Eat spiced food to improve your health
Aug 09, 2005
Best dishes are best defined by spices,†that was my mom and she is not alone. Spiced food is fashionable. Gallic, onions, turmeric, coriander, ginger, cloves, black pepper, and cardamon can food tasty. But, most importantly, they all have great healing power.
By Asmara Nabayaza
Best dishes are best defined by spices,†that was my mom and she is not alone. Spiced food is fashionable. Gallic, onions, turmeric, coriander, ginger, cloves, black pepper, and cardamon can food tasty. But, most importantly, they all have great healing power. So, why not let your food be medicine and your medicine be the food?
Garlic
Dr David Ssali, a herbal medicine consultant, says Katungurucumu (garlic), is a dramatic immunal stimulant.
“It contains body defendants like Germanium, Magnesium, Selenium, 17 amino acids, 33 sulphur compounds and Vitamins A, C and B1. It is also useful in getting rid of excess fats. And as an antibiotic, it clears colds and coughs by banishing excess mucus.â€
Dr Nelly Birungi, a nutritionist at Mulago Hospital also praises the role of vitamins and minerals in garlic.
“Garlic’s acid content gives it one of the best anti-bacterial properties. That is why it easily clears chest congestion.â€
Dr Juuko Ndawula, a specialist in alternative and complementary medicines, also recommends garlic for healthy blood and arteries.
“Garlic clears the problem of blood pressure and rigid arteries making them flexible,†he says.
But Juuko was doubtful about frying garlic. He advised that garlic should only be steamed if it is to retain its nutrients.
But Birungi says minerals found in garlic like sulphur are heat stable. “However, vitamins like B-group-Vitamins (water soluble) may be leached into the soup. So, the soup should also be consumed.â€
Turmeric
Mugavu binzaari (turmeric) has excellent natural antibiotics. Juuko says it is very good at preventing mumps in pregnant women, which they would have passed on to the babies. Not only does it purify the blood, it also warms it and stimulates formation of new blood tissue and the body’s defence forces. Turmeric aids digestion of proteins and improves intestinal flora. It may be added to high-protein food to assist digestion and prevent the formation of gas.
Externally, turmeric can be used with honey for sprains, strains, bruise or itch. When applied as a paste, it may eliminate scabies, an itchy skin condition caused by parasitic mites.
“The curcumin in turmeric may inhibit the replication of HIV. It has been found to hinder the growth of errant cells associated with cancer of the breast and skin,†Juuko says.
However, he warns that turmeric must be used with caution, especially for people who have hernia, ulcers and gas problems.
“It stimulates gastric juice, which builds in the stomach and may increase pain. If any reaction is noticed, turmeric must be stopped immediatelyâ€.
Black pepper
Katasmiti (black pepper), a different curry, supplements turmeric in helping with gastric flow. However, it acts as an anti-bacterial agent. Birungi advises against consuming it in large amounts.
“It can be irritant to the gastro-intestinal system because it creates an acidic media that stimulates the release of proteinous enzymes that may start digesting the linings of the intestines causing ulcers.â€
Onions
Onions are good and quick at treating infections like flu, cough and constant colds. Juuko says onions work best when eaten raw. For even better results, one should use onions for at least four to five days, once or twice each day. And for people allergic to them due to sulphur compounds, cut onions should be left to rest for at least two hours before eating them.
Coriander
Coriander roots, seeds and leaves are very nutritious and, as medicines, they strengthen immunity and help the body to relax. Juuko says they ease migraines and gastro-intestinal complaints.
Tangawuzi (ginger)
Ginger suppresses nausea, especially during pregnancy. Birungi says it stimulates the release of digestive enzymes and relieves stomach discomfort.
Others
Juuko says cardamon stimulates digestion, heals fatigue and fever. malewa (fennel) is used to reduce hunger pain, ease digestion and as a diuretic (allows flow of excess out of the body).
According to Birungi, cloves keep fats from turning rancid (getting spoilt).
“It contains Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium, which prevent fats from going bad.
So, get more than the delicacy, spice up yourself into health.
Ends
Best dishes are best defined by spices,†that was my mom and she is not alone. Spiced food is fashionable. Gallic, onions, turmeric, coriander, ginger, cloves, black pepper, and cardamon can food tasty. But, most importantly, they all have great healing power. So, why not let your food be medicine and your medicine be the food?
Garlic
Dr David Ssali, a herbal medicine consultant, says Katungurucumu (garlic), is a dramatic immunal stimulant.
“It contains body defendants like Germanium, Magnesium, Selenium, 17 amino acids, 33 sulphur compounds and Vitamins A, C and B1. It is also useful in getting rid of excess fats. And as an antibiotic, it clears colds and coughs by banishing excess mucus.â€
Dr Nelly Birungi, a nutritionist at Mulago Hospital also praises the role of vitamins and minerals in garlic.
“Garlic’s acid content gives it one of the best anti-bacterial properties. That is why it easily clears chest congestion.â€
Dr Juuko Ndawula, a specialist in alternative and complementary medicines, also recommends garlic for healthy blood and arteries.
“Garlic clears the problem of blood pressure and rigid arteries making them flexible,†he says.
But Juuko was doubtful about frying garlic. He advised that garlic should only be steamed if it is to retain its nutrients.
But Birungi says minerals found in garlic like sulphur are heat stable. “However, vitamins like B-group-Vitamins (water soluble) may be leached into the soup. So, the soup should also be consumed.â€
Turmeric
Mugavu binzaari (turmeric) has excellent natural antibiotics. Juuko says it is very good at preventing mumps in pregnant women, which they would have passed on to the babies. Not only does it purify the blood, it also warms it and stimulates formation of new blood tissue and the body’s defence forces. Turmeric aids digestion of proteins and improves intestinal flora. It may be added to high-protein food to assist digestion and prevent the formation of gas.
Externally, turmeric can be used with honey for sprains, strains, bruise or itch. When applied as a paste, it may eliminate scabies, an itchy skin condition caused by parasitic mites.
“The curcumin in turmeric may inhibit the replication of HIV. It has been found to hinder the growth of errant cells associated with cancer of the breast and skin,†Juuko says.
However, he warns that turmeric must be used with caution, especially for people who have hernia, ulcers and gas problems.
“It stimulates gastric juice, which builds in the stomach and may increase pain. If any reaction is noticed, turmeric must be stopped immediatelyâ€.
Black pepper
Katasmiti (black pepper), a different curry, supplements turmeric in helping with gastric flow. However, it acts as an anti-bacterial agent. Birungi advises against consuming it in large amounts.
“It can be irritant to the gastro-intestinal system because it creates an acidic media that stimulates the release of proteinous enzymes that may start digesting the linings of the intestines causing ulcers.â€
Onions
Onions are good and quick at treating infections like flu, cough and constant colds. Juuko says onions work best when eaten raw. For even better results, one should use onions for at least four to five days, once or twice each day. And for people allergic to them due to sulphur compounds, cut onions should be left to rest for at least two hours before eating them.
Coriander
Coriander roots, seeds and leaves are very nutritious and, as medicines, they strengthen immunity and help the body to relax. Juuko says they ease migraines and gastro-intestinal complaints.
Tangawuzi (ginger)
Ginger suppresses nausea, especially during pregnancy. Birungi says it stimulates the release of digestive enzymes and relieves stomach discomfort.
Others
Juuko says cardamon stimulates digestion, heals fatigue and fever. malewa (fennel) is used to reduce hunger pain, ease digestion and as a diuretic (allows flow of excess out of the body).
According to Birungi, cloves keep fats from turning rancid (getting spoilt).
“It contains Vitamin C, Zinc and Selenium, which prevent fats from going bad.
So, get more than the delicacy, spice up yourself into health.
Ends