5 Ayurvedic herbs and Indian spices and their medicinal uses you must know about.
Ayurvedic home remedies for cough and cold, Ayurvedic home remedies for back pain, and Ayurvedic home remedies for common diseases and ailments.
1. Turmeric
Turmeric is a wonder spice. It can fight all kinds of viral infections and has some of the most powerful healing properties known in Ayurveda. It contains Curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory effects. It is also an excellent analgesic and anti-bacterial Ayurvedic herb which prevents all kinds of infection and heals wounds.
Everyone in India knows, Turmeric is an excellent remedy for cold and cough. Everyone is advised to drink turmeric milk when you are sick. As per Ayurveda, turmeric is one of the best foods to increase immunity.
Turmeric also protects the body against various heart diseases and improves circulation of blood. It enhances the function of endothelium (the lining of your blood vessels) and thus acts as an immunomodulatory agent for body cells. Apart from these, Curcumin has several other health effects for arthritis, diabetes, kinds of allergies, respiratory ailments and Alzheimer’s disease.
The anti-cancer properties of turmeric are also well-known. The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin prevents a variety of cancer, such as breast, prostrate, gastric and pancreatic. Curcumin slows the spread of tumor cells and it prevents the formation of tumors.
2. Cumin (Jeera)
Drinking jeera water is one of the best home remedies for gas problem. Cumin prevents the formation of excess gas.
Cumin seeds is abundant in a phytochemical compound called Cumin Aldehyde and contains naturally occurring antioxidants (Apigenin and Luteolin). Cumin seeds also contain Thymol and several essential oils that stimulate the salivary gland and intestinal tracts easing digestion. Needless to say, cumin is Carminative and relieves from flatulence.
3. Carrom Seeds (Ajwain)
Ajwain, known as Carom seeds, is packed with numerous health benefits. Primarily for pain, ajwain is a powerful remedy for people suffering from arthritis or bone-joint pains.
Its effective anti-inflammatory power cures arthritic pain, swelling, inflammation and other associated symptoms. Apart from its anti-inflammatory powers, ajwain has equally effective anesthetic properties which is highly effective in soothing swelling and reducing all kinds of inflammation.
To use ajwain in pain conditions, take a tub of hot water and add a spoonful of ajwain and mix it properly. Once the ajwain-water is ready, apply it (soak) on aching joints and keep it still for 5 minutes.
4. Ginger (Adrak)
Ginger is sure to have its place in every home. Although the medicinal value of ginger is well-known, a particular mention has to be made about the anti-inflammatory properties of ginger.
It is commonly used for relief from headache, reducing joint pains, aiding digestion and also helps in cases of nausea and vomiting. If this herb is readily available in your kitchen, you can make a paste of one teaspoon of dry ginger powder with two teaspoons of water.
In case of headache, this can be applied onto the forehead for a few minutes for good relief.
5. Cinnamon (Dalchini)
Cinnamon, an aromatic spice with refreshing flavor is widely used in Indian curries and pulao and even tea.
This wood spice has some of the powerful health benefits for diabetes and stomach related ailments. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels and has a powerful anti-diabetic effect. Cinnamon is so powerful that it can lower fasting blood sugars by upto 10-30% in diabetic patients.
It is also effective in treatment for blood circulation ailments and menstruation related pain and disorders.
6. Garlic (Lehsun)
Garlic a low-calorie food is a also the source of various amino acids and enzymes which helps the body to build its muscular structure.
A single clove of garlic contains some of the most sought-after compounds such as, Manganese, Iron, Vitamin B1, Phosphorus, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Selenium, Calcium, Copper, Sulfur, Fiber and Potassium. Garlic’s health benefits has the ability to help control various cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and high blood pressure (hypertension). In fact, Garlic can reduce cholesterol by about 10–15%.
Garlic also has antioxidants which helps prevent various chronic diseases. Adding a clove of garlic can also help you live longer as it improves the immune system tremendously.