Surprising Facts about 10 Common Cooking Spices

These common household cooking spices will not only make your food taste and smell good, but they also have healing properties. When these cooking spices are used in a highly concentrated state, such as essential oils, they have a wide range of health benefits. An essential oil is oil that has been purified by heating it up until it becomes a gas and cooling it back down to make a pure liquid from a plant or other source that has the same characteristics (link 1). Like most essential oils these oils are applied on the skin and not taken internally. Consult with a doctor before trying any of the following: 1. Cinnamon There is nothing better than coming in from a cold winter day and smelling the aroma of hot apple cider. What you may not know is that cinnamon essential oil is a great antimicrobial. This means that cinnamon is great for removing viruses, bacteria, and mold. Cinnamon essential oil creates an environment where viruses and bacteria cannot live. It does this by cleaning the cells receptor cites, which are like an electric outlet and a plug; this allows the cells to communicate with each other. If the cells don’t communicate properly they fail to function causing sickness. Cinnamon essential oil contains molecules called sesquiterpene, which are so small that they can easily move through the cell membranes in our body. These molecules carry oxygen into our cells, and have the ability to rewrite cell DNA. This helps with fighting cancer cells because all cancer cells are, are a miscommunication between cell receptor sites (link 2). Cinnamon essential oil helps with the circulatory system because of its ability to reduce the formation of blood clots (link 3). It also helps the body regulate and utilize insulin better (link 4). 2. Black pepper Black pepper has been used for medicinal purposes since prehistoric times. There are about two thousand different types of species of pepper in the black pepper family but most of them are just for cooking and don’t have the same characteristics as black pepper essential oil. It is a good idea to do your research before you buy. The aroma of black pepper essential oil has a stimulating and empowering effect. It also has a destressing effect that can help to have courage to face the problems that are causing stress. Black pepper essential oil boosts the immune system. The use of black pepper essential oil should be avoided at bed time because it maintains alertness, stamina and energy (link 5). It helps with the recovery of sprains and sports injuries. It is also good for arthritis and aching muscles because of its warming effect on the muscles. The aroma of black pepper essential oil may help reduce cigarette cravings because it gives the same burning sensation in the throat as smoking does (link 6). It also stimulates the endocrine glands by causing them to produce hormones (Link 7) (link 8). 3. Allspice This diverse cooking spice when in oil form can help relieve stress and tension, and is sometimes used to treat depression (link 9). Allspice is a benefit to the digestive system because of its antibacterial and antifungal effect or in other words it eliminates bacteria and fungi; which helps to alleviate “vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, and indigestion” (link 10), (link 11). Not only does allspice get rid of the bacteria but it aids in the prevention of more bacteria and fungi. Allspice has a calming effect that stimulates regularity and reduces cramping pain, as well as, eases the overall digestive process (link 11). It also helps with respiratory function. Allspice essential oil helps to relive pain from injuries and arthritis; as well as act as a muscle relaxant by numbing the nerves in the selected area without affecting the central nervous system. This doesn’t allow the nerves to relay a pain signal back to the brain which makes it a very effective natural pain killer (link 12). 4. Garlic Have you ever heard of someone eating raw garlic to get rid a cold? Well, it actually works! It is said that if you eat two cloves of crushed garlic at the first sign of a cold it will lessen the colds symptoms (link 13). Garlic is believed to be “nature’s most perfect antibiotic.” Garlic raw or in oil form are both very good antibiotics, but garlic essential oil is so concentrated that two drops of it undiluted could severely burn you. When properly diluted garlic essential oil is great for preventing the flu. It also aids in relieving pain from tooth aches by numbing the selective area much like allspice. Garlic essential oil is great for bacterial skin rashes, ear aches, and has been used for decades to fight every known virus or bacteria (link14). In fact there are ancient medical texts from Egypt, Greece, Rome, China, and India that show these cultures using garlic as medicine (link 15). 5. Parsley You may think of parsley as just a garnish of dry leaves to give your pasta dish some color, but this herb really has some strengthening power. Parsley essential oil has the ability to strengthen cell membranes. This ability gives blood vessels some elasticity which helps with clearing bruises, and repairing blood vessels. Parsley essential oil has the capability to remove waste from the blood and tissues of the kidney as well as the liver and bladder (link 16). For this reason it is sometimes used to treat urinary infections and swollen bladder (link 17). In women, parsley aids the improvement of estrogen levels because of a compound called apiol (a component of estrogen) which can improve conditions such as: delayed menstruation, premenstrual syndrome, and menopause. Another benefit that parsley has on the conditions mentioned above is that it is a good source of iron and vitamin C (which aids in iron absorption) (link 16). 6. Oregano Oregano, whether in herb or oil form, has the ability to battle bacteria and decrease swelling (link 18). It is very beneficial to the respiratory system because it can break up or aids in the elimination of mucus in the lungs. It can also sooth swollen lungs and throat which causes coughing (link19). Oregano essential oil is a bacteria fighter aiding in the relief of infections of the nose, sinuses, as well as, pneumonia, bacterial growth in the tissues of the lungs, common colds, and the flu (link 20). It is also helpful for allergies by toning down the bodies negative responses to the allergic substance. Oregano essential oil aids in slowing down the process of aging by protecting the body from free radicles (link 19). Oregano essential oil contains a compound called carvacrol that decreases the amount of immune cells in fat tissue which causes inflammation. By so doing carvacrol helps with weight loss (link 21). 7. Nutmeg Believe it or not nutmeg is a great stress reliever (link 22), so maybe that’s why we feel better after eating a piece of pumpkin pie. Nutmeg essential oil relieves stress and mental fatigue by stimulating the brain. Nutmeg essential oil also has ant-inflammatory properties which help to alleviate pain in swollen joints and aching muscles (link 23). It improves the body’s blood circulation which may help to get rid of feeling dizzy and fainting spells (link 22). Nutmeg essential oil is great for the digestive track by removing gas from the stomach and intestines which aids in the treatment of chronic diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Nutmeg essential oil has often been used to eliminate kidney stones and helps to get rid of kidney infections and kidney disease. It also aids in toothaches and hurting gums. The “woody aroma” of nutmeg essential oil has the ability to remove bad breath (link 23). Forget the breath mint and eat some pumpkin bread. 8. Basil Just the smell alone of basil can clear your mind and help you to be open to new ideas. Basil when used as an essential oil can help strengthen the nervous system which means it is great for headaches, memory loss, and poor concentration. It also helps with digestive function by relieving gas from the stomach and small intestine. A basil essential oil massage may help with muscle spasms by increasing blood flow to those muscles (link 24). Basil essential oil has been said to treat asthma and bronchitis. Basil essential oil is frequently used to treat acne and skin infections. It is also often used in skin care products that claim to tone the skin (link 25). Surprisingly, it can also be used as insect repellent for flies and mosquitos (link 26). So forget about those nasty smelling bug repellents and put on a few drops of basil essential oil. 9. Cloves bud Cloves bud essential oil is considered one of the best oils for its nutritional value. Cloves bud is very high in manganese, vitamin K, and fiber. It also has a lot of potassium which maintains heart rate and blood pressure (link 27). Because of this ability cloves bud essential oil is used for killing viruses and bacteria in their early stages (link 28). It has the ability to help move food through the intestines by increasing the amount of enzymes that are present. Cloves bud essential oil is good for gas, nausea, diarrhea, ring worm, scabies, and skin parasites. It also has the ability to numb the selected area in which the oil is placed. This ability is handy in regards to ailments such as a tooth ache (link 29). One other neat ability that cloves bud essential oil has is to expand blood vessels which increases blood flow, helping with arthritis and sore muscles (link 30). 10. Ginger Ginger essential oil is great for motion sickness, jet lag, and loss of appetite. It also aids in menstrual pain (link 31). Ginger herb or oil aids in preventing malabsorption by helping with effective food transportation and nutrient absorption to assist in the digestion of food. Ginger essential oil aids in circulation by increasing blood flow and opens up the skin pores. This ability will help increase your energy level. It is also great for cleaning out the sinuses by unplugging them and helping with drainage (link 32). Ginger essential oil, in a study done on rats, is suggested to be beneficial in preventing short term memory loss (link 33). It has also been found to help get rid of cancers, like ovarian cancer, by causing the cancer cells to attack themselves. If you’re cancer free adding more ginger into your diet may help you keep from getting cancer (link 34). Sources: Link 1 http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/essential%20oil; http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distilled Link 2 http://www.rnoel.50megs.com/pdf/theblood.htm Link 3http://www.botanical-online.com/english/cinnamon.htm Link 4 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/Cinnamon Link 5http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/benefits-of-black-pepper.html Link 6 http://tribune.com.pk/story/879854/7-amazing-benefits-of-black-pepper/ Link 7 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/blackpepper Link8 https://books.google.com/books?id=tXiLmBkxv3wC&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&dq=black+pepper+oils+effect+on+the+endocrine+gland&source=bl&ots=mdfwREPtql&sig=kbOsxpkLTZ_91V5C9yepb51Mqdo&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwienqbxkaHLAhVS-2MKHQogBpkQ6AEIKjAD#v=onepage&q=black%20pepper%20oils%20effect%20on%20the%20endocrine%20gland&f=false Link 9 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/allspice Link 10 http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-pimento.html Link 11 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/allspice.html Link 12 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-allspice-essential-oil.html Link 13 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-garlic.html Link 14 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/garlic Link 15 http://essentialoilsinformer.com/12-shocking-benefits-of-garlic-oil-that-you-wont-believe/ Link 16 http://naturalhealthtechniques.com/herb-parsley/ Link 17 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/Parsley Link 18 http://www.livestrong.com/article/385057-oregano-oil-for-a-respiratory-infection/ Link 19 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-oregano-essential-oil.html Link 20 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/oregano Link 21 http://www.wellnessresources.com/weight/articles/oregano_oil_as_a_weight_loss_nutrient/ Link 22 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/nutmeg Link 23 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/nutmeg-oil.html Link 24 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/basil Link 25 https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/basil-essential-oil.html Link 26 http://articles.mercola.com/herbal-oils/sweet-basil-oil.aspx Link 27 http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=69 Link 28 http://butterflyexpressions.org/information/singles/clove Link 29 http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/cloves.html Link 30 http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/cloves.html Link 31 http://www.livestrong.com/article/128211-benefits-ginger-oil/ Link 32 http://draxe.com/10-medicinal-ginger-health-benefits/ Link 33 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010628/?tool=pubmed Link 34 http://bembu.com/ginger-benefits