Five Spicy Ways to Stay Healthy

By Suzy Cohen, R.Ph.

QUESTION: I was wondering what the medical benefits of some household spices are? I notice that they are often sold in stores in supplement form.

ANSWER: Supplements are man-made tablet forms of the naturally occurring spice, but they don't contain all the natural ingredients of the spice they are meant to mimic. Many popular drugs are derived directly from ancient plants, algae and fungi. Many spices contain powerful, medically useful properties and have anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancer and anti-aging effects on the body. Here are some of the most important:

Turmeric: This is a cousin of ginger, another popular spice from India. You find it in lots of curry dishes. Turmeric has the power to reduce swelling, kill infectious bugs and improve heart health. Because it scavenges cancer-causing cells in the body, it can reduce your risk of cancer. Some people claim it helps with psoriasis and arthritis because it controls inflammation. A clinical study at the University of California-Los Angeles suggests that it can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease; however, there are no studies yet comparing it to drugs such as Namenda, Exelon, Reminyl or Aricept.

Nutmeg: The spice, which has a rich, sweet aroma, is used frequently for baking breads and pies. An essential oil is derived after steam distillation. The woodsy, aromatic oil is used externally for assorted ailments, including joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis, constipation and fatigue. Sometimes, nutmeg is found in massage oils because it alleviates muscle aches and arthritis pain.

Warning: Never take essential oils, which are designed for aromatherapy, internally. Ingestion can be toxic.

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