Kitchen Ingredients that Work like Medicines

prerna bajaj 17-Jun-2016 Image Source

“Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food”, Hippocrates said many years ago. Mother Nature has given us several ingredients commonly found in our Indian kitchens and used in daily cooking which improve our immune system. The medicinal properties of these ingredients can be used to treat and most importantly prevent ailments without having to rush to the general physician and pharmacies.

From an endless list, we are going to cover 5 popular ingredients for their impressive health benefits and medicinal properties. Always make use of fresh ingredients for maximum effectiveness and be sure to know your allergies before you try any remedies.

â€œLet food be your medicine and medicine be your foodâ€.

1. Turmeric

Turmeric is a popular ingredient extensively used in Indian Kitchen with an array of benefits due to its inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It can use used to heal cuts, wounds, reduce joint paints and inflammation. Tip: Add turmeric to hot milk and consume to get relief from body pain.

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2. Ginger

Another common kitchen ingredient, ginger has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antifungal, antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral properties and is used in treating indigestion, heartburn, nausea, motion sickness and menstrual cramps. Tip: Mix ginger and honey to create a concoction that is useful in combating cough and cold due to seasonal change.

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3. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is valued for its antioxidant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties and is used to treat common cold, digestive issues like flatulence, heartburn and painful menstruation. It is also found that regular consumption of cinnamon helps in controlling blood sugar levels of people with type 2 diabetes. Tip: Add a pinch of powdered cinnamon to your tea to reduce the risk of having cough, cold and flu due to seasonal change.

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4. Lemon

Lemon is a super food with natural antioxidant and amazing immune boosting properties. It is used for treating multitude of ailments such as headaches, throat infections, dental problems, indigestion, constipation, arthritis, rheumatism. It aids in weight loss, supports the health of the urinary tract and prevents kidney stones. For effective results you need to add lemon to your regular diet. Tip: Consume lemon with warm water every morning to boost your energy for when we wake up first thing in the morning our tissues are dehydrated and in desperate need of fluid to push out toxins.

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5. Garlic

Garlic has been long hailed as super food for its extraordinary medicinal properties. It is stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral and antiseptic in nature. Crushed or chewed garlic contains a compound called allicin the properties of which are similar to penicillin. Garlic is excellent for common cold, cough, sore throat, sinus problems, ear infection, indigestion, stomach ache and tooth ache. It boosts cardiac health and lowers bad cholesterol levels and keeps blood pressure in check. Tip: Effect of garlic on cold and flu comes from Allicin obtained from crushed, raw garlic and is destroyed by over cooking. If you have Earache, put two or three drops of warm garlic oil in the ears.