Masala Dabba

Yashi Daxini draws attention to some invaluable health virtues of popular Indian spices.

- Yashi Daxini

There’s nothing like a zingy masala tadka to spice up your food, be it even the humble dal-chawal. But the goodness of spices doesn’t end with just being potions of taste that bring pleasure to the palate. Spices also have several health benefits which are associated with nearly every aspect of wellness! Read on to discover how ordinary spices benefit you in extraordinary ways…

NUTMEG – THE APHRODISIAC

Nutmeg, better known as jaiphal, is a natural aphrodisiac.

It’s also an excellent detox agent for the liver and kidney, where majority of toxins accumulate.

The essential oil from jaiphal can help treat leukemia or blood cancer.

Its anti-bacterial properties fight bad breath and other oral health issues.

Sleep like a baby by adding a pinch of jaiphal powder to warm milk.

It can play a role in your beauty regime too! Nutmeg paste made with water or honey is a great remedy for skin inflammation. It also reduces hair fall.

TURMERIC – THE HEALING SUPER POWDER

Turmeric or haldi has been used extensively for ages for its healing, antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties. It instantly soothes burns and prevents infections.

Consuming haldi helps stabilise hormonal imbalance which leads to hirsutism, a condition of excessive unwanted male-pattern hair growth on a woman’s face, chest and back.

It possesses chemopreventive capabilities against cancers of breast, brain, gastrointestinal system and bones.

Turmeric lowers the levels of inflammatory enzymes responsible for psoriasis.

Curcumin, an extract found in haldi, is known to heal stretch marks and brighten the skin.

CARDAMOM – THE ANTIDOTE FOR VENOM