Spices are substances or dried portions derived from various plants, fruits, or vegetables to provide color or flavoring to food.  Spices may be sourced from the leaves, trunk, or seeds of a particular plant and each of them is able to provide a distinct aroma or flavor to a particular dish.  Aside from its culinary use though, various spices are also considered as health substances as they provide various benefits to the body.  These benefits may include the following:

1. Anti-inflammatory effect

Various spices such as cumin, chilli peppers, cayenne, and basil are said to help in the inflammatory process.  The action of these spices may be actual stoppage of inflammation or soothing some of the symptoms associated with it like pain and swelling on the affected area.

2. Antiseptic effect

Many spices are also known to help get rid of bacteria in various parts of the body. Garlic and ginger for example may be applied to a wounded site to help kill germs and prevent further inflammation and possible complications.

3. Improve wellness

Some spices with their aromatic odors are also known to promote relaxation, relieve stress, and result to an overall improvement of well-being.  Lavender for example is widely used as an essential oil for massage purposes as it helps calm down the senses and gives a positive feeling.  Peppermint meanwhile provides muscle relaxation making it another common essential massage oil or cream.

4. Improve health

Various spices are also known to give people a health boost. Turmeric is known to help those with indigestion while parsley is said to be a powerful anti-oxidant.  Chilli pepper is also known to boost metabolism and help people lose or maintain weight.  Other spices are also helpful for people with problems in digestion, circulation, and respiration.

As for the health experts, spices are considered as wonder substances because they not only provide flavor but also give various health benefits. Whether they are eaten as flavorings or as drug supplements, these spices will remain effective as flavor and health boosters.

Eugenol is a type of oil that is sourced from cloves.  Clove buds are typically dried and after which they will pass through a distillation process to produce eugenol oil.  In terms of scent, the eugenol content of cloves makes it distinct aroma.  Eugenol oil is also responsible for basically all the properties and benefits of cloves as it is the main ingredient found in the buds.  In itself, eugenol oil can provide the following health benefits:

1. Cleansing benefits

Eugenol oil is a known antiseptic and can be used to treat external cuts and wounds.  People who have rashes or scrapes in the skin after falling on the ground for example may apply eugenol oil to the wound site.  And with eugenol’s antibacterial and anti-viral properties, infection of the wound site may also be prevented.  With its anti-bacterial property, some health experts also suggest using eugenol oil for skin problems like acne.

2. Treatment for common ailments

Aside from its cleansing and antibacterial properties, eugenol oil is also known to have anti-inflammatory and sedative effects. Many people have used eugenol oil for centuries because it can help alleviate some types of pain including tooth ache and skin sensitivity, and treat gum and tooth-related problems.  Eugenol oil may also be used with other natural ingredients like ginger for the treatment of the common cold, coughs, and problems in the throat and the rest of the digestive system.

3. Elimination of toxins

Eugenol oil is also touted as a powerful anti-oxidant and this simply means that this particular oil can help get rid of harmful toxins in the body. These toxins or free radicals may cause certain types of cancer.

The best thing about eugenol oil is that it can be safely combined with other ingredients and medicines to treat various ailments and conditions.  And one doesn’t have to have the oil in pure form and instead choose to consume cloves in order to get the various health benefits.

Sriracha sauce is a type of hot sauce made mainly from red chili peppers and garlic.  Vinegar, sugar, and salt are also added to the mixture to create a unique spicy and sweet flavor.  This sauce is also called “rooster sauce” and is said to be named after a town in Thailand called “Sri Racha”.  But aside from its Thai roots, many people have also considered China or Vietnam as the origin of this popular hot sauce.  People and culinary enthusiasts have raved about sriracha sauce because of the following benefits:

1. Unique flavor

Sriracha sauce is not just a typical tangy and hot sauce.  Its mixture with sugar, salt, and vinegar gives it a unique sweet taste which is preferred by some people. Whether used as a dip or flavoring for other food items, sriracha sauce is famous for its unique taste.

2. Versatility

When it comes to usefulness, sriracha sauces provide so much versatility because it can be used as a dip in itself or mixed with other condiments and sauces.  This sauce is commonly mixed with other cream-based sauces to add a spicy taste to them. Sriracha sauce can also be used in making soup bases and stews.  A typical noodle soup can be spiced up just by adding sriracha sauce.  Some people also use sriracha sauce in other meal preparations such as scrambled eggs, macaroni and cheese, and other pasta dishes.

3. Health benefits

The capsaicin content of red chili peppers makes sriracha sauce a healthy food option.  Capsaicin is known to help boost internal metabolism and thereby aid people who are trying to loose some extra weight.  Various diet plans advocate the consumption of spicy foods including sriracha sauce to help manage weight problems.  The garlic content in sriracha sauce also helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

Sriracha sauce has become famous not only in Asia but also in other parts of the world because of its unique sweet and spice flavor.  More people have loved it over the years because of its additional health benefits.

Ravensara is an essential oil that is sourced from the leaves of the ravensara tree which can be found abundantly in Madagascar.  Through a process called steam distillation, the oil from the leaves is said to cure various ailments and disease.  For many people in Madagascar, ravensara oil is considered a very important tool against various sickness and disease as it is able to give the following benefits:

1. Fights of Bacterial infections

Ravensara oil is known to contain various chemicals and substances including alpha pinene, methyl chavicol, germecreme, and terpineol among many others.  These substances are said to be good agents against some common bacterial infections like those involving the respiratory tract.  People with cold sores and sinusitis are said to gain relief from ravensara oil treatment. With its anti-bacterial properties, some people use ravensara oil as a disinfecting agent.  The oil literally works by killing bacteria and preventing its spread to other areas of the body.

2. Promotes relaxation

Ravensara oil is also widely used as a massage oil to relieve muscle tension and body pains.  People who are very stressed from physical and mental work are said to benefit from the oil’s soothing effect on the muscles and the overall mental being of the person.

3. Promotes detoxification

Known to have diuretic properties, ravensara oil is able to help in terms of toxin elimination from the body.  Through excretion of waste materials from the body by means of urination, some harmful toxins may be removed through the help of ravensara oil.

The use of ravensara oil is safe and non-toxic to the body.  Many people also use it along with other essential oils to maximize its health and medical benefits.  Oils from lavender, sandal wood, grapefruit, and cedar wood for example are commonly mixed with ravensara oil to improve aroma and further promote healing and good health.

]]> http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-ravensara-oil/feed/ 0 http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-onion-soup/ http://benefitof.net/benefits-of-onion-soup/#comments Wed, 27 Jun 2012 19:42:55 +0000 Harri Daniel http://benefitof.net/?p=13236 Benefits of Onion Soup

Onion soup is normally recommended for treating fever and common cold. However, it has other benefits and it provides healthy nutrition to the body. Onions are the main ingredients used in making onion soup and they are the ones responsible for providing this soup most of its benefits.

1. Anti-bacterial effects

Onions are usually pungent in flavor and odor. This makes this soup preferable for most people and makes some people avoid it. Nevertheless, this pungency is important as it acts like a great antibacterial agent. Through consuming onion soup regularly, you can easily enhance the natural protection of the body against bacteria. Hence, onion soup reduces your chances of getting various kinds of infections.

2. Provides folic acid

Folic acid helps regulated some essential body systems. It is usually found in various fruits, with onions containing a large amount of this ingredient. One way of increasing your consumption of this vital ingredient is through taking onion soup frequently.

3. Vitamins

Onion soup is a great source of various vitamins such as vitamins A, E and C. All these vitamins help the body in the daily body processes. Vitamin C helps to enhance the immune system. People recovering from surgery are recommended to ingest onion soup regularly to promote good health and quick recovery.

4. High iron content

Most onion varieties supply lots of iron to the body, particularly red onions. When such onions are used to make onion soup, it is possible to increase the overall iron content in your body. This is beneficial since iron is needed for keeping blood in proper thickness and consistency. Onion soup can also avert anemia and also blood thinning. Furthermore, this soup also boosts the strength and health of the blood cells because of the high iron content.

In short, all these benefits can be achieved with moderate intake of onion soup on a daily basis.

Turmeric supplements are derived from the popular ancient herb that has been used like a spice for flavoring food and also like a remedy for treating a wide variety of illnesses. These supplements are easily accessible from most health stores. You can purchase turmeric supplements as fluid extracts, tinctures and capsules.

1. Prevents swelling

Turmeric supplements have powerful anti-inflammatory effects within the body. A clinical trial showed that arthritic individuals who took these supplements experienced less morning stiffness and reduced joint swelling. A different clinical study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking a mixture of turmeric supplements and other herbs found that there was a significant reduction in pain and disability. Research has also showed that turmeric supplements have a more effective anti-inflammatory action as compared to hydrocortisone.

2. Cures gastrointestinal complications

Turmeric supplements have the ability to provide relief from a vast range of gastric and digestive problems like ulcerative colitis and dyspepsia. Turmeric stimulates the production of bile within the gallbladder so as to enhance digestion. Actually, a study showed turmeric supplements eased the gas and bloating symptoms associated with indigestion. Another study discovered that ulcerative colitis patients who were given turmeric supplements had a reduced relapse rate. Furthermore, turmeric enhances digestion of fats and increases peristalsis.

3. Atherosclerosis prevention

Atherosclerosis is a disease that involves plaque accumulating in the arteries and thus inhibiting blood flow. Turmeric supplements prevent this disease from happening through lowering levels of cholesterol and also preventing the blood from clotting. Studies show turmeric prevents LDL cholesterol from accumulating within blood vessels. In addition, taking turmeric supplements dilates blood vessels and lowers the blood pressure.

Being rich in antioxidants, turmeric supplements prevent cell damage and act as a protective measure against cancer. In fact, turmeric may assist control or prevent prostate, skin and breast cancer.

Benefits of Jalapeno

Jalapenos are chilli peppers that originated in Mexico.  Named after the town of Xalapa, jalapenos may be served ripe or green and could be used for a variety of preparations like sauces, dips, and jelly.  Some people also mix them with pickles or stuff them with meat items like fish and poultry.  But regardless of fruit preparation, jalapenos may give the following health benefits:

1. Relief for headaches

Jalapeno peppers are known to help out people with migraine-type and sinusitis-related headaches.  These peppers contain the substance “capsaicin” which blocks a neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of pain.

2. Prostate cancer management

The capsaicin chemical in jalapeno peppers are also known to fight prostate cancer cells.  Based on scientific research, these cancer cells become smaller or fail to multiply and grow bigger when it comes in contact with capsaicin.

3. Improved cardiovascular health

Regular consumption of jalapenos are said to help lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood stream. This condition makes the blood vessels and the heart healthier and possibly preventing serious conditions like stroke and heart ailments.

4. Fat Elimination

Jalapeno peppers are known to have a thermogenic effect on the body and this simply means that the body’s internal metabolism is boosted leading to the elimination of excess calories and fat.  Literally, jalapenos make the body generate more heat and therefore making it burn more calories, including fat.

5. Fights Inflammation

Jalapeno’s capsaicin content is also known to have anti-inflammatory effects.  This effect is especially helpful for people with arthritic conditions and other illnesses.

With the various benefits provided by jalapeno peppers, many people consume it not just to add a spicy flavor onto different food items but also to take advantage of the health gains.  Food products based on jalapeno peppers can also be sourced not only from Mexico but also from other countries.

Fresh ginger is popularly used in India and China. It started to become popular in most Western countries once people started using it like a spice. Traditionally, fresh ginger was used for treating several common conditions including upset stomachs, gas and hangovers. In fact, ginger can be seen on the official medication lists of various Asian and European nations. However, America still considers ginger as part of the dietary supplements.

The spiciness and taste of this root increases with time. Hence, ginger is therefore harvested over 6 -20 months. Underground roots of this particular plant are used both like a spice and medicinally. Ginger is accessible in various forms including, dried roots, teas, pills and extracts.

1. Medicinal purposes
Fresh ginger has extensive uses in medicine. A common ginger use is to treat and prevent stomach complaints like gas, reduced appetite and nausea. Furthermore, fresh ginger also benefits those suffering from bacterial dysentery, malaria, migraines, snake bites, arthritis pain and tooth pain also. You can also make ginger juice and then apply it onto the skin for assisting to heal burns, whereas fresh ginger oil stops pain and calms the skin.

2. Culinary purposes
Fresh ginger acts like a seasoning when used in various kinds of foods like curry pastes, pickles and chutneys. Young fresh ginger can be cut and then added onto a salad. Furthermore, you can also pickle or brine fresh ginger and then serve it like a condiment.

3. Health considerations
The internal and also external fresh ginger use is generally safe. Nevertheless, it might cause some mild adverse effects like diarrhea and gas when consumed in large amounts. There are even some individual instances of allergic reactions and abnormal heart rhythm reported after fresh ginger use. Lastly, fresh ginger should be avoided for treating morning sickness, since it has not been determined whether it is safe to be taken during lactat