Kitchen Pharmacy: Unlocking The Healing Potential Of Spices

Spices have been in my life since I was a child. I remember pulling up chives when I was young, rinsing them off, and eating them straight from the garden. When I began to study Ayurveda, spices became a part of my medicine cabinet. I no longer reached for over-the-counter drugs to ease my ailments. Instead, I would go into my kitchen and prepare a decoction with spices. My relationship and connection to spices have deepened over the years. They are what I use to support my health. My use of spices has become what I call Kitchen Pharmacy. I am forever grateful to my teachers for the time together in the kitchen and classroom studying these medicinal herbs and spices, planting gardens, and spending time with the plants from seed to harvest.

When I began to work with clients over a decade ago, I realized that most of my clients were not familiar with or comfortable using spices for healing. Yes, they all knew of black pepper, salt, and garlic and had them before, but using spices to support their health was unfamiliar. The American diet lacks the use of spices. They are not even part of the USDA food pyramid. A diet that contains whole foods, vegetables, and fruits is good but cannot fight disease. Yes, that is correct. But a whole foods diet that includes spices can. I began to teach my clients what I had learned and how to utilize spices to unlock their healing powers. To develop the skills and to become comfortable cooking with them in their kitchens.

Spices contain an abundance of phytonutrients not found in other foods and are unique only to spices. They contain antioxidants that reduce free radicals in the body. Free radicals damage cells and are the cause of disease and aging. Phytonutrients are natural anti-inflammatories that contain volatile oils that give spices their aromas, with the rise of inflammatory diseases, like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and Alzheimer's. Spices contain the healing power to reduce the risk of these diseases. In studies that examined diet and health and the use of spices, populations with a diet rich in spices have lower rates of inflammatory diseases. The United States has three times the rate of colon cancer than India. India having a diet rich in spices, also has one of the lowest rates of Alzheimer's disease.

Along with their antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties spices are great for your microbes. They contain microbes that can kill off unwanted bacteria, viruses, and fungi while supporting the healthy microbes in your gut. Spices also limit the release of histamine that causes allergic reactions, support your immune system, and regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. They calm the nerves, ease anxiety, and reduce pain. They even boost the metabolism-regulating hormones and help to burn calories. Spices strengthen and rejuvenate the body, slowing down aging.

Spices are amazing. At one time, they were more precious than gold. Turmeric, cinnamon, coriander, ginger, and black peppercorns are among the oldest spices dating back 4000-5000 years ago. Ayurveda wrote and described their various therapeutic uses and remedies for hundreds of aliments thousands of years ago, which still holds today. 

 I cook with spices every day. Cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, cloves, and fennel are all a part of my daily life. I believe we all want to prevent inflammatory diseases like heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and cancer. If so, add more spices to your meals. and do not go another day without adding spices to your life.

Would you like to take full advantage of the many benefits of spices? Then join me in my NEW COURSE KITCHEN PHARMACY Let me be your guide to unlocking the healing potential of spices.