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Add a Little Spice to Your Life!! Kitchen Spices for Health Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH (AHG)
Add a Little Spice to Your Life!!
Kitchen Spices for Health Mimi Hernandez, MS, RH (AHG)
Kitchen Spices for Health
A spice is technically a plant product that has aromatic and Pungent properties and is used to season and flavor foods! They can be:
Fruits: Cayenne
Barks: Cinnamon
Seeds: Nutmeg
Roots: Ginger
Aromatics Medicinal Actions:
Antiseptic
They are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal because they easily penetrate the membranes of pathogens.
Once inside they interfere with cellular machinery
They also stimulate white blood cell production
Make good inhalants for sinus infections
Xu J, Zhou F, Ji BP, Pei RS, Xu N. The antibacterial mechanism of carvacrol and thymol against Escherichia coli. Lett Appl Microbiol. 2008 Sep;47(3):174-9.
Aromatics Medicinal Actions:
Spasmolytic
Antispasmodic effects because they easily reach the nerves (lipophilic)
Carminatives: relieve gassiness
Stomach relaxation (Cinnamon)
Bowel Relaxing- (Ginger)
Bronchial relaxing (Fennel)
Mills & Bone. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy
Pungents
Spicy
Circulator Stimulants
Fibrinolytic
Atimicrobial
Synergists
Gustatory reflex
Synergic Herb
“Cayenne administered in conjunction with another herb augments the particular stimulatory activity of that herb.”
-Physiomedicalist Perspective
Synergist Piperine (piper nigrum)
barbiturates
beta-carotene
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
curcumin (extract from turmeric)
ethambutol isoniazid
Nalorphine
Phenytoin
Propranolol
Pyrazinamide
rifampicin selenium (from selenomethionine)
Sulfadiazene
Theophylline
vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine)
amino acids (absorption increased) Piperine multiplies the strength of many supplements and drugs by Russell Mills
Piperine, from Black Pepper has been directly shown to increase bioavailability of these compounds
Drug Pathways and Herbal Interactions Piperine (piper nigrum)
Piperine significantly increased plasma concentrations of rifampin, phenytoin, propranolol, and theophylline in humans.
A 100 mg dose of viagra taken with piperine could be equivalent to a 250 mg dose taken without it.
Zutshi RK, Singh R, Zutshi U, Johri RK and Atal CK (1985) Influence of piperine on rifampicin blood levels in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis. J Assoc Physicians India 33: 223-224 Piperine multiplies the strength of many supplements and drugs by Russell Mills
Herbal Synergists and Drug Pathways Piperine (piper nigrum)
Piperine (extracted from black pepper) inhibits CYP450 enzymes. (Liver Detox Pathway)
Piperine inhibits PGP. (Absorption “Blockade”)
Piperine brings more blood flow to the digestive surface area.
Enhancement of curcumin bioavailability by Alvin Hashimoto
Common Cold Support The Alert Phase: Herbal response
Spice it up to clear it up!!
Uh OH! The Alert Phase of a Cold
" Wake up wondering if you are getting sick
" Dry & irritated membranes in nose & throat
" Little/no mucus production yet
" Feeling “run down”
The Alert Phase: Herbal response
The bold hit the cayenne!
Hot Spices!!
" Stimulate secretions
" Wash away microbes & viruses
" Push heat to the surface
" Bring fresh blood flow to area
Are thought to:
Cayenne First Aid
Useful to slow bleeding in first aid
Dr. Christopher’s favorite first aid for heart attacks, strokes, and smoke inhalation.
Potent antiseptic
An Old Time Remedy Kloss’ Simple Liniment
1 tablespoon of cayenne powder
1 pint of vinegar
Simmer for ten minutes.
Bottle unstrained
“A powerful stimulating external application for deep seated congestions, sprains”
- Jethro Kloss, Back to Eden
Infuse cayenne powder in rubbing alcohol for an antiseptic wash
(Don’t heat rubbing alcohol)
Cayenne A Modern Remedy
Substance P depleter- Capsaicin creams researched for arthritis and diabetic neurapathy
Topical capsaicin has been shown in studies to be an effective treatment for cluster headaches and osteoarthritis pain.
Cayenne Heart Support
“Cayenne and other red chili peppers have been shown to reduce blood cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and platelet aggregation, while increasing the body's ability to dissolve fibrin, a substance integral to the formation of blood clots. Cultures where hot peppers like cayenne are used liberally have a much lower rate of heart attack, stroke and pulmonary embolism.”
-Whfoods.org
Paprika
Paprika comes from Cayenne Peppers!!
High in Vitamin C and high in antioxidants!!
Sprinkle paprika liberally on all your foods!
Ginger in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Fresh for exterior
Colds
Sinuses
Flu
Dry for core
Stomach aches/Nausea
Motion sickness
Vertigo/Tinnitus
Ginger Modern Medicine
Ernst E, Pittler MH. Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Br J Anaesth. 2000 Mar;84(3):367-71.
Holtmann S, Clarke AH, Scherer H, Hohn M. The anti-motion sickness mechanism of ginger. A comparative study with placebo and
dimenhydrinate. Acta Otolaryngol. 1989 Sep-Oct;108(3-4):168-74.
Ginger contains shogaols, which are formed during the drying process. These substances are thought to detoxify gastric substances that could lead to nausea.
Some of the antirhinoviral compounds in fresh ginger- Beta-sesquiphellandrenes and zin-giberene rhizome- break down upon drying.
The Alert Phase: Herbal response Garlic intensive
Josling P. Preventing the common cold with a garlic supplement: a double-blind, placebo-controlled survey. Adv Ther. 2001 Jul-Aug;18(4):189-93.
Garlic-Ginger Lemonade " Mince 2-4 cloves fresh garlic
" Let sit out for 10 minutes
" Put garlic & 1Tbsp grated ginger in a quart jar
" Fill jar w/ boiling water & cover for 30 minutes
" Strain out garlic & ginger, add juice of one lemon
" Sweeten to taste with honey (Can also make a garlic/ginger honey!!))
" Serve warm or cool
" Great for kids!
Garlic (Allium sativum) Liliaceae family
• Long recognized as an antiseptic.
• In WWII the expressed juice of garlic was applied to swabs of sphagnum moss and applied to wounds.
• May support a healthy heart
• Used around the world to eliminate parasites
• Often used as a first-response herb for wintertime viruses
Garlic The odor of health
• When crushed or chewed, the enzyme alliinase converts the inactive alliin to the pharmacologically-active and odorous allicin.
• Heat and stomach acids destroy the converting enzyme.
Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2005). Essential Guide to Herbal Safety;
Preparing garlic for medicinal purposes
Letting crushed garlic sit at room temperature for ten minutes prior to heating preserved 70% of the allinase activity, as did cutting the top off of whole, intact garlic and letting it sit for 10 minutes before heating.
(Song K, Milner reviewed in Herbal Gram 56)
Garlic
Powdered garlic preparations provide almost as much allicin as fresh. Most trials have used powdered preparations.
(Mills& Bone)
Allicin breakdown products
Allicin further breaks down into diallyl sulfides and ajoene. The breakdown products are also pharmacologically active. Ajoene is oil Soluble.
For Example….
Ajoene may help reduce platelet aggregation
*Tieraona Low Dog, MD
Garlic Mullein Ear Oil
Place:
1 whole bulb of minced garlic
1 ounce of mullein flowers
1 pint of Olive Oil
In a jar, cover and set in the sunlight for 1 week. Strain into a clean dry jar & store in fridge. For a quicker method, heat over lowest flame for 30 minutes. Place 3-7 drops of warmed oil into affected ear.
Garlic Traditional Ear Oil
Do not use this remedy if there is any ear discharge or any indication that the eardrum is perforated
Garlic Respiratory support
Garlic’s volatile oil is partially excreted through the respiratory system and as it passes through the alveoli and bronchial it exerts a local antiseptic effect. Thus garlic can be used for upper respiratory conditions.
The syrup of garlic is said to promote expectoration, good for bronchitis, asthma, hoarseness and coughs.
Garlic Bowel Support
Garlic’s volatile oil is also partially excreted through the bowel so it exerts an antiseptic effect from the mouth to the anus making it ideal for diarrhea, infections, and pinworms.
Garlic is effective support in dysbiosis, fostering healthy flora in the bowel.
Garlic Cancer prevention
Garlic reduces the formation of N-nitroso compounds which are the leading cause of stomach cancer.
Garlic’s sulfur compounds raise glutathione levels in the liver helping to detoxify harmful substances including carcinogens .
A case-control trial in French women suggests that high onion & garlic consumption is associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer Eur J Epidemiol. 1998 Dec;14(8):737-47.
Garlic Heart Support
A 1999 study gave 900mg powdered extract tablets (kwai) daily for 4 years.
Atherosclerotic plaque was lowered by 2.6%.
Placebo resulted in a 15% increase in plaque. (Commission E)
Garlic Heart Support
Garlic dilates the peripheral blood vessels thus lowering blood pressure.
It’s effects are witnessed 2-3 hours after ingestion. Speculation is that the sulfur compounds in garlic induce the release of endothelial derived relaxation factor.
*Dr. Mary Bove
Garlic Safety Issues / Contraindications:
Use with caution for those with peptic ulcers.
Use with children under two can cause severe colic. Important to note during nursing.
Use with caution as an ear oil as it can cause burning in children under two.
Studies demonstrate that garlic increases bleeding and clotting time in combination with warfarin thus increasing warfarin’s anticoagulant effects.
(Commission E)
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) Zingiberaceae family
Primary Activities
Antiinflammatory
Hepatoprotective
Hypolipidemic
Cholagogue
Antioxidant
Antiviral
Antihistaminic
Turmeric Constituents
Key Constituents: *(3-6%) Yellow pigments- curcuminoids including curcumin. *(3-5%) volatile oils-including 65% sesquiterpene ketones and 25% zingiberene
Turmeric Classic Liver Support
The cholagogue, antiinflammatory and antioxidant combination in turmeric are hepatoprotective .
The antioxidant activity may support oxidative damage associated with conditions such as chronic hepatitis.
The antiinflammatory activity may support leukotriene mediated inflammatory damage of the liver. This may help prevent the progression of hepatitis into fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Curcumin Antihistaminic
Through Mast Cell Stabilization May be appropriate for any kind of allergic
reaction including hay fever, rhinitis, dermatitis, and eczema.
Curcumin COX inhibitor
• Used for various inflammatory conditions such as pain & arthritis.
• Used topically for various inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis, acne and eczema.
Curcumin Leukotriene Inhibitor
Has been used in supporting leukotriene mediated issues such as asthma, eczema, or hepatitis.
Curcumin Heart Support
Reducing cholesterol
Preventing clotting
Preventing arterial damage
Preventing plaque
Decreasing inflammation and C-reactive Protein
Based on the latest research, curcumin may prevent heart disease by:
Turmeric Preparation and Dosage
• 2 tsp turmeric powder daily.
• Improve absorption with lecithen or black pepper extract (piperidine).
• Make a topical paste with aloe gel for shingles or scabies.
Turmeric Standardized extract of curcumin
• Look for a product standardized to 95% curcumin.
• Better spectrum of activity if blended with whole root.
• May take up to 2.5 g throughout the day during a heavy meal.
Cinnamon!
True Cinnamon- more common around world
Cinnamomum Verum, syn C. zeylanicaum
Ceylon Cinnamon- Flaky, light, subtle, sweet
Cassia – most used in US
Cinnamomum aromaticum, syn C. cassia
Chinese Cinnamon- Dark, Bold, hard, spicy
Cinnamon traditional use
Tummy aches
Menstrual cramps
Cold/flu
Food preservative
Reduce topical bleeding
Cinnamon Brain Food
Research led by Dr. P. Zoladz and presented April 24, 2004, at the annual meeting of the Association for Chemoreception Sciences, in Sarasota, FL, found that chewing cinnamon flavored gum or just smelling cinnamon enhanced study participants' cognitive processing.
Cinnamon antimicrobial
In vitro studies show efficay against E. Coli, Salmonella tymphimuriuim, Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans, , Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus, H. Pylori, S. Pneumoniae, H. influenza.
Implications in food preservation
Implications in healing of ulcers
Useful in cleaning agents
Thieve’s Blend Old Time prevention
In an 8 oz spray bottle add 20 drops f each of the following essential oils, 1 tsp vodka, and top with water. Use this as counter top spray and household disinfectant.
Rosemary
Eucalyptus
Clove
Cinnamon
Lemon Young Living Thieves Oil
Cinnamon Blood Sugar
Subjects with type 2 diabetes who were not taking insulin were divided into six groups. For 40 days, groups 1, 2 and 3 were given 1, 3, or 6 grams per day of cinnamon while groups 4, 5 and 6 received placebo capsules. Even the lowest amount of cinnamon, 1 gram per day (approximately ¼ to ½ teaspoon), produced an approximately 20% drop in blood sugar; cholesterol and triglycerides were lowered as well. When daily cinnamon was stopped, blood sugar levels began to increase.
Cardamom Warming & Carminative
Good for bloating & gassiness
Ancient Egyptians chewed the seeds as a tooth cleaner.
Greeks and Romans wore it as perfume
Classic in Chai Tea
Cardamom
In Pod or Decorticated
As soon as the seeds are removed from pod 30% of the aromatic components may be lost in 8 months.
Cineole has been shown to be effective against bad breath bacteria.
Fennel
Classic Eyewash
Gentle Expectorant
Useful Carminative – Gripe water (Fennel, Dill, Anise)- British Pharmaceutical Codex.
Fennel
“The leaves or seed boiled in water and drunk are good for nurses, to increase their milk , and make it more wholesome to the child” _Culpepper
The Commission E Monographs lists one of fennel’s uses to dissolve mucus in the respiratory tract and approves fennel for use in coughs and bronchitis.
The BHP indicates the topical use of fennel for blepharitis, conjunctivitis, and pharyngitis.
Get Spicy!
Not intended to replace the advice of a qualified health practitioner.
Participants are advised to further consult the professional literature
Many of these statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Information presented here is based on personal experience, traditional, and professional literature.
The mention of a specific brand name is not an endorsement of the product.
Herbal Medicine Consultant educational, clinical, research
Coordinator, Appalachian Center for Ethnobotanical Studies Frostburg State University 106 Compton Science Center Frostburg, MD 21532 Office: 301-‐687-‐3136 Email: [email protected]
Kitchen Spices for Health was prepared and presented for the Mountain Herbalist Series under grant USDA 2009-‐38922-‐20155
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