A Healer In Your Spice Rack

In your spice rack you have an array of healing medicines. They have no harmful side effects and for the most part, will play nicely with others. You can cook with them, make teas and infusions, and you can add them to just about anything to boost your health.

Our Grandmothers were practical. They kept things on hand to take care of minor health imbalances and knew what they had on hand to help ease their children. We've forgotten so much of that simple wisdom. There were practical reasons for spicing foods besides flavor.


1. Bay leaves help with muscle aches and migraines. You can make a simple bay leaf olive oil by steeping 25-30 bay leaves in a small bottle of virgin olive oil and leaving it in a sunny window for a month. Smooth on joints and muscles to relieve pain.

2. Pour hot water over cinnamon sticks to make a medicinal tea to soothe an upset stomach and it aids with diabetes as it lowers blood sugar levels.

3. Garlic can lower cholesterol and is anti viral and anti bacterial.

4. Basil, oregano are powerful antioxidants and anti-parasiticals. They help with digestion, gas and bloating. Basil also benefits the brain and the heart as it increases blood circulation.

5. Turmeric has the ability to detox and support the liver. Turmeric is also a blood thinner. Curcumin is in curry powder and turmeric, and it is being studied for its ability to reduce brain plaque which causes among other things, Alzheimer's.

6. Sage is good for psoriasis. Steep into a tea and then put in a spray bottle and spray on.

7. Ginger can be made into a tea as a remedy for nausea and motion sickness. It's great if you are pregnant.

8. Peppermint is another good herb for indigestion as it soothes and relaxes the stomach. Make peppermint tea for nausea. Peppermint is also good for heartburn and for headaches.

9. Thyme is for coughs as it breaks up mucus. Did you know it's an ingredient in Vick's vapo rub?

10. Honey and cinnamon has so many positive benefits. Best to keep it on hand and use it all the time. Insect bites, blood thinner, arthritis pain, helps the immune system, helps the stomach. Add it to any of the teas above. Let's put it this way-honey is medicinal and white sugar does nothing positive for us.

Explore the world of herbs and understand what you have available at your fingertips. Enjoy learning about this amazing world! And it's so tasty too :)