2020, an year where our major concern is Health and only Health. Good health is what everyone have been taking care of and doing everything possible to maintain good health and stay free from diseases and disorders. With the Pandemic hitting the world so vigorously health is something that is making us stay back homes in order to be protected from catching infection of the powerful Corona Virus.
During the winters we are more prone to catch common cold and cough and at times fever too because of sudden change of weather or chilly winters. As we all know the present scenario is something where we are not able to identify whether it’s a common flu or Covid-19, so its better to take all the preventive measures to catch any common flu. We have been doing everything possible to be healthy throughout from having kadha to Vitamin C tablets from Vitamin D in the form of sunshine to Vitamin K we have been including fruits and vegetables to boost our immunity. But only vegetables, fruits and sunshine won’t help us fight back germs or boost our immunity, it’s important to include spices as well, although we have been in taking spices like cinnamon, black pepper in our kadha but this isn’t sufficient, we can include more spices for better results.
Many of us have this notion in our heads that spices tend to raise blood pressure or other problems but this isn’t the real story. Spices are extremely important to include in our diets because they possess anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties.
Few such spices are enlisted that you must include in your diet during winters:
- Cloves :- The eugenol oil present in cloves are used to treat toothache. Cloves are also used in cooking like fried rice and various curries. Cloves are enriched with Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Cloves boost our immunity, helps in good digestion, kill bacteria. Drinking clove water helps in reducing inflammation and it increases the metabolism and hence a good option for those who are thinking to lose their weight. A clove, if placed beneath your pillow would help you get a good sleep as it has properties to calm our nervous system.
- Fenugreek – Also known as Methi(a household name). Methi is never preferred during normal days because it has properties that boosts warmth so it proves to be a great spice to opt during winters. It would keep you warm throughout the day. It has a good nutritional index including iron and magnesium. For new mothers it helps in increasing milk production. It has powerful antiviral properties that can help us get rid of sore throat and sniffles.
- Cardamom – Cardamom is also known as Elaichi, it’s packed with so many properties like digestive properties, antioxidants, immunity booster, etc. It increases the production of bile juice in stomach which is responsible for digestion. It has Vitamin C which is responsible for immunity and hence helps us fight common cold. You can make Cardamom tea and have it once daily.
- Turmeric C- The spice that you will find in every Indian recipe. Turmeric is something we all in take through our food but we actually should know that turmeric doesn’t only give color to your food but it also has properties like anti fungal, anti bacterial, anti inflammatory and anti oxidant. Turmeric helps in healing, boosting immunity, relieves from arthritic pain and as we all must have experienced, the pain tends aggravate more during winters, hence, including turmeric in diet can be very beneficial for those who suffer from any form of pain.
- Cinnamon – Cinnamon also known as Dalchini used in making of vegetables has a lot of health related properties, from preventing common flu to avoiding arthritic pain, it also reduces cholesterol. Doctors have also found that it reduces blood sugar levels by decreasing insulin resistance. Using Cinnamon while preparing tea or in Smoothies would help you intake Cinnamon with a good taste.
- Star anise- The star like thing in the spice packet that you get is very important, more than you can imagine. The Star anise is extremely helpful in preventing cold and cough as it has compounds present in it like thymol, terpineol and anethole. It reduces nausea along with good digestion and prevent diabetes. It has antioxidants, antifungal, antibacterial properties and it also carries Vitamin A which is good for boosting immunity and also plays a major role in improving eye-sight.
- Saffron – Saffron has magical health related properties, it carries carotene crocin that protects one against Cancer, it also has properties which protects us from cold. It is also good in memory retention and help in learning things faster.
- Ginger – Often used in tea, Ginger is something you can turn to even while having bad digestion. It has some anti inflammatory properties which can help us relieve from cough and also nausea and pain. Studies have also found out that it relaxes membranes in airways which helps us from cough and cold. It clears mucus because it is a decongestant, and has antihistamine, antiviral and antibacterial properties. A small amount of ginger in dal or tea could help you a lot.
Written By – Rituja Roy
Edited By – Priyanka Sukhwani