The use of natural ingredients to treat health problems is becoming more and more common with every passing year, and for good reason. Many common kitchen ingredients provide impressive health benefits.
Beyond their culinary use of making your food tasty,these ingredients can help deal with a range of health issues from minor to major. Home treatments can be time-saving, inexpensive and, most importantly, as effective as medicines.
Here are the top 10 kitchen ingredients that also work like medicines.
1. Turmeric:
Turmeric is a popular spice used in cooking. Its antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties also make it an effective home remedy for a variety of conditions.
You can use turmeric to disinfect minor cuts and burns as well as treat the common cold, cough, joint inflammation, arthritis, bruised skin, acne, pimples and various stomach ailments.
It can also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and minimize liver damage caused by alcohol abuse or regular use of painkillers. Due to its antioxidant properties, turmeric has also been proven beneficial in treating many types of cancer, most notably breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and leukemia.
2. Ginger:
Ginger has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties. At the same time, it is a powerful natural analgesic or painkiller. Ginger is also a good source of potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, and vitamins A, C, E and B-complex.
You can use ginger to treat an upset stomach, indigestion, heartburn, nausea and motion sickness; regular body pain and arthritis pain; a cold, cough and other respiratory health problems; fever; and menstrual cramps. It has also been proven that ginger can be used to control different types of cancer due to its ability to slow the growth of cancer cells.
3. Cinnamon:
Cinnamon has antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, carminative and antiflatulent properties. This spice is also an excellent source of minerals, such as potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc and copper, along with vitamin A, niacin and pyridoxine.
Cinnamon is often used to treat the common cold, flatulence, indigestion, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, arthritis pain and painful menstrual periods.
It has also been found that regular consumption of cinnamon can help people with Type 2 diabetes to control their blood sugar level. In addition, it helps lower cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of various types of heart disease. It should not be taken in excess though, as it may cause toxicity.
4. Garlic:
Garlic is often referred to as a superfood due to its stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic properties. In addition, garlic is packed with vitamins and nutrients, such as protein, potassium, calcium, zinc and many others.
Garlic can be used to treat cough, chronic bronchitis, sore throat, hoarseness, sinus problems, asthma, ear infection, indigestion, stomach ache, colic, ringworm, toothache, and bug bites.
It can even help lower cholesterol levels and prevent strokes. Also, this strong-smelling herb reduces the risk of several types of cancer and heart disease.
5. Lemon:
Lemon is known for its antioxidant properties along with immune-boosting powers. It also has many nourishing nutrients like vitamin C and folate.
Lemon has a multitude of medicinal uses and is often used in the treatment of headaches, throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, dandruff, insect bites, arthritis, rheumatism, and internal bleeding.
It is considered for losing weight, reducing high blood pressure and getting rid of kidney stones. When consumed regularly, lemon also helps prevent many conditions like strokes, cardiovascular disease and various types of cancer. Plus, it is excellent for your skin and hair.
6. Honey:
Honey has antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic, and antiparasitic properties. It is also loaded with many essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, calcium, copper, iron, manganese, sulfur, zinc and phosphate.
Honey can be used in the treatment of cough, throat irritation, laryngitis, canker sores, eczema, morning sickness, and stomach ulcers. It also relieves issues like skin infections and minor wounds and burns.
In addition, this great natural source of carbohydrates can instantly boost athletes’ performance and endurance as well as reduce muscle fatigue. Raw honey is also used to treat issues related to male impotence and female infertility.
7. Onion:
Onion has outstanding anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and carminative properties. It is also a very good source of vitamins C, B1, B6 and K, biotin, chromium, calcium, folic acid and dietary fiber.
Onion is very effective in the treatment of the common cold, cough, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, hay fever, and asthma. It is also effective in combating stomach infections, nausea, and diarrhea.
The diverse anti-cancer powers present in onion play a significant role in reducing the risk of various kinds of cancer.
Also, onion contains chromium, which assists in regulating blood sugar levels in people who have Type 2 diabetes. Eating raw onion can help lower high cholesterol too. Interestingly, it is believed that applying onion juice on bald patches is beneficial in reducing hair loss.
8. Cloves:
Cloves have antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, carminative and antiflatulent properties. They are also high in various vitamins, minerals and fiber.
You can use cloves to combat a number of health conditions, such as toothache, oral ulcers, sore gums, joint inflammation, muscle aches, body pain, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritability, flatulence, and cholera.
Also, clove oil can be used as an inhalant for treating various respiratory problems such as colds, cough, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis and tuberculosis.
Note: Although cloves are generally considered safe, they may cause allergic reactions in some people.
9. Cardamom:
This aromatic spice is also known as the ‘queen of spices’. It has carminative, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic and expectorant properties. Cardamom also is a good source of minerals, such as potassium, calcium, copper, iron and magnesium.
Cardamom helps combat problems like bad breath and mouth ulcer. In addition, due to its carminative properties, it relieves indigestion, nausea, heartburn, flatulence, and stomach cramps.
This spice is also good for those suffering from asthma, bronchitis, various kinds of respiratory allergies. Also, cardamom helps increase appetite, reduce stress levels and ease muscle tension.
10. Cumin Seeds:
Cumin seeds have anti-inflammatory, carminative, antiflatulent, and antioxidant properties. The seeds are also an excellent source of dietary fiber along with various minerals, such as iron, copper, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium and zinc.
Cumin seeds are used in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, acidity, stomach pain, morning sickness, renal colic, the common cold, cough, fever, sore throat, and insomnia.
It also boosts metabolism and facilitates the absorption of nutrients in the body. Plus, it supports healthy prenatal development in pregnant women and slows the growth of breast and colon cancer cells.
To conclude, the benefits of these common kitchen ingredients will help keep you healthy as well as treat ailments. You can improve your health and live a better life by incorporating them in your everyday diet.
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