Daily food preparation involves the use of many food products to achieve the final satisfying result of a tasty and nutritious meal. When cooking, it is worthwhile to take care not only of the taste of the dish itself, but also of its appropriate caloric content and health benefits. This can be helped by using the right spices, even exotic ones, and many of them have valuable medicinal properties.

Eating properly prepared, balanced meals not only makes it easier to maintain proper body weight, fighting overweight and obesity. At the same time, what we eat has a tremendous impact on our overall health, the functioning of virtually all internal systems and organs. In addition to the selection of basic ingredients in the diet, such positive effects can be provided by spices, and their use is a form of herbalism, also known as phytotherapy.

Herbalism is a variety of alternative medicine, known and used around the world for thousands of years, based on the healing properties of many herbs and plants. Originating in ancient China, it also developed in India, where it became an essential part of the ancient Indian healing system, Ayurveda. Of course, it also spread on our continent, herbs were already used by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and were also used in the lands of the Slavs.

Phytotherapy takes full advantage of the gifts of nature growing in meadows , fields or gardens. The use of herbs, including spices, is extremely wide, encompassing not only the kitchen, where they are a valuable addition to dishes, but also dietary supplements and cosmetics used for daily body care. Even schools are being set up to acquire the specialized knowledge necessary for properproper selection of herbs, avoid those that could do harm and make medicinal preparations from them.

The advantages of herbalism cannot be underestimated, it is becoming increasingly popular and more and more people around the world are returning to traditional methods of taking care of their health. Specialists in this field especially emphasize such advantages of phytotherapy as:

Before we get into a detailed description of the selected spices that we believe are worth having in the kitchen, we should familiarize ourselves with their basic division, which will make the eventual choice easier. Depending on their origin, it looks as follows:

Probably everyone likes native or exotic spices that perfectly enhance the taste of favorite dishes, but unfortunately not everyone can use them. Before seasoning a sauce, salad or chicken too much, medical contraindications should be taken into account beforehand, and many spices are not indicated for:

At the same time, it should be borne in mind that some of the spices, however, may cause some side effects, so they must be used with caution by use them during pregnancy, and if they are unsure of their effects, they should talk to their pregnancy doctor. Some spices also interact with medications, so be sure to read the accompanying leaflet carefully beforehand.

The right choice of spices, which should at the same time have a beneficial effect on health, is not easy, especially when you buy them in the form of ready-made mixtures. In this case, special attention should be paid to their composition, which should not contain any harmful substances, primarily monosodium glutamate bearing the designation E 621. It is best to grow individual spices in your garden or on the allotment to be sure of their naturalness, and in the kitchen should be found primarily such as:

Probably the best known and fully deservedly called a natural antibiotic. Its effect is determined by the presence of vitamin A, B vitamins, thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), vitamin C, amino acids, flavonoids, micronutrients: chromium, cobalt, magnesium, nickel, potassium and calcium. Properties of garlic that can be considered the most important for health are:

Prized primarily for the presence in the outer shell of the seeds of piperine, an alkaloid with exceptionally broad effects that promote weakened health, supported by small amounts of other nutrients. Piperine gives these small black grains their properties:

Used especially as an additive to meat dishes, another one whose health-promoting properties qualify it to find its place in the kitchen spice cabinet. Specialists in herbalism and healthy nutrition also emphasize its nutritional value, for whichare responsible for tymol, essential oil, vitamin C, B vitamins, including folic acid (B9), and the presence of minerals, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium and iron. Thanks to this, thyme:

One of the two most popular Italian spices, without which we cannot imagine, for example, pizza or spaghetti. Until a few hundred years ago it was considered a remedy for practically all ailments, this may be an exaggeration, but it is really worth using, and the body will quickly appreciate its healing effects. Basil also contains the above-mentioned vitamins and minerals, in addition to vitamin E, commonly known as the “vitamin of youth,” giving it healing properties:

The second of the well-known Italian spices, no less popular, with a distinctive, unique flavor. It can be added to tomato sauce in the same way, and nutritionists emphasize more than just flavor. Oregano, also known as common oregano, will provide the body with numerous active compounds to strengthen health. These include vitamins A, B (B1, B2, B3, B6 and B9), C, E and K, manganese, copper, potassium, phenolic acids, including chlorogenic and rosemary acids, flavonoids, essential oils, tymol and karwakrol, and oregano’s properties depend on them:

The root of this plant has versatile uses, culinary and medicinal, and the composition really is impressive. Ginger is a rich source of vitamins essential for health, A, B1, B2, B9, C, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, dietary fiber. Equally important is the presence of such unique compounds as shogaol, zingiberol, gingerol, zinferol, and thanks to them, ginger has an effect:

The spices presented above are, of course, our subjective choice. Everyone certainly has his or her own favorites that he or she enjoys using, and of the many others with healing properties, we can still recommend: