Discover which spices have beneficial qualites to get us through the winter months ...

Ginger

Ginger is a wonderful appetite stimulant - cooking with this herb improves the digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. It is a circulatory stimulant, especially useful for warming those cold fingers and toes.  
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic. For a healthy and comforting winter drink, add a teaspoon of fresh grated ginger to a cup of hot water, with honey if desired. Ginger tea also relieves sore throats.

 

Chilli

Stimulates blood flow, promotes sweating, and thins the mucous. Chilli is a stimulating tonic which strengthens the heart, blood vessels, and lungs.  
Great for wind and indigestion, sore throats and blocked noses.

 

Cinnamon

A refreshing spice, Cinnamon is stimulating and heating. It is a digestive and anti-spasmodic, and is useful for indigestion, menstrual cramps and colds. It is also a mild anaesthetic.

 

Cloves

Cloves are also heating and pungent, and are a natural pain reliever - a few drops of clove oil applied to a piece of cotton can be inserted into the tooth cavity to relieve toothache (while waiting to see the dentist!) Great for relieving flatulence, coughs, and sinus congestion. Use it in cooking when you are feeling cold or congested.