How these 10 Indian herbs and spices can benefit your health

Indian food is characterised by the use of a wide variety of herbs and spices that give each dish its vibrant colour and aromatic flavour, but it’s not just about looks and taste: Indian herbs and spices have some incredible health benefits that can make a hugely positive impact on your body and mind. Here are ten of the best!

1) Coarse crushed pepper

If you want to lose a bit of weight, coarse crushed pepper can help you to achieve your goals. The outer layer of a peppercorn contains phytonutrients that help to break down fat cells, and also increase metabolism, which helps your body to burn more calories. Pepper also aids digestion because it stimulates your taste buds in a way that sends a message to your stomach to produce more hydrochloric acid, which is vital for digesting proteins.

2) Ghee

Ghee is traditionally used in Indian cooking in much the same way as butter. It is a rich source of vitamins A, E and K2 and conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) if it is sourced from grass-fed cows. Top athletes use ghee as a consistent energy source, thanks to the plentiful amounts of medium chain fatty acids in it. It is also a great alternative to butter for people with lactose intolerances.

3) Ground coriander

Coriander is one of the best known Indian herbs and spices, thanks to its wonderful spicy flavour, but it also has many healing properties. It is an excellent source of iron and magnesium and can be used to treat skin inflammation, high cholesterol, diarrhoea, anaemia, indigestion and allergies – to name just a few!

4) Garam Masala

Garam Masala is a mix of many Indian herbs and spices, including cloves, black pepper, bay leaves, cardamom, red chilli, star anise and cumin. All of these ingredients are incredibly rich in antioxidants, which gives Garam Masala its magical anti-ageing properties!

5) Green cardamom powder

Cardamom is brilliant for oral health – it helps to fight tooth decay and gum disease, and also keeps bad breath, mouth ulcers and infections at bay. It has a huge amount of antioxidants, which protect the body against ageing and stress, and also has impressive preventative properties against diseases such as cancer; studies have shown that cardamom can inhibit the growth of and even kill some cancers.

6) Cinnamon

Cinnamon is well known for its sweet, slightly spicy taste, but not so much for its health benefits. It contains a compound called cinnamaldehyde, an antioxidant that fights inflammation, lowers cholesterol and helps to maintain stable blood sugar levels.

7) Dry basil

Basil tastes best combined with tomatoes and garlic – the foundations of a sauce that is not only delicious, but wonderfully good for your health too. The herb has anti-inflammatory properties that can bring relief to diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel conditions. It is also a natural cancer preventative, thanks to antioxidants that fight free radical damage and protect cell health.

8) Cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper has plenty of the fiery kick often associated with Indian herbs and spices, which is down to high amounts of a compound called capsaicin. This compound reduces appetite and enhances your body’s ability to burn fat, making it great for weight loss, plus it has been found to help combat lung, liver and prostate cancer.

9) Ginger

Ginger is a delightfully warming herb that can be used in both sweet and savoury dishes. It has been used for many years in medicine and is known for treating nausea and helping pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. Research has also shown that it can fight the pain and stiffness associated with osteoarthritis.

10) Thyme

Thyme isn’t an obvious contender for a list of Indian herbs and spices, but this pungent leaf is used in many Indian dishes. Thyme is excellent for healing respiratory problems like bronchitis, coughs and chest congestions. It is also packed full of vitamins A and C, which help you maintain a strong immune system.

Check out our healthy chicken curry recipe below to ensure you don’t cut quality whilst you may be cutting calories! All the ingredients you’ll need are linked! Happy cooking!

Ingredients - click the ingredients to find them in our online shop

1 tbsp coconut oil

10g grass-fed butter

3 cloves of garlic - crushed

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 tbsp Garam Masala

1 tsp Ground Coriander

Half tsp dried mint

570g of organic skinless chicken breast, diced

200 ml water

Method

Step 1 - Heat the coconut oil and the butter in a large frying pan

Step 2 - Add the garlic, onion and saute for about 5 minutes until the onion is golden brown

Step 3 - Stir in the Garam Masala, Coriander and Mint

Step 4 - Add the chicken and cook over a moderate heart for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally

Step 5 - Add the water, stir and simmer without a lid for a further 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked and the sauce has thickened.

Serve with a generous handful of chopped coriander!