Ginger, cloves, cinnamon... warming spices for cooler days

The herbs used in our kitchen, as spices or as natural supplements for coffee and tea, include substances that enhance digestion and stimulate the body’s cells to produce more energy; which is especially important for those on a diet to avoid the yo-yo effect.

There are many tasty and healthy natural spices that, when added to tea, coffee or cocoa, enhance their flavor and, what’s more, will help to warm us up. Here are some spices and supplements which can be used in their unusual secondary role to fight off bacteria and colds.

 

Ginger positively influences both digestion and blood circulation and also has unusual warming properties. It’s ideal with teas (instead of lemon), coffee or a glass of warm red wine. We can also add it to meat dishes, fish and desserts. It’s also rich in anti-inflammatory substances.

Cloves Cloves are the dried buds of the evergreen giroflier tree, which only grow in tropical seaside climates, e.g. Malaysia, Indonesia and Tanzania. The clove came to Europe via the Mediterranean cuisine. When added to tea or coffee, they will arouse and stir up our senses; They are perfect with beetroot soup, as well as in meat dishes (e.g. roast ham). They have antiseptic and analgesic properties which can help you to quickly regain strength after a cold or flu.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon, that’s used in powdered form, is actually a fragrant tree bark from Ceylon: the lighter the bark, the better the quality. Traditionally it’s been used in folk medicine as a remedy for colds and general weaknesses of the body. The aroma alone is enough to warm up the body. You can add it to tea, warm wine, or beer, fruit drinks, or pork with plums, apple sauce, and of course to baked foods; although it loses its healing power when cooked this way.

 

Honey can enhance children’s mental development and it raises the body’s resistance for adults. You must remember not to add it to hot beverages, since it then loses most of its properties. The maximum temperature possible is around 60 degrees Celsius.

Cardamom

Cardamom’s characterised by an intensive spicy aroma. It’s great with milk, coffee, chocolate, cheeses and desserts. But It’s also valued for its curative properties: e.g. curing a cold, as it has antiviral properties and can strengthen the body. It soothes coughs and speeds up the healing process when treating bronchitis. Additionally, it helps with indigestion, refreshes breath and prevents the spread of viruses and also strengthens the body.

Orange peel
The fragrance of orange peel relaxes the body and can help us to fall asleep more easily on cold evenings. It tastes great in tea or warm wine. It’s also good in cakes, gingerbread and…spaghetti Bolognese. The aroma of orange peel in the house soothes a headache. The flavonoids in orange peel have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

 

But it can also be used in hot chocolate. Chilli peppers have been used for infections of the sinuses, as a soothing remedy for congestions of the mucosal membrane and for cleansing the air passages.

Vanilla

The fragrance of vanilla is the finest of all aromas. The noblest smell is in fresh vanilla pulp extracted from the pod. The pod needs to be cut lengthwise and then the pulp can be extracted. It’s perfect in coffee, tea (with vanilla sugar), cheeses, pancakes and in cakes. It is used as a liquor or syrup for fevers or digestive problems.

Raspberry juice

This works very well in teas or puddings. It is one of the most effective and healthiest remedies for colds. Raspberry oils have warming properties and the salicylic acid in them stimulates perspiration.