Spice it up

Spices are good for health provided they are consumed in balanced way.

Spices are the most important ingredient in all Indian cuisines. Apart from adding taste and flavour to the food they also have many health benefits, only if taken in moderate quantities.
Senior dietician and HOD of BL Kapoor Hospital, Dr Shachi Sohal said, "The quantity of all the spices should be monitored because they have side-effects too and can do more harm than good if taken in large quantities. Also people should check the adulteration in the spices before buying them."

Spices do have benefits that help people get rid of health ailments provided they are taken in moderate quantities.

Turmeric
From the times of our grandparents we are told that turmeric is good for health. It serves as an antiseptic and has been proven to be good for obesity and arthritis. Due to its anti-oxidant properties it helps in healing wounds. This yellow coloured spice is anti-cancerous and anti-inflammatory and can be applied on burns. This spice with so many good properties works as an anti-bacterial too.

Coriander leaves
Other than decorating our food and salad, coriander leaves have a lot of medicinal values. They have anti-oxidant properties and are high in fiber. They also help in avoiding chronic diseases and cure mouth ulcers, heal wound and improve the appetite of the person. Dr Sunita Roy said, "Coriander leaves have good iron content and are good for anemic patients."

Green chili
Green chilies promote gastric secretion that helps in proper digestion. It is rich in vitamin C, B and E, iron and potassium. Dietician Dr Kanika Narang from Apollo Hospital said, "Green chilies have anti-oxidant properties and improves health of the skin, eyes and builds immunity system of the body. It helps in dissolving blood clots and increases metabolism. One green chili for a day is sufficient and people with intestinal problems and acidity problems must avoid taking green chilies."
Also, people should not have green chilies if they are empty stomach for a long time.

Cinnamon
Dr Kanika Narang said, "Cinnamons controls blood sugar level and reduces proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma. It is used in preservatives. Also if one teaspoon of cinnamon plus one tablespoon of honey are taken then it helps reduce arthritis pain."

Asafetida (Heeng)
Asafetida helps in the treatment of respiratory disorders, cough and pre mature labour pain and excessive menstrual pain. It also helps relieve muscular spasm and stomach bloating.

Cloves
Dr Shachi Sohal said, "One should not have cloves in large quantities. It helps in minor ailments like indigestion and can be used as a home remedy to treat loose motions. For this a little amount of sugar and cloves help people having loose motions."
It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

Fenugreek seeds (methi dana)
"Fenugreek seeds are good facilitators of insulin secretion and controls blood cholesterol level. It also helps in treating post menopause flushes and it is best to drink fenugreek seeds water after soaking them," said Dr Shachi Sohal.

Cardamom
Cardamom helps in improving the appetite of the person and also controls bad odor. It gives relieve in nausea feeling.

Ginger
Senior dietician Dr Sunita Roy from Rockland Hospital said, "Ginger too has antiseptic properties and helps in good digestion. If someone has a feeling of nausea then one or two slices of ginger with black salt works wonders. It is good for throat infection, especially dry throat. It stimulates mucus secretion in the body and helps reduce cough. Ginger has anti-fungal properties that help in treating fungal infections especially when it is taken with honey. It also helps reduce muscular pains."
Ginger also has enzymes that help in protein digestion.

Garlic
Garlic is for the healthy heart. If people have it early morning empty stomach than it helps lower cholesterol level. But some people are allergic to garlic as it causes gastric irritation to them. So, one should check before eating it.

--Nehaa Marya