Spices & Their Medicinal Uses
Allspice
-Has appetizing and digestive promoting effects
-Allspice extracts have good antimicrobial, especially fungistatic action
-No case reports of toxicity if taken in high doses
-Used in herbal liqueurs, baking oils, perfumes and soaps
-Goes well with bay, cinnamon, clove, ginger, juniper, nutmeg, orange peel, garlic and onion
Anise
-Has appetizing and digestive promoting effects
-Anethole, in small concentrations caused contractions in the small intestine; in larger doses it showed to relax intestines of the mouse in vitro
-No case reports of toxicity if taken regularly, but if taken consistently in high doses an estrogenic effect could occur
Estrogenic Effects
Estrogen-like plant compounds, such as those found in fennel, have a notable effect on human hormones. The "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" notes that fennel has a long history of use as a treatment for lactation problems, infertility and pregnancy complications. The "Journal of Integrative Cancer Therapies" notes that these plant compounds may impact hormone levels in women with estrogen-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer. However, scientists are not yet certain whether these hormonal effects are beneficial or detrimental to women with these disorders.(http://livewell.jillianmichaels.com/fennel-herb-estrogen-5517.html)
-Used in toothpastes, mouthwashes, soaps, perfumes, creams, lotions and anise water in India
-Goes well with chervil, coriander and rosemary
Basil
-Has appetizing and digestive promoting effects
-No case reports of toxicity if taken regularly
-The powered herb and the methanolic or aqueous extracts inhibited the occurrence of acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastric ulcers in rats; the antiviral action of aqueous basil extracts, as observed in vitro, was dependent on their rosmarinic acid content, and occurred only with topical application
-Used in perfumes
-Goes well with coriander, garlic, onion, paprika, parsley, pepper, rosemary. saffron, tarragon and thyme
Bay
-Has appetizing and digestive promoting effects
-No case reports of toxicity if taken in regularly; however people allergic to compositae should avoid contact with bay leaves and foods containing them
-Extracts of bay leaf lowered the glucose levels in animals with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus; in rats that were administered ethanol, the extracts were able to retard the elevation of blood alcohol levels. The effect could be traced back to a delay in stomach emptying and absorption
-Used in perfumes for men and it is claimed that bay added to flour repels weevils
-Goes well with black pepper, clove, juniper berries, parsley, tarragon and thyme
Cardamom
-In addition to having appetizing and digestive promoting effects it also has gastric juice and bile secretion promoting action
-No case reports of toxicity if taken regularly
-Used in the perfume industry
-Goes well with sweet dishes containing cinnamon, clove, ginger, saffron and star anise; in salty dishes containing allspice, black pepper, clove, coriander, garlic and onion; it also works well with nutmeg as a spice in fish dishes
Works Cited
Teuscher, Eberhard. Medicinal Spices: A Handbook of Culinary Herbs, Spices, Spice Mixtures and Their Essential Oils. Germany: CRC Press & Medpharm, 2006. Print.
Celery
-Stimulates saliva, secretion of gastric juices, excretion of bile and increased intestinal motility
-No case reports of toxicity if taken regularly, however some people may be allergic to celery
-Used in the perfume industry
-Goes well with garlic and onions
Chives
-Have appetizing and digestion promoting effects
-No case reports of toxicity if taken regularly, however if consumed in high dosages it may lead to gastric irratation
-Goes well with chervil, lemon balm, parsley, onions and tarragon
Cinnamon
-Has appetizing and digestion promoting effects; aqueous solutions showed in dogs a decreased motility but an increase in intestinal motility; in certain guinea pigs cinnamon oil showed to have a relaxing effect
-No case reports of toxicity if taken regularly, however after intaking large amounts of cinnamon vomiting has been reported; also shown were spastic fits and depression
-Used in toothpastes, oral care products and perfumes
-Goes well with allspice, clove, coriander, nutmeg and vanilla
Lemon
-Has appetizing and digestion promoting effects; in animal experiments, lyphilized* lemon juice lowered levels of cholesterol, LDL triglycerols in the blood of rats and elevated HDL levels
*Lyophilization is a process which extracts the water from foods and other products so that the foods or products remain stable and are easier to store at room temperature
-No case reports of toxicity if taken regularly, however frequent consumption of citrus fruits can lead to chemical erosion of the tooth enamel
-Used in soaps, face lotions and perfumes
-Goes well with garlic and rosemary and garlix mixed with olive oil
Clove
-Has appetizing and digestion promoting effects; may protect the organism from carcinogenic substances
-No case reports of toxicity if taken regularly, however at very high dosages, which likely exceed the detoxifying capacity of the liver, clove oil or eugenol lead to hepatotoxic effects*
*Chemical driven liver damage
-Used in tobacco as an additive, soaps and perfumes
-Goes well with bay leaf, garlic, onion, parsley, pepper, thyme, anise, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg
Posted on: 3/31/14