Christmas spices like cinnamon, star anise, cardamom and nutmeg can not only add a magical scent to your festive dishes, but also keep you healthy and fit during the cold season. Would you like to know more about their amazing health benefits? Here we have listed the best Christmas spices that can banish winter blues and relieve pain and discomfort.
1. Christmas spices like cardamom and saffron improve your mood
The typical Christmas spices such as anise, cinnamon and cardamom are an integral part of Christmas baking. These are also used in various drinks such as teas and smoothies.
A tea containing saffron could be the perfect remedy to ease the winter blues, as studies show that this particular spice can be effective in treating mild to moderate depression. If the thought of your Christmas to-do list is driving you crazy, try this mood-boosting tea.
How to make mood-boosting tea:
1 teaspoon green tea (the L-theanine it contains has a mood-enhancing effect)
3-4 strands of saffron (calms nerves)
3-4 cardamom pods (clears the mind)
A pinch of licorice powder (adds natural sweetness and lowers the stress hormone cortisol)
Place all ingredients and Christmas spices in a teapot. Pour boiling water over it, let it steep for 5-10 minutes, strain and enjoy.
2. Cardamom freshens your breath
Cardamom is a spice commonly used in Indian cuisine, Middle Eastern dishes, drinks, and baked goods. Green cardamom (Elettaria) and black cardamom (Amomum) come from the pods of a plant (Zingiberaceae) in the ginger family. The spice has a warm, smoky, sweet taste that some also describe as minty. Cardamom is sold in many different forms, most often in powder form. But you can also find cardamom pods, cardamom extract, and cardamom oil made from the seeds.
Cardamom not only helps with digestive problems such as heartburn, but is also effective against bad breath. The essential oils in the cardamon capsules contribute to oral hygiene thanks to their antibacterial effect. So don't worry if you find yourself unprepared for a kiss under the mistletoe. Chewing some green cardamom seeds regularly is a quick solution to freshen your breath.
2. Christmas spices like cardamom and nutmeg ensure good sleep
Don't let worry or excitement keep you awake at night. If you need to relax, have a drinkMoon Milk before bed! Cardamom and nutmeg are known for their calming properties. In Ayurveda (one of the oldest medical systems in the world), warm milk is a commonly used home remedy for insomnia. The two Christmas spices are also an excellent digestive aid, especially if you suffer from stomach problems after a heavy Christmas meal.
Ingredients for a cup of Moon Milk:
1 cup cow's milk or unsweetened nut milk (such as hemp, almond or cashew)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
2 pinches ground cardamom
1 pinch of ground ginger (optional)
1 pinch of ground nutmeg
1 pinch of freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon coconut oil or ghee
1 teaspoon honey
Preparation:
Bring the milk to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, ginger (if using) and nutmeg. Add the black pepper. Stir everything well to avoid lumps. Add coconut oil, reduce heat to low and simmer for another 5 – 10 minutes (the longer the Moon Milk is cooked, the stronger the effect). Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir in the honey (you should not boil the honey as its healing properties are lost when heated). Drink the warm Moon Milk and go straight to bed.
3. Combat blood sugar crashes with cinnamon
Chocolates, roasted almonds, Christmas cookies, stollen… The sweet temptations that surround us at Christmas are endless. But eating too much sweet can disrupt insulin levels and trigger food cravings. The blood sugar spikes also have a negative impact on cardiovascular health. Cinnamon can help keep blood sugar steady. With a simple cinnamon tea, for example, you can prevent cravings.
Cinnamon tea for those with a sweet tooth:
4 cups of water
4 high-quality organic cinnamon sticks (Ceylon cinnamon)
Unsweetened soy or almond milk
Stevia (a natural sweetener that does not affect your blood sugar)
A dash of vanilla flavor
Place 4 cups of water in a small saucepan and add the cinnamon sticks. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes, then add milk, stevia and vanilla to taste.
You can also keep the cinnamon tea in the fridge and pour yourself a cup when the sweet craving hits you.
Note: People taking diabetes medications or medications that affect blood sugar or insulin levels should not take therapeutic doses of cinnamon without first consulting their doctor. Taking cinnamon with medications can have an additive effect and cause blood sugar levels to become too low.
Cinnamon tea is rich in beneficial ingredients and is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda as a natural remedy for various ailments.
4. Cayenne pepper oil helpful for headaches
In the run-up to Christmas it is common to get tension headaches. Low blood sugar, stress, poor sleep and overwork can contribute. Try cayenne pepper - it's a wonderful pain reliever!
Cayenne contains a substance called capsaicindas. It gives the spice its “heat” and creates a burning sensation on any tissue it comes into contact with. In the right concentration, capsaicin has a therapeutic effect and triggers a biochemical reaction that is both analgesic (pain relieving) and anti-inflammatory. It is also believed that cayenne pepper may improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, or promote weight loss.
When used for pain, capsaicin is most commonly used in topical ointments or in transdermal patches. Treat an existing headache by adding a few drops of chili oil to a body cream or 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil. Then massage them into your neck to relieve tension. (Do a small patch test first to make sure your skin isn't sensitive.) Cayenne is also sometimes used to treat muscle and joint pain. You can find out more about healthy spices for arthritisread in this article.
5. A mustard bath for cold or tired feet
A traditional remedy for painful, tired feet is the mustard bath. Magnesium-rich mustard can relax tired muscles, while ginger can stimulate blood circulation. Prepare oneinvigorating foot bathby adding 6 teaspoons of mustard flour and 3 tablespoons of ginger powder to a bowl of warm water and placing your feet in it for at least 15 minutes.
6. Ginger tea helps at the beginning of a cold
Ginger is one of the most versatile Christmas spices. It is anti-inflammatory, meaning it supports your immune system, especially when you have a cold. The perfect winter drink that fights inflammation and boosts the immune system is ginger tea. It can also positively influence the function of your gallbladder and pancreas. This way Christmas dinner is digested better.
preparation: Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of freshly grated ginger root in a small pot along with 1 teaspoon each of cinnamon and dried thyme, cover with water and simmer for 5 minutes. Refine with lemon (rich in immune-supporting vitamin C) and 1 teaspoon honey (has antimicrobial properties and soothes sore throats). Add 1 teaspoon of echinacea tincture or elderberry syrup for an extra immunity boost.
7. Calm your stomach with turmeric
Traditionally, turmeric is used to strengthen digestion and relieve gas and bloating. A delicious taste of India, Lassi soothes an upset stomach and supports good gut bacteria for healthy digestion.
The recipe for pineapple turmeric lassi:
A handful of pineapple (contains bromelain, which soothes an irritated stomach)
125 g unsweetened natural yogurt (to support the intestinal flora)
½ tsp turmeric powder (for natural support of the liver)
¼ tsp cardamom powder (to relieve flatulence)
300 ml water
Put everything in a blender and blend until smooth.
8. Star anise: The star among cough remedies
Star anise (Illicium verum) comes from China and Vietnam. The beautiful star-shaped spice comes from a tree that belongs to the magnolia family. Star anise is harvested when unripe and dried in the sun to develop its warm flavor, often described as a blend of licorice, clove and fennel seeds. Anise has a very intense taste. You'll either love it or hate it.
It is important to note that Chinese star anise, which is used in food, is different from Japanese star anise, which is poisonous.
Many people use star anise for its supposed health benefits. In fact, many alternative practitioners promote the medicinal use of the star-shaped seed. Star anise has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years.
An overview of herbal treatments available in“Journal of Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine”published explains that star anise contains an ingredient called anethole, which gives this spice its distinctive taste. Anethole is used in Chinese medicine to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. The study also notes that the shikimic acid in star anise is a component of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) – a widely used pharmaceutical treatment for the flu.
Anise can be used in many ways, as a tea, ointment or in inhalations. To make anise tea, brew water with a cinnamon stick and 2 to 4 whole star anise stars and let the tea steep, covered, for about 5-10 minutes. You should remove the star anise and cinnamon stick before drinking.
Anise tea can also have an expectorant effect, which is why it is also used for severe dry coughs and bronchitis. It also works reliably against flatulence, heartburn and stomach and intestinal cramps.
Anise inhalation can also have a clearing effect on the respiratory tract if you have a stuffy nose or sinus infection. Add 1 teaspoon of anise seeds to 500 ml of boiling water and add 1 teaspoon of sea salt. The inhalation should last 5 to 10 minutes and should be done 3 to 5 times a day.
