Category: Spices

Spices

Health benefits of Anise

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Anise (scientific name Pimpinella anisum) or aniseed, is known for its flavour, which resembles liquorice, fennel. Anise, like fennel, contains anethole, a phytoestrogen. Anethole, is the principal component of anise oil. The oil of anise is also used in toothpaste, chewing gum, cough syrups, and soap, among other products. Whole seeds of Anise are used in cooking. Anise is also available in tea, while also marketed as Anise extract.

The health benefits and medicinal use of Anise can be attributed to its properties like carminative, anti septic, anti spasmodic, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, sedative and stimulant. Health benefits and medicinal uses of Anise is summarized below:

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Spices

Health benefits and medicinal properties of Lemongrass

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[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="400"]Lemongrass Lemongrass – health benefits[/caption]

Health benefits of Lemongrass include its ability to cure fever, headache, digestive tract disorders, cough, cold, convulsions, high blood pressure. Some health benefits of lemongrass can be attributed to its anti bacterial, anti fungal, detoxifying, anti oxidant, stimulant, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory properties. Apart from these health benefits, it has wide culinary use and use in cosmetics and other aromatherapy products.

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Spices

Health benefits of Sumac

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Health Benefits of Sumac(French: Sumac German: Sumach Italian: Sommacco Spanish: Zumaque Arabic: Sammak):

Scientific Name: Rhus Coriaria

Sumac is native to North America, Iran and Turkey. There is also a poisonous variety of Sumac known commonly as ‘Poison Ivy’. Sumac is used as a substitute for lemon because of its sourness and astringency. Sumac also is used as a substitute for Vinegar.

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Spices

Health benefits of Vanilla

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Vanilla

Scientific Name: Vanilla Fragrans or Vanilla Planifolia

Vanilla follows saffron and cardamom as the most expensive spice. Vanilla is native to Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar and Mexico. Vanilla is one of the most popular flavoring agents for chefs and amateur cooks alike. In fact in the older days Vanilla’s use was only restricted for the royalty because of the pricey nature.

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Spices

Health benefits of Zedoary

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Zedoary (Scientific name: Curcuma Zedoria) is an ancient spice and a close relative of ginger. It is a native of India, China, Nepal and Indonesia. Zeodary was introduced in the west as early as 6th Century by the Arabs. Today, however it is very rare in the West having been replaced by Ginger. Dried Zedoary is ground in a pestle and mortar. The dried rhizomes of Zeodary plant are used as a condiment and in perfumes, medicines and cosmetics. The Zerumbet has been erroneously confused with the round Zedoary.

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Spices

Health benefits of Asafoetida

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Asofoetida (scientific name Ferula asafoetida) is also known as Asafetida, Assafetida, Assafoetida, Devil’s Dung, Devil’s Durt, Food of the Gods (Persian), Laser (Roman), Stinking Gum, Hing (Hindi). The name is combination of Persian aza (meaning resin) and Latina foetidus (meaning stinking). Asofoetida has been used as a spice in ancient Rome. Although it is not native to India, Asofoetida is widely used in Indian medicines and cookery for ages.

The spice, Asofoetida is hard resinous gum, from sap of roots and stem. The resin is powdered and used. Resin is composed of coumarin. Asofoetida has pungent smell like sulphur, which dissipates on cooking. It adds onion like pleasant flavour to food. Minute quantities of asafoetida is added is added directly to cooking oil or cooking liquid.

Health benefits of Asafoetida can be attributed to its medicinal properties like carminative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and others. Health benefits of Asafoetida are summarized below:

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