Species and condiments are one of the most important forms of natural food. This article describes the medicinal virtues of different species and condiments, and their usefulness in the treatment of various common ailments. This information can serve as a guide to the readers to solve their common health problems through the use of specific species and condiments. It would, however be advisable to consult a doctor or an expert in case of serious problems.
Medicinal virtues:
The aroma and therapeutic properties of cardamom are due to its volatile oil. Tinctures of cardamom are also made. They are used chiefly in medicines for windiness and for strengthening the stomach. It is used as an adjunct to carminative drugs.
Uses
In India it is used for flavouring curries cakes, gulab jamun, bread and for other culinary purposes.
2. ONION - Dynamite of Natural Foods
Medicinal virtues
Onion is one of civilizations oldest medicines. Onions should be taken with meals, preferably raw, as fried or cooked onions are comparatively difficult to digest. For therapeutic purposes, it is advisable to use onion juice instead of the whole onion as it is an all-round medicine.
An exceptionally strong antioxidant, onion is full of numerous anticancer compounds. It has been specifically linked to inhibit human stomach cancer. It thins the blood, lowers cholesterol, raises good-type HDL cholesterol, wards of blood clots, and fights asthma, chronic bronchitis, hay fever, diabetes, atherosclerosis and infections.
Uses
They are used in soups and sauces and for seasoning many foods. They may also be eaten fried. Onion oil, produced by steam distillation, is used to a limited extent for flavoring foods.
Precautions
Excessive use of onions should, however, be avoided as it may promote gas formation and aggravate heartburn. Recent experiments have also found that abundant use onions have a tendency to reduce the number of red cells and o lower the hemoglobin.
3.PEPPER
Pepper is one of the oldest and most popular species. It is known as 'king of species'. The pepper plant is a stout, evergreen creeper with smooth surface, much swollen at the nodes.
Medicinal virtues:
Black pepper is a stimulant, pungent, aromatic, digestive and nervine tonic. The pungency of pepper is due to the resin chavacine, which is most abundant in the mesocarp. Black pepper is useful in relieving flatulence.