The key to a healthy life is to have a strong stomach
One fact that has been proven beyond doubt by research in this century – a fact Ayurveda always knew — is that our health begins and ends in our gut. If the stomach is sorted, every disease can be kept away, and a weak gut is a magnet for all the diseases of our time.
It is important thus to keep our gut healthy, the good bacteria up and kicking, and to consciously and regularly tone down the bad bacteria that colonises our gut due to pollution, junk food and wrong lifestyle choices that we make on an every day basis.
One foolproof way is to zero in on gut-enhancing spices.
So which ones help?
Well, multiple spices help in a big way. Try to have all of them in rotation.
Nutmeg or jaiphal
Nutmeg stimulates the digestive process by promoting peristaltic motion in the smooth muscles of the intestine, besides inducing the secretion of various gastric and intestinal juices that ease the digestive process. In addition, two of its components — myristicin and macelignan — are great for boosting our cognitive abilities.
This delicate, slightly sweet spice also relieves pain, counters indigestion, strengthens cognitive functions, detoxifies the body, boosts skin health, increases immune system functions, and improves blood circulation.
Add a pinch of nutmeg to a cup of warm milk and have it before going to sleep, or mix one pinch of jaiphal powder with one spoon of honey and savour it.
Mace or javitri
Mace helps keep our digestive system healthy, helps boosts blood circulation (which is great news for our skin and hair), our appetite and memory and helps relieve mental exhaustion as well.
It is rich in copper and iron, which are essential for the formation of new cells. So essentially, mace can help bust anaemia, fatigue and muscular weakness. It’s your perfect get-energy spice.
Clove or laung
Clove is the perfect antidote for the toxic times we live in. It contains high amounts of antioxidants, which are ideal for protecting us from the effects of the free radicals responsible for most modern-day lifestyle diseases. This spice also helps improve our liver’s health and efficiency by detoxifying our body and helps tame our lipid profile. It has also shown anti-cancer properties.
It helps keep diabetes at bay as it imitates insulin in certain ways, helps control blood sugar levels, and is a known antidote for the side-effects of pollution on our respiratory tract.
Just put one clove into your mouth and keep sucking on its goodness slowly.
Cardamom or elaichi
Cardamom is great for our heart, and helps keep our blood pressure, lipid profile and cholesterol levels in check. It is an anti-anxiety spice and helps ease digestion too. Plus it is good for relieving muscle and joint pains and is an effective remedy for asthma and other respiratory disorders.
Make it a habit to drink elaichi chai every day.
Saffron or kesar
Saffron contains a dark orange, water-soluble carotene called crocin, which is anti-cancer and is useful in preventing and treating memory loss and inflammation. Saffron is a stimulant tonic and very effective for treating cold and fever. Its vitamin C content helps boost immunity and the iron in it helps keep fatigue away.
Have it with milk as together they are a potent bone strengthener for saffron optimises the absorption of calcium from milk, helps boost bone mineral density and prevents osteoporosis.
Basil or tulsi
Basil is revered and for good reason. It is an elixir that helps detoxify the liver, is a super source of iron, has anti-anxiety properties, aids digestion and provides relief from respiratory disorders.
It gives miraculous relief in congestion due to the presence of components like Camphene, Eugenol and Cineole in its essential oils. Chew a few leaves every morning.