Spice Up Your Life

One of the easiest ways to improve the taste of a healthy meal is with spices and mine just happens to be ginger.

Ginger is just so good AND good for you.  I use it on a regular basis.  I currently have it in fresh root form, liquid tincture, chewable candies, tea and powder form.  You may also find it beneficial to visit your local juice bar for what’s called a ‘ginger shot’.

While ginger is also available in pill form, I find that using the actual root in my cooking is the best.  I also like to enjoy ginger tea after a big meal or to get the warming benefits of this spicy herb/root.

Natural Healing Spice/Root

Ginger personally means more to me than just improving a recipe.  It helps with occasional nausea and as a natural pain reliever.

I always keep ginger on hand because it contains natural occurring enzymes which help with digestion.  It is also a natural anti-inflammatory so I use more when I have menstrual cramps, headache or sports pain.  Over the counter pain relievers make me physically ill so I use ginger instead.

More recent studies suggest that ginger also helps with:

– Metabolism

– Arthritis Pain

– Reducing Cancer Risk

– Circulation

Ancient Indian Anti-Inflammatory

Another great spice that has become increasingly popular in America while being a staple in India for centuries is turmeric which many people now refer to as curcumin.  Curcumin is the active chemical compound in turmeric root.

Many supplement companies sell curcumin or whole turmeric pills because they’ve researched the abundant health properties in this sacred spice.

Like ginger, turmeric acts as a natural anti-inflammatory and therefore is also used for pain management.

I’m fortunate to live in Sarasota which has one of the best Juice bars I’ve ever been to, Crop Juice, where I can pick up their famous Anti-Inflammatory shot which has both ginger and turmeric cold-pressed juice.  Google juice bars in your area to enjoy this spicy, healing treat.  Just like ginger root, you may also purchase turmeric or curcumin in pill form.

Other health benefits of turmeric:

– Brain  &  Mood Health

– Cancer Prevention

– Reduces Insulin Resistance

– Reduces Fats In The Bloodstream (Cholesterol Health)

Cholesterol & Metabolism

While this new research on turmeric regarding cholesterol health is also something new that I’ve learned, I would also really like to tell you about Guggulu.

Guggulu, Guggulipid or simply Guggul comes from the sap or resin of a mukul myrrh tree found in India.

In the 90’s, my mother’s doctor suggested that she may have to consider taking a prescription drug to help with her cholesterol levels, which she replied, “Let me talk to my daughter about it first because she’s really knowledgable about natural supplements and she might have a good idea.”

So, of course, she did and I immediately had her take 750 mg of Guggulipid per day.

My mother had her cholesterol level checked again 6 months later and her doctor literally wrote a smiley face on her test.  Not only did her LDL go down but her HDL went up!  Her doctor said, “Whatever it is you’re doing, keep doing it.”

Results will vary from person to person especially considering one’s diet but I am proud to say that my mother’s cholesterol is still at a healthy normal range.

Other known benefits of Guggul are:

– Joint Lubricator

– Healthy Weight Management

– Blood Purifier  &  Circulation

– Detoxification

– Skin Health (Acne)

– Respiratory Health

Also, please take with caution by listening to your body.  There are many other natural supplements that may significantly help with cholesterol.  Guggul can sometimes cause diarrhea so it may not be the right supplement for you.

I have found for myself when I was younger that taking even a small dose of Guggul (around 500 mg or less per day) significantly helped with my acne issues.  I believe this is because it is a blood purifier and detoxifier.

Skin Remedy

Another great natural cure for acne within Ayurvedic medicine is Neem oil.  Neem oil is a natural skin remedy for any type of skin inflammation including acne, eczema and even yeast infections.

The other great thing is that it can be used for organic farming.  It is well known for repelling certain bugs including mealy bug, aphids, Japanese beetle, lady bugs, armyworm, cabbage worm and many others.

Neem oil can be purchased in different forms including pills, liquid tincture, liquid soap or shampoos and in many Ayurvedic bar soaps.

Path Toward Healthy Living

While I close here with discussing some of my favorite Ayurvedic remedies for healing (please see Ayurveda Part 1  for more) there are many more that are worth researching.  Hopefully we will continue to see and use these age old natural foods and supplements as part of our path toward healthy living.  Our bodies, our mind and our spirits deserve the best.  YOU ARE WORTH IT!

 

Until then, be well!

Cynthia Moon

Next Topic:  Organic Farming