Using Kitchen Spices as Medicine

Elettaria cardamomum - Kohlers Medizinal-Planzen-300

By Amanda Lewis, L.Ac.

I’m always thrilled when I can recommend herbs that my patients probably already have in their own kitchens! Culinary herbs have long been used in every herbal medicine tradition, both East and West. Their unique aromatic qualities make them excellent choices for use in cooking, and these same striking flavors are one of the main reasons they have such high medicinal value.

The following popular and flavorful spices will improve overall well-being, as well as address specific ailments. Incorporate them into your cooking and your health will benefit!

Cardamom: sweet, spicy, light, dry

  • Improves weak digestion, gas, bloating, and intestinal pain.
  • Counteracts nausea, vomiting, hiccups, and burping.
  • Addresses coughs with mucus and asthma with wheezing.
  • Relieves sore throats.
  • Freshens the breath.
  • Dosage: 250mg-6g/day
  • Contraindicated in heat conditions, such as ulcers.

Cinnamon: sweet, warm, dry, light,
penetrating

  • Increases the appetite. Great for slow digestion due to cold accumulation. Can be useful for diarrhea characterized by loose, watery stools with undigested food.
  • Encourages sweating in fevers.
  • Improves blood circulation to the hands and feet (i.e., Raynaud’s syndrome) and benefits cold-type joint inflammation.
  • Dosage: 1-9g/day
  • Contraindicated in high-heat conditions and if there is bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Use with caution in pregnancy because of its stimulating properties.

Coriander: spicy, bitter, sweet, warming (seeds)/cooling (leaves), light

  • Promotes digestion and can be used safely when there is inflammation in the GI tract. Great for gas and bloating.
  • Clears mucus from the lungs.
  • Seeds alleviate fever by draining heat through the urinary system and sweating through the skin.
  • Dosage: 1-30g/day
  • No known contraindications.

Fennel: sweet, spicy, bitter, slightly heating, light, dry

  • Counteracts gas, bloating, nausea, and abdominal discomfort.
  • Relieves all types of muscle spasms, especially in the digestive system, lungs, and uterus. Specific for painful inguinal hernias.
  • Clears phlegm in the lungs.
  • Increases the flow of milk in nursing mothers.
  • Dosage: 1-9g/day
  • No known contraindications.

Ginger: spicy, sweet, heating (fresh ginger is warm and dry ginger is hot)

  • Warms the body by increasing circulation. Fresh ginger is better for warming the hands and feet, while dry ginger is more effective for warming the interior or central aspect of the body.
  • Promotes sweating for colds and flus.
  • Dry ginger is very useful in reducing toxicity and inflammation in the joints.
  • Addresses nausea of any kind (morning sickness, sea sickness, etc.).
  • Relieves stomach pain and menstrual cramps (use fresh, hot ginger tea).
  • Acts specifically against E. coli and Shigella bacteria in the digestive system.
  • Dosage: 2-6g/day
  • Contraindicated for conditions with high heat, such as heartburn, ulcers, hypertension, certain skin diseases, and sweating. Do not use more than 2g/day during pregnancy.

Turmeric: spicy, bitter, astringent, heating, dry, light

  • Well-known for reducing inflammation and pain in all types of arthritis. Also strengthens the joints and tendons.
  • Treats intestinal infections by reducing bacteria and toxicity. May prevent bowel cancer.
  • Increases blood flow through the liver and stimulates bile production.
  • Purifies the blood for more-beautiful skin.
  • Reduces accumulations in the lower abdomen, including fibroids, cysts, and endometriosis.
  • Promotes the flow of menses.
  • Increases blood flow and reduces cholesterol to improve function of the heart. Its anti-platelet activity helps prevent blood coagulation.
  • Acts as an excellent antibiotic in response to fevers and sore throats.
  • Can be used externally as a compress to reduce pain, bruising, sprains. (Be careful — it will stain!)
  • Dosage: 1-10g/day
  • Contraindicated in acute jaundice and hepatitis. Use with caution during pregnancy. Not to be used in combination with blood-thinning medications.

Combinations:

  • Ginger, cinnamon, and cardamom for sluggish digestion
  • Coriander and fresh ginger for fever
  • Turmeric, ginger, and licorice for sore throats
  • Licorice and coriander for coughs
  • Ginger and turmeric for arthritis
  • Fennel, cumin, and peppermint for digestive distress
  • Ginger and cinnamon to induce a sweat
  • Turmeric and ginger for menstrual cramps

Amanda is a local acupuncturist and herbalist. Join her in The Classrooms @ GreenStar on Thursday, Jan. 7 from 7 to 8:30 pm to learn more about using kitchen spices as medicine. See page 10 for more details and registration information. Amanda sees patients at the Padma Center for Natural Therapies in Ithaca, and also has clinics in Binghamton and Oneonta NY. For more information, visit www.alewisacupuncture.com.