Aromatic spices are what make eastern cuisine so special. But do you know that they are also one of the best means to prevent colds? Or that they have the ability to kill harmful micro-organisms in the digestive track? Indeed, right from reducing stress and soothing toothache to relieving nasal congestion, spices can provide excellent cures for the worst of our body troubles. Let’s take a closer look at our kitchen counter and check their medicinal values.

Cinnamon Cinnamon contains loads of antimicrobial substances, and therefore is effective for prevention of flu. Drinking tea prepared with half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a pinch of black pepper and honey can provide a very soothing effect on a sore, inflamed throat and chronic cough. Taken along with ginger, it works wonders in vomiting and diarrhoea. Just add dried cinnamon and fresh grated ginger to a cup of hot water, stir and strain the mixture, and drink it for immediate relief. Black mustard seeds

Valuable oils, glycoside sinigrin and potassium salt account for the excellent warming properties of black mustard seeds. At the first sign of cold, prepare a mustard bath for your feet by pouring hot water into a bowl with 150 grams of mustard and 200 grams of salt. Soak your feet in this solution for 20 minutes, rinse with warm water, put on socks and go to bed.

To ease severe cough, try the mustard compress: slightly warm equal quantities of flour, black mustard seeds powder, sunflower oil and honey; now spread the mixture onto a cloth and apply to the chest or back. Mustard compresses also have anti-inflammatory effect as well as stimulate the immune system and relieve pain.

Being a great source of selenium and magnesium, mustard seeds can reduce the symptoms of  diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or asthma. Another important health benefit of mustard seeds is that it is helpful in reducing the frequency of migraines.

Cardamom Green cardamom has a unique taste and rich flavour, which kills the germs and bacteria that cause bad breath. Peel off some cardamom pods, and eat the seeds directly to freshen up your mouth. Its larger, black variety is a proven remedy for gastro-intestinal problems or loose motion in toddlers: cook some cardamoms, mint leaves and anise seeds in water and give that decoction to the child. These are also the basic ingredients of gripe water.

The following recipe helps in eliminating excessive mucus in the sinuses and broncho-pulmonary system: cook six cardamoms, four cloves, half teaspoon of grated ginger and one cinnamon stick in half a litre of water for five minutes, add a glass of milk, bring to boil, add honey as per taste. This drink works wonders in relieving cold, flu, and even fatigue.

Cloves

Thanks to its analgesic properties, clove oil is a popular cure for toothache, earache as well as sore throat. Besides clove oil, keeping a whole clove near the aching tooth, with the pointed end facing downwards, also works well.

A glass of hot milk poured over four crushed cloves and steeped for 10 minutes can be consumed as an instant antidote for cold and flu, while clove oil mixed with milk and salt can be used for treatment of headaches.

Its antiseptic properties make clove and clove oil an effective remedy for some common problems such as cuts, fungal infections, burns and wounds; whereas as an antispasmodic, clove oil helps to relieve muscle spasms.

Turmeric

Turmeric has unique pain-relieving qualities; paste prepared from turmeric and lime is commonly used as an antidote for swelling due to inflammation. Drinking turmeric added to a glass of warm milk not only helps prevent flu and cough congestion, but strengthens the immune system as well. Its phenolic compound — curcumin — possesses anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory properties.

Gargling with half a teaspoon of salt and one teaspoon of turmeric added to a glass of hot water help relieve inflammation in the throat; whereas one teaspoon of honey mixed with half teaspoon turmeric can help to ward off pharyngitis. If you are suffering from acidity or a burning sensation in the stomach, take two to three turmeric capsules before meal for immediate relief.

Black pepper

Pepper is a reliable home remedy for digestive disorders; for cure of indigestion or heaviness in the stomach, take one-fourth teaspoon of pepper powder added in a cup of milk.

Drinking tea, prepared with five to six finely ground peppercorn and some sugar candy, is also beneficial for the treatment of influenza and fever; whereas a three-day course of 20 grams pepper powder boiled in milk with a pinch of turmeric powder can bring relief from chronic cold. Old wives tales vouch for the fact that massaging swollen gums with finely powdered salt and pepper mixture is beneficial for curing pyorrhoea.

And last but not least, three peppercorns sucked with a pinch of caraway seeds along with a little salt, is an effective remedy for cough; while a cup of green tea with a slice of lemon and a pinch of black pepper will stimulate sweating and help relieve high temperature.

Cumin seeds

Cumin is a traditional remedy for indigestion and stomach-ache. Prepare your cumin tea by steeping one or two teaspoons of cumin seeds in a cup of boiling water. Having half a cup of this tea twice or even thrice a day eliminates indigestion. This spice is also effective in curing bad breath; chewing some roasted cumin seeds eliminates foul smell in the mouth, while gargling with water prepared of cumin seeds and cardamom helps cure mouth blisters. Cumin cooked with a piece of dry ginger is useful in treating common cold and fever; whereas taking cumin seeds with jaggery twice a day cures fever. Tea prepared with cumin seeds, fresh mint leaves and candy sugar (misri) can be taken twice daily after meals to ease diarrhoea.