Spices can collectively help your skin look younger and softer. Many spices contain antioxidants which protect your skin from sun dent and help you overcome aging. Since they are rich in antioxidants they act as anti-aging agents .They firm up your skin by keeping it moisturised. They also remove some toxins. In fact, many herbs and spices rank even higher in antioxidant activity than fruits and vegetables, some spices such as cloves, turmeric, and cinnamon are having as much as 10 to 50 times more antioxidants compared to the blueberry.
The benefits of the antioxidants in these spices include protection against most serious degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s, and overall aging.(i)
Herbs and Spices Health Benefits
- Fat Burning and Boost Metabolism – Mostly herbs and spices are thermogenic, which means they naturally help to increase metabolism, partly because they have more nutrient.
- Stabilize Blood Sugar – Some spices are also good at regulating blood sugar and controlling insulin–even as good as some diabetic drugs! When your blood sugar is well controlled, you are more likely to burn fat and not store calories as excess weight.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties –Studies show that herbs and spices can actually work as well or better than some medications at calming inflammation without the negative side effects of isolated drugs.
- Anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal – Herbs and spices contain properties that effectively kill dangerous pathogens like viruses, bacteria and stubborn fungi. The natural properties in these foods work against many microbes that are resistant to conventional medications.(ii)
7 Most Powerful anti-aging herbs and spices
Turmeric
Turmeric has yellow-orange pigment, curcumin, is the main active ingredient in the spice. Amazingly, curcumin’s anti-inflammatory benefits are comparable to drugs like hydrocortisone and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines like Advil and Motrin. But, unlike the drugs, curcumin is not toxic at all, it does not have the dangerous side effects.
Curcumin is more effective at slowing down the development of Alzheimer’s disease than many medications, because it decreases inflammation and oxidation in the brain. This spice also speeds up the recovery time from strokes as well.
Turmeric and its active ingredient, curcumin, are highly effective against diseases like irritable bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s, and arthritis. Turmeric also improves liver function, lowers homocysteine and prevents heart disease. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory property, it can help reduce joint pain and aid in healing joint problems over time.
Paprika
Paprika is one of the best spices to slow down ageing. It is rich in anti-oxidants like vitamin A and C. It absorbs the free radicals which cause damage to the collagen of the skin and helps in maintaining firmness. Applying of paprika on the skin makes you feel relaxed and fresh.
Spices are used in detox drinks and in regular diet. Thus consuming them orally or applying them on skin gives you a natural benefit.(iii)
Cinnamon
The superfood provided those cultures with an abundance of nutrients, and was also used for medicinal purposes, treating inflammation, infections, poisonous bites, and respiratory infections. It makes sense—two teaspoons of ground cinnamon provides you with 45.5% of your daily requirement of manganese, 11% of fiber DV, and 5.2% of your calcium. The superfood is also a beneficial source of iron, containing 8.3 mg per 100 g.
Cinnamon also has anti-inflammatory properties, such as relieves pain and stiffness in muscles and joints, including arthritis, reduces inflammation in blood vessels that leads to atherosclerosis and heart disease, as well as anti-fungal and antibacterial.
Cumin
Cumin is another spice that is especially high in antioxidants, but cumin is known for being especially good for digestion. It stimulates the gallbladder and pancreas to secrete enzymes and bile that break down food into usable nutrients your body can use.
Due to the high antioxidant content, Cumin can help fight inflammation throughout the body, and thereby helps in slowing down the aging process.
Cumin also helps detoxify the body, and is highly effective for respiratory disorders like asthma and bronchitis.
Ginger
ginger as an effective, low-cost treatment for motion sickness and nausea, and I’m sure many of you have used it for this purpose. I’ve also reported at length on its effectiveness in preventing migraine headaches, healing burns, and alleviating the pain and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis.
A great everyday tea is a freshly made ginger tea. Simply steep several slice of ginger root in warm water with the juice of half a lemon to help with bloating, digestion, and inflammation. This tea is also an everyday detox and you will notice after several weeks an improvement in the clarity of your skin. It may also be effective in weight loss.
Ginger is also a wonderful food to cook with, giving your dishes a spicy flavor lessening the needs to use salt.(iv)
Fenugreek
Fenugreek is a cooling and soothing agent. You can soak them over night and can drink the water in the morning which may help you exhaust your body heat. Applying this water on the skin and over the eyes gives you a great cooling effect and a brighter, shiny look. It can be used as an eye drop which will cleanse your eyes.
Oregano
Oregano is herb that contains oil that has anti-bacterial , anti-fungal and anti-viral agent, rosmarinic acid (also found in rosemary) properties. Oregano oil has been used to treat a wide range of conditions from bacterial and viral infections, to parasites and stubborn fungal infections. Although oil of oregano is most often used for medicinal purposes, the herb itself can provide many of the same benefits when consumed regularly.
Oregano also relieves inflammation, internal or external, and can offer relief from allergies, aches and pain, without side effects. Oregano is very high in antioxidants, it helps fight radicals and quelling inflammation.(v)
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Specialities in Family health; autoimmune diseases; mental health; diabetes, cancer; fitness and nutrition.
