Thanks to seasonings and spices, you can give a unique and rich taste to even the simplest dish. There are many of them, not all of them are harmless, and with excessive passion for seasonings, you can cause serious harm to your health. Seasonings and spices are products of plant origin, most often the roots, stems, and leaves of exotic plants, which are used to improve taste, smell, and along the way to destroy pathogenic microorganisms. This is especially true for India, where the issue of pathogenic bacteria is most topical. It was from India that the fashion for adding seasonings and natural spice to dishes was mainly spread. How relevant is the addition of these ingredients to other countries? And are natural spice really harmless and can even heal diseases?
Natural spice, their use, and table
There is a wide variety of natural species – for whatever is called taste and color.
There are both natural spice and synthetic ones.
Synthetic ones include vanillin, monosodium glutamate, citric acid, sugar, vinegar, and others.
The fact that these substances are not natural and synthesized artificially speaks for itself.
Eating them for food can cause serious harm to the body.
This is especially true for substances such as monosodium glutamate and sugar.
Monosodium glutamate is a powerful flavor enhancer.
It is added to virtually all products in the modern food industry to create a vivid taste sensation in the consumer.
That is how consumers form food dependencies on harmful products, forcing us to buy in exorbitant amounts completely unnecessary products for our body.
The same goes for sugar. It has been empirically proven that sugar acts on the brain according to the same principle as cocaine – pictures of brain activity after consuming cocaine and sugar are absolutely identical.
And manufacturers also use this – today, finding a product without sugar in a supermarket is simply a literally impossible quest.
Sugar is present even where, following the elementary logic, it should not be – in mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, sausage, canned meat, and so on.
Why?
Because sugar perfectly forms dependence, and if sugar is added to the product, then a person will buy it regularly. Therefore, with regard to synthetic seasonings, it is better to avoid using them.
The situation is different with natural spice – most of them have a beneficial effect on the body.
Natural spice you should know
1. Anise
It is widely used in flour and confectionery products. It has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antispasmodic effects.
2. Asafoetida
It is actively used in rice, vegetable, and bean dishes.
It has an anticonvulsant effect.
3. Star anise
It is used as a spice when making tea.
It increases immunity and stimulates blood circulation.
4. Basil
It is used in sauces, soups, vegetable salads, canned food, and pickles.
It contains ascorbic acid, which is a powerful stimulant to enhance immunity.
5. Barberry
It is used to prepare a wide range of rice dishes.
Barberry is also used for conservation.
Jam is made from berries and sweets are made.
Barberry contains malic, tartaric, and citric acid.
6. Valerian
It is used as a seasoning for salads, has a pleasant delicate aroma and original taste.
The effect on the body is beneficial. Soothes the nervous system.
It will help with neurosis, insomnia, tachycardia, epilepsy, headaches, and gastrointestinal diseases.
7. Vanilla
It is widely used in bakery products and confectionery products.
Including for the production of a synthetic analog – vanillin.
8. Clove
It is used in the preparation of marinades, confectionery, and various sweet dishes, including stewed fruit and juices.
It can also be used in the preparation of soups and sauces.
Cloves are rich in vitamins and minerals, and also have a cold and anti-inflammatory effect.
9. Mustard
It is used in sauces, mayonnaises, and marinades.
Mustard stimulates digestion, reduces the risk of heart ailments, has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.
It may relieve toothache and headaches. It helps with bowel disease.
10. Ginger
It is used in the manufacture of baked goods, confectionery, honey, kvass and other drinks.
Improves digestion and blood circulation.
Effective for colds.
It is not recommended for use in diseases of the liver of the gallbladder.
11. Cardamon
It is mainly used when brewing tea.
It contains many vitamins.
Effective for colds and cleanses the digestive tract from toxins.
But it has a side effect – it increases sexual desire.
Therefore, abuse is not recommended.
12. Caraway
It is added to salads.
It has antibacterial and antifungal effects.
13. Coriander
It is used in the production of pickles, pickles, confectionery.
Coriander is part of the popular Borodino bread in our country.
Coriander has an antiseptic and analgesic effect.
14. Cinnamon
It is widely used in the manufacture of confectionery and hot drinks.
Cinnamon is used for pickling and other types of canning.
It has a powerful antioxidant effect.
It is forbidden to use during pregnancy.
15. Red pepper
It is used in the preparation of soups, vegetable dishes, and sauces.
It has a powerful antimicrobial effect and increases blood circulation.
Suppresses the growth of cancer cells.
16. Black pepper
It is used in salads, vegetable and bean dishes, marinades.
It has antimicrobial and antiparasitic effects.
Promotes digestion.
17. Sesame
It is used in confectionery and bakery products.
Sesame is the record holder for calcium among all other foods.
Calcium in it is much more than in dairy products and poppy seeds.
18. Turmeric
It is most commonly used in a spice mix called Curry.
Turmeric is a natural antibiotic and is also able to cleanse the body.
19. Laurel
It is used in the preparation of soups and preservation.
Bay leaf is a powerful antibiotic that can suppress the activity of almost any harmful bacteria.
Effective even against tubercle bacillus and Staphylococcus aureus – the most resistant microorganisms.
20. Melissa
It is used in salads and soups.
Melissa has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and cardiovascular.
21. Nutmeg
It is used in sweet dishes: confectionery, cocoa, compotes, jams.
It is not recommended to abuse nutmeg, as it has a narcotic effect – it can cause headaches and hallucinations.
22. Mint
It is used in the manufacture of various drinks, salads, and in the preservation of vegetables.
It has an antioxidant effect.
23. Paprika
It is used in the preparation of salads and soups.
Contains essential oils and many vitamins.
24. Parsley
It is used in the preparation of salads and preservation.
It has a rich spectrum of vitamins and minerals.
25. Rosemary
It is used in pickling and other types of preservation.
It’s added to soups and salads.
It has an immunostimulating effect.
26. Caraway
Its seeds are used in salads, vegetable dishes, and canned food.
It has a beneficial effect on the kidneys, dissolves stones.
27. Dill
It is used in salads, vegetable dishes, and canned food.
Contains a rich spectrum of vitamins and minerals.
28. Fennel
It is a kind of dill, is used in salads and vegetable dishes.
May alleviate flatulence.
Abuse is not worth it, at high dosage it is toxic.
29. Horseradish
It is used mainly for conservation.
Contains many vitamins and mineral salts.
30. Thyme
It is added to tea and used in the conservation process.
Effective against worms and various kinds of inflammation.
31. Sage
It is used in the preparation of salads, soups, and pies.
Sage is a powerful antiseptic.
32. Saffron
It is used in the manufacture of confectionery products, as well as in the conservation process.
There is reason to believe that saffron can slow the deterioration of vision in the elderly.
A little bit of history
Centuries ago, spices were valued more than gold.
Looking for spices, they searched for new lands, laid the latest trade lines.
Spices were used as a preservative dye of some foods.
Spices were used as cosmetics with the ability to improve skin, hair, and nails.
They cost a lot, so they are often presented to a major celebration as the main offering.
The richer the family was and the higher its status, the more varied and more spices were on the menu.
Kitchen herbs
Spices are added to food in order to improve the taste and give the food smell, as well as to prevent quick spoilage of the product.
Spicy spices help improve digestion. Spicy spices include:
- Cloves;
- Cinnamon;
- Vanilla;
- Asafoetida;
- Vanilla;
- Star anise;
- Different types of pepper;
- Turmeric;
- Nutmeg;
- Rosemary;
- Zest;
- Saffron.
What spices are most useful
Natural spice not only improve the taste of food but also positively affect the human body.
It is interesting that acute food supplements stimulate the production of endorphins and improve mood, and those that are green in color usually give the body the antioxidants it needs.
You can countless spices and seasonings with a positive effect, few people know about some of them, among the most common with pronounced healing abilities, one can distinguish:
- pepper helps to produce the hormone of happiness, helps to cope with pain;
- bay leaf improves digestion, favorably affects the cardiovascular system, helps fight arthritis;
- ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory, analgesic component;
- basil has a positive effect on the immune system, is a natural source of keratin, vitamin B and C;
- clove is a natural antiseptic, it is useful to use in the autumn-winter period for the prevention of colds and flu;
- cumin – its regular use provides the body with vitamin E, the supplement relieves pain and cramps, improves blood circulation;
- turmeric is a spice known as an effective tool for the prevention of cancer.
Tips for proper storage of spices
All the benefits of natural spice for food can be lost if you do not follow the basic rules for their storage.
To preserve properties, it is important:
- choose a glass jar with a sealed lid for storage;
- avoid direct sunlight;
- remove the jar from a room with high humidity;
- rarely used additives should be stored in the fridge.
If you follow these simple rules, you can permanently preserve the taste, aroma, and useful properties of spices and seasonings.
And if you still study the features of the combination of different types of spices, you can add unique taste and aroma to your daily dishes.
Giving flavor and smell to products is far from the main property of spices.
The use of spices and seasonings can also be used to solve health problems.
The most useful spices are:
1. Bay leaf
Bay leaf is a powerful natural antibiotic.
It is able to suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.
Regular addition of bay leaf to food will maintain a high level of immunity.
In case of health problems, you can apply a decoction of bay leaves.
It has two main functions: it is able to cleanse the body and destroy pathogenic microorganisms and parasites.
2. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant.
Regular consumption of cinnamon can slow down the aging process in the body and start the recovery process.
3. Ginger
Ginger is one of the most powerful immunomodulators.
Tea with ginger during a cold is one of the most powerful remedies.
It not only enhances immunity but also inhibits the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria.
4. Red pepper
Red pepper is a regular addition of red pepper that will protect yourself from cancer.
Scientifically proven that red pepper inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
5. Valerian
Valerian is able to heal the nervous system, relieve nervous breakdowns, tantrums, stress, headaches, as well as problems with the cardiovascular system.
Names and types of spices and seasonings
Spices can conditionally be divided into several types:
1. Spicy vegetables
These include onion vegetables – various types of onions, garlic, buckrams, mustard garlic.
Root vegetables include parsley vegetables: parsley, parsnip, celery, fennel, and horseradish.
2. Spices
These include all types of wormwood, mint, mustard, watercress.
Spicy herbs include such popular spices as basil, sweet clover, anise, coriander, lovage, lavender, marjoram, cumin, chervil, juniper, rue, caraway seeds, dill, cinnamon, thyme, sage, tarragon, and others.
3. Seasoning mixes
These include curry, adjika, dolma, khmeli-suneli, a bouquet of garni, shichimi togarashi, and many others.
About the author
Melisa Marzett is engaged in charity work in Bali where she is currently living to help local families and writing services www.findwritingservice.com as an essay writer, she has gone through many essays on everything and anything. She is curious by nature and loves moving forward. Not a day goes by without her finding out something new, which she enjoys sharing with the world.
