Did you realize that your ingredients you mix into common foods you make can actually be medicinal as well? I have always found it intriguing and fun to learn natural ways to help improve our bodies. When you are having some heart burn or you have a stomach ache think about some news ways that might help you out that can be found right in your spice cupboard. Here are some more common spices and ingredients you may use often that can now be added to your list of go to healers.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular spice used in cooking. Turmeric is one of the most potent medicinal plants. Its antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties make it an effective home remedy for a variety of conditions. You can use turmeric to disinfect minor cuts and burns as well as treat the common cold, cough, joint inflammation, arthritis, bruised skin, acne, pimples and various stomach ailments.

Benefits:

1. Natural antiseptic for cuts and burns

2. Helps in weight management

3. Stops the growth of tumor

4. Natural pain killer

2. Ginger

Fresh or ground we love ginger in our home. My husband loves ginger beer! Ginger is considered to be a wonder spice as it used on a regular basis and possesses lot of medicinal properties. Ginger is a digestion friendly spice. Ginger has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties. At the same time, it is a powerful natural painkiller.

Benefits:

1. Reduces sore throat, cold and cough

2. Relieves gastric trouble

3. Helps to overcome nausea

4. Enhances absorption of nutrients and minerals

3. Cinnamon

I love this spice and it seems to be the number one for fall in my book. The smell of cinnamon is exactly what I think of for fall. Cinnamon has antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, carminative and antiflatulent properties. This spice is also an excellent source of minerals, such as potassium, calcium, iron, zinc and copper, along with vitamin A.

Benefits:

1. Controls blood sugar levels

2. Reduces digestive problems

3. Improves brain function

4. Slows spoiling of food

4. Garlic

Garlic is often referred to as a superfood due to its stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic properties. In addition, garlic is packed with vitamins and nutrients, such as protein, potassium, calcium, zinc and many others.

Benefits:

1. Treats coughs

2. Help you with bug bites

3. Sinus problems

4. Indigestion and stomach aches

5. Lemon

Not only are lemons used to make delicious lemonade or to add zest to a dish but they have great medicinal benefits as well. Lemon is known for its antioxidant properties along with immune-boosting powers. It also has many nourishing nutrients like vitamin C and folate. Lemon has a multitude of uses and it man does it smell good to!

Benefits:

1. Insect Bites

2. Dandruff and other dry skin issues

3. Dental problems

4. Headaches

6. Cloves

Cloves are one of the most flavoring agents. Cloves have antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory properties. They are also high in various vitamins, minerals such as sodium, potassium, iron, and calcium.

Benefits:

1 Relieves toothaches

2 Reduces cough, asthma, bronchitis

3 Reduces stress

4 Reduces infections, wounds and insect bites.

7. Cardamom

This aromatic spice is also known as the ‘queen of spices’. It has antioxidant, antiseptic, properties. Cardamom also is a good source of minerals, such as potassium, calcium, copper, iron and magnesium.

Benefits:

1. Reduce stress levels

2. Ease muscle tension

3. Combats bad breath and mouth ulcers

4. Relieves indigestion and nausea

8. Rosemary

This is one of my very favorite of the spices to use in cooking. It is so fun to have a fresh pot growing and snipping some right off the stem into your recipe. Rosemary is a perennial herb and is best known for its health promoting properties. This herb stimulates immune system and also used as insecticide. It possesses various health benefiting minerals and anti-oxidants.

Benefits:

1. Improves memory power and concentration

2. Controls blood pressure

3. Protects from lung cancer

4. Rosemary oil prevents premature baldness

The benefits of these common kitchen ingredients will help keep you healthy as well as treat ailments of every day life. You can improve your health and live a happier life by incorporating them into your everyday diet. They are not heal alls and this doesn’t discredit the medical world but it is a healthy way to keep your body’s immune up and being aware of natural healers is important. As we enter the fall/winter seasons we tend to get sicker so try out some ways to help you incorporate your diet and health together!