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Healing
Powers of Herbs and Spices
Traditional medicine has
recognized the medicinal benefits of spices for thousands of years.
Now: A growing body of scientific
evidence supports the use of spices to prevent -- and even help treat --
various diseases, such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer and
Alzheimer's.
CAYENNE
PEPPER
What it does: Lowers cholesterol... helps
prevent atherosclerosis... and reduces allergic responses. An extract from
the pepper, called capsaicin, can be used in a topical cream to treat pain
from arthritis, shingles, bursitis, low-back ache and neuropathy (nerve
pain). Cayenne's benefits can be attributed to the antioxidants,
flavonoids and carotenoids it contains, all of which have
anti-inflammatory effects and enhance circulation. Capsaicin depletes
nerve endings of substance P, a neurotransmitter that facilitates
nerve transmission of pain.
Scientific evidence: A four-week study
published in the Journal of Rheumatology found that patients with
osteoarthritis of the hands who applied capsaicin cream four times a day
experienced reduced pain and tenderness.
Typical dose: Cayenne is available as a
supplement in capsules and tincture. Take one capsule of cayenne pepper up
to three times a day... or add three to eight drops of cayenne tincture to
four ounces of water and drink two to four times a day. Apply topical
cream containing capsaicin to painful areas, as directed on the label. You
also can season your food with powdered cayenne pepper or hot sauce.
Possible side effects: Cayenne
pepper can cause gastric upset. To avoid pain and burning, do not let
topical capsaicin come in contact with your eyes or other mucous
membranes. If you take warfarin (Coumadin), do not use cayenne
pepper supplements.
CINNAMON
What it does: Helps prevent heart disease
and type 2 diabetes.
Due to its antioxidant properties, cinnamon helps people
with metabolic syndrome (a cluster of factors, including excessive
abdominal fat, high blood sugar and elevated blood pressure, which
increase the risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes) use the
hormone insulin in their bodies more efficiently.
Scientific evidence: A 2003 US Department
of Agriculture clinical study found that consuming capsules containing 1g,
3g or 6g of cinnamon daily (about ¼ teaspoon, ¾ teaspoon or 1¼ teaspoons,
respectively) for 40 days lowered blood levels of glucose and
triglycerides (fats in the blood) by about 25% in adults with type 2
diabetes. It also reduced LDL "bad" cholesterol by up to 27%.
Typical dose: Use one-half to one
teaspoon of powdered cinnamon daily on cereal or toast or mix into
yogurt... take one capsule twice a day... or add 20 to 40 drops of
tincture to one ounce of water and drink three times daily.
For tea, mix one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of powdered
cinnamon with eight ounces of boiling water. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes,
covered. Drink a four-ounce cup up to three times a day.
Possible side effects: Because
cinnamon can affect blood glucose levels, people with diabetes should
carefully monitor their blood sugar and ask their doctors if their
medication needs to be adjusted.
GINGER
What it does: Reduces the pain and
swelling caused by rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis... helps
prevent the nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness or
pregnancy... enhances digestion and circulation... and eases intestinal
gas.
Scientific evidence: Two clinical studies
found that ginger relieved pain and/or swelling in 75% of arthritis
patients.
Typical dose: Take one to two capsules
with meals two to three times daily... or add 10 to 30 drops of the
tincture to one ounce of water and drink three to four times
daily.
For tea, mix one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of powdered
ginger (or use a ginger tea bag) with eight ounces of boiling water. Steep
for 10 to 15 minutes, covered. Drink four ounces up to three times daily.
Possible side effects: Ginger
can have a blood-thinning effect, so check with your doctor before using
it if you take an anticoagulant, such as warfarin (Coumadin).
Ginger may cause an upset stomach in people who take larger doses than
those described above.
TURMERIC
What it does: Helps prevent
atherosclerosis, some types of cancer and Alzheimer's disease... reduces
the pain and stiffness of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis...
eliminates indigestion... and eases the symptoms of inflammatory bowel
disease and irritable bowel syndrome. The beneficial effects of turmeric
(also found in curry) are due to its anti-inflammatory compounds known as
curcuminoids, as well as the essential oils and carotenoids it
contains.
Scientific evidence: In a double-blind,
placebo-controlled study, 116 people with indigestion took either a 500-mg
capsule of curcumin (the substance that gives turmeric its yellow color)
or a placebo four times a day. Nearly 90% of those taking curcumin
experienced full or partial relief after seven days.
Typical dose: Take 250 mg to 500 mg of
curcumin (standardized to 80% to 90% curcumin) three times daily... or add
40 to 60 drops of the tincture to one ounce of water and drink three to
four times daily.
For tea, mix one-half teaspoon of powdered turmeric with
eight ounces of boiling water. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes, covered. Drink
four ounces up to four times a day.
Possible side effects: Turmeric
stimulates liver function, so it should be avoided by anyone with
gallstones or any other bile-duct obstruction. Preliminary studies show
that curcumin may lessen the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs, such as
doxorubicin (Rubex) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). If
you are undergoing chemotherapy, talk to your doctor before taking
curcumin.
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