Spices and aromatic plants have a history. For hundreds of years mankind has benefited from them, whether for cooking and seasoning, for curing some illnesses and in magical or religious rituals.
Although knowledge of their uses has been lost, today many people interested in nature are regaining this ancient knowledge and even some of these spices or herbs have scientific endorsement of their benefits.
Herbs and spices can be consumed in seeds, powders, capsules, dried, in infusions and in thousands of other forms.
Nature is wise, and season after season offers us seasonal plants with properties according to our body’s needs. We will see.
In the spring
This season is ideal for purifying after heavy winter meals. Nature offers us bitter plants like dandelion, nettle, bear garlic, Indian sarsaparilla and chervil (perijil) to detoxify us. All these plants have bitter active ingredients that clean the blood and promote digestion. Dandelion stimulates the liver and protects it from toxic agents. It also increases urine production, which is interesting when you suffer from fluid retention. It is also very rich in iron, so it is recommended in case of anemia.
In the summer
It’s a season when we must stay fresh and hydrated. We need plants with a refreshing effect, such as mint, pomegranate, shatavari (Indian asparagus) or aloe. To calm the internal fire and menopausal sweats, the roots of Indian asparagus also known as Shatavari (asparagus racemosus) which, according to Ayurvedic medicine, is the best rejuvenator for women. When mixed with ghee, raw sugar, long pepper, honey and milk, it further enhances its rejuvenating properties. In addition, this root has moisturizing and thirst quenching properties. Balances estrogen levels, increases fertility and nourishes eggs.
The fall
When it starts to cool off little by little and the days get shorter, the berries give us joy and we want to heat up spices again. The roots now show their full potential.
For example, the galanga that Hildegard and Bingen already recommended for cardiac pathologies of nervous origin. The rhizome with its spicy-bitter and aromatic flavor not only strengthens digestion but also burns digestive toxins. Therefore, it is indicated to reduce body weight. It also promotes sweating, is a nerve and brain tonic, strengthens the stomach and slows down inflammation.
Ginger, saffron, garlic, cumin and wild celery seeds are also indicated to give a new touch to dishes or to help in the case of gastrointestinal illnesses this season, which in Ayurvedic cuisine is called ajwain. It is a powerful spice that stimulates digestion, kidney function and provides energy for the nerves.
Black cumin, in turn, is ideal for colds, bronchitis, asthma, coughs, arthritis and digestive disorders. Black cumin oil is used in cases of atypical dermatitis and psoriasis, both internally and externally. In indoor applications, one to three teaspoons of the oil is taken daily. In case of digestive disturbances, take a teaspoon of the seeds after eating and chew well. In the case of allergic asthma or mucus, an infusion cup improves the changes. To make the infusion, a teaspoon of black cumin is infused into a cup of boiling water for 5-8 minutes. They drink two cups a day.
In the winter
We want heat and stronger meals, we like to heat it up with creams that contain, for example, Ceylon cinnamon, vanilla, juniper berries, cloves, star anise, mugwort, nutmeg and black pepper.
Let’s take a closer look at juniper. Berries have a dry, bitter taste with heating properties. Just what we need in the colder months. Ground berries help with diabetes mellitus, improve inflammation of the urinary tract, prevent irritating cough in case of bronchitis and asthma, and help with heartburn, fullness and diarrhea. The smoke from dried fruits is disinfectant and offers an incomparable aroma to rooms when combined with white sage.
Mugwort is also a plant used to vaporize. It is used in cases of arthritis, sciatica, mental fatigue, infertility and menstrual pain and headaches.
Those who are attacked by melancholy in winter can make use of hops, St. John’s wort, passion flower and lemon balm. They are effective plants both for regaining joy and for relaxing sleep.
If we want to recover the erotic spark, we can resort to peppers, cardamom, rose leaves and ashwagandha. This word comes to mean “horse smell”, as it is a plant that offers the vitality and sexual energy of a horse. Its root resembles ginseng. In case of lack of sleep or nervous fatigue, this remedy works real miracles, as it promotes deep sleep. To achieve general regeneration, an ashwaganda decoction can be mixed with rice milk, long pepper and honey.