Spices With Benefits

Whenever I browse through Pinterest, I find myself always stopping and staring at images of spices. There’s something about the colorful little mounds, scattered on top of dark surfaces, that is so visually appealing to me. It’s like an edible mosaic is created.

With the bright and bold hues that are incorporated into this month’s lookbook, Moroccan Romance, I was inspired to do a post on different spices used in Moroccan cooking that exude that same color intensity. As much as they add flavor to meals, they are also beneficial in other ways besides just taste, and it’s interesting to learn how they can help us in our day to day lives.

Some of the most common spices used in Moroccan cooking are:

Salt

Pepper

Ginger

Turmeric

Paprika

Cumin

Saffron

A few of the above are great to help improve our overall well-being…

Ginger

Light yellow in color and strong smelling, some claim ginger to be the “wonder spice” for all of its health benefits. If you’re feeling nauseous or have an upset stomach, ginger can help get rid of these nuisances. From poor digestion to even sore joints, chew on a little bit or add some to a hot drink because ginger has the nutritional properties that can help.

Turmeric

I used turmeric a lot this past fall. It’s one of those spices that is perfect to use in the colder months because of its warm color and smell. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory used widely in ayurvedic medicine. It also helps boost your immune system, so this is a good spice to use if you feel a cold coming on. Try this recipe for a turmeric elixir!

Paprika

Paprika is packed with healthy nutrients that are good for our bodies, and especially vitamin A. One tablespoon of this red-colored spice contains more than 100 percent of the daily intake requirement. As the vitamin A helps to improve eyesight, paprika also gives your body extra iron to help those bones stay strong.

Cumin

Cumin is pungent and strong, and acts as a great salt substitute. With its low levels of sodium, using this instead of extra salt can help reduce blood pressure, all while adding a delicious flavor to meals. Cumin is also a good source of vitamin B, which helps to improve sleep. Try eating a banana sprinkled with some cumin right before bed if you aren’t getting enough shut eye.

Saffron

Although this is one of the most costly spices, it’s worth it due to the multiple health benefits it provides. From digestion help to reducing inflammation, you can use saffron in a lot of ways besides just adding it into foods. You can make a saffron milk mask by adding some saffron strands to raw milk. Allow the strands to sit for about 2 hours before using, turning the milk a reddish color. Rub the milk onto your face and leave on for 10 minutes before washing off. The saffron mask will help clear up dry skin and acne!

More healthy tips from the BLDG 25 Blog.

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