Spices and their curative or preventive abilities, central in human history since the most ancient civilizations.
Spices have always been a source of great interest to me, representatives of cultures and histories, wrapped in an aura of magic and primitive practices. Their being a natural product that can be mixed and dosed has given them a very fascinating image of witchcraft and mysticism; their curative and/or preventive properties remind us of ancestral aspects that we sometimes seem to have forgotten. My idea was to leave here a small list of useful and curious spices, hoping it will help us.
Spices in history.
From a historical point of view it is very interesting to consider the fact that the use of spices has been attested since the most ancient civilizations, in Chinese culture it seems to have existed since before 3.0000/2.5000 BC among the Egyptians they were used for embalming and we find them even in the biblical stories.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, during which there was a high use and exchange of spices, there was almost a blockage of trade in these; at the end of the empire of Charlemagne, who ordered that countless herbs were cultivated throughout his kingdom, we witness the return of a large production and exchange of the latter; in the same period, moreover, the first medicinal gardens were born in the monasteries.
Spices have always had a great value, considered on a par with gold, they have prompted empires, kingdoms and adventurers to take new routes to be found.
From history to literature spices and herbs have played a central role, both for economic and healing and magical purposes, think of Circe, the sorceress who draws on the fruits of her island for her powers.
How today spices can help us.
To move on to more practical facts, I'll try to draw up a list of common spices that can help us.
Dill: similar to wild fennel and anise with a more pungent flavor it has a series of qualities that can be exploited, first of all it favors the elimination of gas in the stomach and intestines, it is an antispasmodic which can help for stomach cramps and bad breath, it constitutes a great help for the gastrointestinal system and beyond, through the infusion it counteracts insomnia, has great diuretic and purifying properties and is useful against water retention and cellulite; finally, through the chopped seeds it is possible to make compresses useful for strengthening fragile nails.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon is one of those spices that you either love it or hate it and it's also the most Christmas spice of all, but what are its superpowers? Cinnamon is antioxidant, anti-flu and antifungal, so it's great for colds and sore throats, it's also rich in iron, calcium and vitamin K, it contains polyphenols so it improves heart health; taking this spice reduces the risk of diabetes and helps fight cholesterol. ATTENTION, however, cinnamon should be taken not exceeding a certain daily amount, abuse in fact could cause contraindications.
Turmeric: turmeric is really a great ally for me, I use it a lot when I'm inflamed and when I'm influenced, all this thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants and its anti-inflammatory qualities, turmeric prevents heart and degenerative diseases, excellent for skin care from fungi, irritations, ulcers and burns.
Nutmeg: a spice easily available in our pantries that can give us something more than the good smell and taste in the puree. In popular medicine, in fact, it has always been considered analgesic, antirheumatic, digestive, laxative and last but definitely not least, aphrodisiac; relieves muscle pain, promotes circulation, stimulates appetite and fights gallstones; be careful, however, nutmeg also has its dark sides, if abused it produces a neurotoxic effect, so you will have to settle for its aphrodisiac qualities a little at a time.
Chilli pepper: chilli pepper is an excellent natural fat burner, in fact it stimulates the metabolism and acts on fat deposits, it is also a vasodilator, has anticancer, anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, it is a natural analgesic and strengthens the immune system.
Saffron: in addition to being the king of risottos, it is certainly the king of antioxidants, with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, in some cases also used for the treatment of mild to moderate depression; it has a good protective action on the liver and on the bronchial system, saffron seems to have anti-aging qualities.
Ginger: ginger promotes digestion and protects the stomach; useful against menstrual pain and for the reduction of gas production in the colon, very useful against nausea and dizziness but also arthritis pains; ginger also fights flu symptoms and helps burn fat.
We remember that:
There are thousands of spices and aromatic herbs and the list could be endless, I have chosen the most common or those with the most quality.
Everyone can mix them in the way they prefer, experimenting with different uses, however it is important not to forget that there is the other side of the coin and, if spices have many qualities that can help us, used in an abusive way can cause as many problems, sometimes even serious ones. , so use them sparingly or ask for help from herbalists and experts.
With this small list, I wish you good experimentation and a good season of magical herbal teas.
