil consists of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, benzaldehyde, cuminaldehyde and several terpenes such as phellandrene, pinene, cymene, caryophyllene. Apart from them, cinnamon bark also contains calcium oxalate, starch, mannitol. The sweet taste of cinnamon occurs due it's sweet substance named mannitol.

• Cinnamon bark is used as carminative, stomachic agent and mild astringent effect. It also stimulates many gastric juices to improve the digestion process. 
• Many research has found that cinnamon can help control blood sugar level in type II diabetes.
• Cinnamon also exerts the antiseptic property and can combat the infection caused by yeast, Escherichia coli bacteria. It also protects the body from many other viral, bacterial infections. Cinnamon oil has excellent effect to fight with adenovirus.  
• Cinnamon can minimize the abdominal pain due to irritable bowel syndrom. To get the best result you must have a hot tea mixed with cinnamon powder.
• Cinnamon consists of sufficient amount of eugenol which is enough to stay away the chance cancer in colon.
• The cinnamon bark in pure form is active to neutralize the foul smell and remove all the germs and bacteria.

CARDAMOM

CARDAMOM-THE AMAZING SPICE

     Cardamom is one of the most common spices used in Indian cuisine. It is consists of nutrients which are most important for good health. Cardamom is also used as a good flavouring agent in making of various bakery preparations like cake, biscuit, cookies.

Cardamom fruits and seeds

       Cardamom consists of dried ripe fruit and seeds of Electtaria cardamomum belonging to the family of Zingiberaceae. The seed of the fruit are removed when it is to be used. 

     Cardamom seeds contain of 2-8% of volatile oil. The active constituents of volatile oil is cineole. Other aromatic compounds such as terpinyl acetate, terpineol, borneol, terpinene etc. present in the seed. Cardamom also contains fixed oil, starch and proteins.

• Cardamom is used as an aromatic. It is also used as carminative to improve digestion, and stimulant to the secretion of various gastric juice. 
• It helps to expel out the gas from the stomach. It prevents nausea, vomiting and acidity. It helps to stay away constipation.
• A cup of tea with a pinch of cardamom powder can combat the depression.
• It has the effects to cure the mouth ulcer or any kind of infection in throat.  
• It help to swipe away all toxins and wastage substance and harmful components by the excretion process through the kidney. It has an excellent diuretic property to remove the waste from the kidney, urinary tract and bladder.
• Cardamom is reported to have the antispasmodic effect to prevent the spasm in muscle of stomach and intestine.
• Cardamom consists of several anti oxidants which are essential in removing of all free radical substances; thus help to keep away premature aging of cell.
• At preclinical study, it is found to prevent the growth and development of many cancer leading substances known as carcinogens.

CARAWAY

CARAWAY-THE AMAZING BENEFITS

    Caraway is an important spice in Indian cuisine. Indian curry is incomplete without caraway. Caraway fruits are believed to have a lot of health beneficial nutrients. Caraway fruits are marketed as labeled as 'White Jeera'. Apart from the culinary purposes, this spice is also used as a flavoring agent in biscuits, bread, cake and cheese.

Caraway fruits

      Caraway consists of dried fruit of the plant, Carum carvi and belongs to the family of Umbelliferae.The dry fruit contains about 2.5% to 8% of volatile oil, fixed oil, several proteins and resins. Volatile oil consists of 45-65% of carvone, limonene, dihydrocarvone and also include some traces of carvacrol. There has been seen a lot of health benefits which are described below.

• Caraway fruits are used as an aromatic and found to have the stimulative and carminative properties.
• They are reported to have medicinal values due to the presence of important nutrients, minerals, antioxidants.
• Caraway is rich in dietary fiber which help to speed up the bile movement. So it is capable to prevent the constipation.
• At the mucous membrane of colon caraway fruit fiber is reported to combine the toxins and excreted through the bile to help swipe away all the toxins from the body.
• The fiber is found to be attached with cholesterol producing bile salt to prevent the chance of being absorbed into colon. By this way caraway fiber can control the blood cholesterol level.    

AJWAIN

AJWAIN- THE AMAZING BENEFITS

      Do you have any problem in stomach? just take some dry ajwain fruits after meal. Ajwain is also believed to provide another health beneficial nutrients. Most of Indian people are almost seen to hand out a container of ajwain to stay away upset stomach. They generally consumed raw ajwan fruits.  In some state in India ajwain powder is added to cook parotha for its delicious aroma.

Raw Ajwain fruit benefits

     Ajwain consists of dried ripe fruits of the plant Trychyspermum ammi belonging to the family of Umbelliferae. 

    Ajwain fruits contains 2.0% -4.0%(v/w) of volatile oil. Volatile oil mainly consists of thymol (35-60%), p-cymene (50-55%), terpinene (30-35%), pinene, dipentenes. Apart from this, fruit contains protein, fat, carbohydrate. Some traces of tannin, glycoside, steroidal substabnces has been scientifically reported. The flavour and pungent taste is due to presence of thymol and volatile oil in ajwain fruit.

• Ajwain is an antispasmodic, stimulant, carminative.
• They are also recommended in the treatment of sore throat and bronchitis.
• Ajwain is used as a compound in the preparation of lotions, ointment.
• The volatile oil of ajwain fruit has excellent antiseptic, antifungal, insecticide and anthelmintic property.
• In some cases the oil is also used as deodorant in the formulation of mouthwash to provide refreshment. Some companies use the volatile oil in toothpaste and also in gargle preparation for the same purpose.
• The fruit powder also exerts the effective action in the treatment of acidity. To get the best results take one teaspoon ajwain powder with ginger powder.
• The smoke of ajwan fruits help cure blocked nose.  

FENNEL

FENNEL-THE AMAZING BENEFICIAL EFFECTS

     Fennel is a spice which is extensively used in Italian as well as Indian dishes. Fennel actually provide a sweet aroma which make the attractive taste in curry. But it is scientifically proved to have a several therapeutic value.

Fennel benefits

     Fennel is generally found as 1-2 meter plant known as Foeniculum vulgare which consists of white bulb, deep green leaves and dried ripe fruits and belongs to the Umbelliferae. Usually dried fennel fruits are to be eaten. In Mediterranean civilization fennel bulb is also taken as a vegetable.

• It helps to cure indigestion. After taking meal just eat some fennel fruits thus help to eliminate intestinal gas. The essential oil in fennel acts as stimulant. The active constituents stimulate the gastric juices to improve digestion and prevent the inflammation in stomach.

• The aspartic acid component in fennel is believed to provide antiflatulent effect because of its carminative property. It help minimize the scope of non-ulcer dyspepsia in case of infants.

• Dry fennel fruits are found to have laxative property. It is generally effective in powder form. It normally help to stimulate the bowel movement through the intestine and treat constipation. The fruit extract also promote diarrhoea and relieve the abdominal pain.

• The fruit also has the diuretic property. It helps to keep away all the toxins from body.

•  The aqueous extract is also provide the cooling effect in body.

CORIANDER

CORIANDER-HEALTH BENEFITS

     Coriander is well known spice in various Indian food for its fantastic taste. It is easily available in every Indian home. Actually coriander enhance the taste of curry. Sometimes it is used for bringing the attractive green colour in curry because of it's dark green leaves. Apart from this coriander is used as a component of herbal products. They provide some therapeutic property. 

Coriander benefits

     Coriander is the fully ripe fruits and green leaves of the plant known as Coriandrum sativum belonging to the family of Umbelliferae.

• Coriander is used as aromatic, carminative and stimulant and flavouring agents.
• Coriander oil is prefer alongwith purgatives to prevent gripping.
• It generally cure indigestion and relieve the upset stomach.
• It possesses the wonderful antibacterial effect against Salmonella typhi which is the only reason of typhoid. It is also effective in cholera, dysentery.
• Coriander fruit has the capability to remove the gas in Gastrointestinal tract due to heavy meal. It works wonderfully for them those who get possibility to vomit.
• Coriander is a good source of dietery fibre and magnesium. There is a few iron component found here.
• In case of women it has excellent action during heavy flow in menstrual period. For it just boil a glass of water with sufficient amount of coriander fruits  and take it.
• Coriander leave juice can detox your body thus helps to stay away from kidney stone.
• It is most amazing sound that coriander leaf paste provided the cleansing property on skin.
• The intake aqueous extract of coriander fruit helps control the blood sugar level in case of diabetes patient.
• There is a specific number of vitamins present in coriander. They are vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid which are well known antioxidant help to provide the essentials for health as well as skin.

CLOVE

CLOVE-HEALTH BENEFICIAL SPICE

      Clove is well-known spice used in various Indian dishes. Apart from this the clove is popular for its medicinal values.Generally clove oil produces health remedies because of having health beneficial nutrients. Clove is also used as a flavour in cigarettes preparation.Because it produces sweet aroma due to presence of the essential oil, euginol.

Clove

    Clove consists of dried flower buds of Eugenia caryophyllus belonging to the family of Myrtaceae. It is hugely found at Amboyna and Molucca islands. Now it is cultivated Caribbean islands, Sri Lanka and India.
  Clove is featured by a hypanthium which is surrounded by four thick acute divergent sepels surrounded by dome shaped corolla.
  This spice consists of 15-20% of volatile oil, 10-13% tannin known as gallotannic acid, resin,chromone and eugenin. The volatile oil of clove contains 70-90% of eugenol, euginol acetate, caryophyllenes. The clove oil is colourless to pale-yellow in colour. It becomes thick and darker in colour on storage.

• Clove is use as a dental analgesic, carminative, stimulant, flavouring agent. It's oil is also used as aromatic and antiseptic.
• Eugenol which is an important compound in clove is found to have analgesic and antiseptic property. This chemical compound is a popular component widely used in dental care preparation.
• The active constituents of clove can cure indigestion.It helps to increase the digestion. It also helps to prevent constipation and improve the bowel motility.
• Clove help to relieve the respiratory problem due to cold, flu etc.
• The chemical constituents also has the inflammatory property to cure muscle sore especially in arthritis.

ONION

ONION-THE HEALTH BENEFITS

    Onion can make bring you tear but it is fully packed with nutrients that provide a lot of health benefits. Almost everyone avoid to take it as it has pungent flavour and odour which spread over the body and can be sustained for the whole day. This is simply horrible. But it is crazy to hear the sound about its unbelievable health benefits. But when onion is used in curry it makes a delicious taste to all.
     Onion, Allium cepa belongs to the Lily family. It is generally known as bulb onion. 

Onion benefits

• It helps to provide the antiseptic property, anti-microbial property and anti-biotic property to prevent many infections.
• It is a rich source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, dietery fiber,sulphur, potassium. They also contain a sufficient amount of vitamin K and folic acid.
• Onion produces tear because of having the Alliinase enzyme.
• It has the antihistamine property to cure the allergies. It is also used as a remedy to cure headache. Chew a onion daily can remove pain.
• If you are suffering from bleeding in nose just take a breathe of a piece of onion. It can stop bleeding.
• Onion is consisted of a plenty of quercitin. which is helpful to keep the blood cholesterol level low. It also helps to stay away the stomach cancer.
• It is believed to have anti-inflammatory property to reduce the inflammation caused by bee-bite or any other insect-bite. Just take a piece of onion and rub with it on the affected area. After sometime you will the understand the result.
• Daily intake of onion can stay away you from head, neck and colon cancer.
• It also helps to control the sugar level in diabetes patient.
• Onion is popular known to produce tear. But you will be surprised to know that onion juice is beneficial to make clear vision.
• It is excellent remedy to keep away heat inside your body specially in summer. Onion is found to detoxify the body from a few heavy metals.

    So, take a onion with your daily meal by any way either raw or cooked. The study have shown that the raw onion is more beneficial than be cooked. By the way you take it and improve your health-illness and stay fit.

GINGER

GINGER-THE MOST BENEFICIAL SPICE

    Ginger is a famous spice for its strong spicy aroma. Because of this ginger has created an important place among the Indian cuisine elements. Although it is the most popular spice which is filled with a full of nutrients. It may be used as fresh, dried or in powdered form or juice or oil.No matter is with it in any form. The health beneficial nutrients can be sustained in all form of ginger. Ginger, used in tea is a useful household remedy for throat sore.

Ginger benefits

    Ginger actually consists of rhizomes of Zingiber officinale belonging to the family of Zingiberaceae. They are generally scrapped to remove the outer skin and dried in the sun. it is known as Jamaica ginger in the market.

    Ginger consists of volatile oil (1-4%), starch (40-60%), fat (10%), fibre (5%), moisture (10%). Ginger oil is concluded monoterpene hydrocarbons, sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated mono and sesquiterpenes and phenyl propanoids.

      Aroma and flavour are the main characters of ginger. Aroma is present because of having fragrant principles of volatile oil.The flavour, purgency and pharmacological action is exhibited by phenolic ketones of ginger oleo-resin. Another components of volatile oil like terpenic aldehydes can cause the delicate and lemony aroma. There are a few sesquiterpene oil in ginger found to believed to provide the spicy taste.

     Ginger is generally known to used as a carminative,a stomachic, an aromatic and flavouring agent. So that's why it can be used in mouth washes, ginger beverages and liquors.

     Recent study has reported that ginger powder has effective action in motion sickness . The adsorbent, aromatic and carminative properties of ginger on gastrointestinal tract cause adsorption of toxins and acid enhancing gastric motility. Ginger helps to control the parasitic infestions like schistosomiasis. It can improve digestion by breaking down the proteins in food. It helps to reduce the nausea and vomiting.

     Ginger has the antihistamine property to control allergy. Ginger juice helps to get rid of the infection of sore throat. 1-2 spoonful ginger juice with a spoon of honey is believed to be best herbal remedy to cure sore throat. Those who are prone to have headache due to cold are suggested to take ginger-tea daily that make you relief from headache.

     Ginger has the analgesic and anti-inflammatory property which help to reduce joint pain and muscle pain.

      It has been proved in many studies to have anti-carcinogenic property. The juice helps to prevent the development of growth of carcinogen.  

GARLIC

GARLIC-THE AMAZING SPICE

    Garlic is popular for creating unbelievable taste and flavor in curry. It is regular spice for Indian dishes.Garlic, Allium sativum belongs to the family Liliaceae. It s also used as medicine in all temperate climatic regions of the world. Garlic contains carbohydrates(31%), proteins(6%) and fat(0.2%). It is rich in phosphorous, potassium and calcium. There is an important sulphur based compound, alliin present in cell vacuoles of garlic. When the cell are broken, it is converted to allicin and finally it is turned to diallyl sulphide. Both of them cause strong scent and fiery taste.

 

Garlic benefits

    Garlic has the serum lipid level lowering property, because it causes (a)reduction or inhibition of lipogenesis and (b)enhancing break down and excretion of lipids. It increases high density lipoproteins. Overall garlic is used to reduce serum cholesterol so it can be used in atherosclerosis. Garlic has also been found to reduce platelet aggregation.
   Allicin from garlic exhibits antibiotic prtoperty against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus faecalis. Garlic is very much useful in treatment of amoebic dysentery and parasites like tapeworm and hook worm. 
   Garlic is used as carminative, expectorant, stimulant, disinfectant in the treatment of pulmonary conditions.
  Garlic exerts strong antioxidant effetc, prevents lipid peroxidation and protects liver cells from various toxins including mutagenic chemicals.  
   Daily intake of 1-2 peel of garlic can help you to stay away from cancer. It provides the anti-cancer property because of having allyl sulphides in it. It has been found in recent study that PhIP which is the heterocyclic amine compound is found to increase the scope of breast cancer in woman. The diallyl sulphide helps to decrease the chance of development of PhIP into cancerous cell, highly known as carcinogens.  
   So, try to take garlic paste in daily food and boost your immune power to remove cold sore and also to improve your another health benefits. 

TURMERIC

TURMERIC-SURPRISING BENEFITS

Turmeric

       Turmeric is one of the popular spice which has been used as a medicine in India and China for a long. It is an important ingredient to make curry to give it yellow color and delicious taste.It has an excellent inflammatory property. It is also known as Indian saffron because of having deep orange colored flesh inside it which was used as textile dye. 
      Turmeric is deep-orange in colour with characteristics odour and slightly bitter taste. Round turmeric rhizomes are oblong, while long variety is cylindrical and short branched.  
      Turmeric is consisted of yellowish flesh because of having yellow coloring substances known as curcumin. This substance present in turmeric is about 50-60%. 

1. Turmeric has been proved as anti-inflammatory drug. As per as recent study Anti-arthritic agent has also present in turmeric. 
2. Turmeric is used as a condiment or spice and coloring agent. 
3. It has the healing property of wounds so it can be used in ointment or cream.
4.  It can prevent the development of cervical cancer and prostate cancer. It helps stop to growth of cancerous cell and fight against tumor cell such as T-cell leukemia.
5. It's anti-arthritis agent provide an excellent action on Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. Multiple study has found that turmeric on a regular basis can remove mild joint pain.
6. turmeric has the capacity to make the serum-cholesterol level low which helps to prevent cardiovascular disease.
7.  It is believed to have several anti-viral agents, anti-bacterial agents as well as anti-fungal agents which is helpful to provide an immune system to the human body. Turmeric consists of lipopolysaccharide which is known as immunity boost.
8. It provide excellent wound healing property and also gives the glowing skin.