I first moved to the ways of alternate and traditional healing when I became a mother.

Rather than giving my children a dose of antibiotics too strong for them, I scouted, tried and tested traditional remedies for nipping an allergy in the bud. 

There are so many natural healing options available today. I see more people steering towards natural living and it makes me happy.

Here’s a list of seven ingredients which can be found in most kitchens and how they can help us heal.

Honey:

Maybe your only use of honey until now has been on pancakes and in your teas, but did you know that honey has immense healing properties? A spoonful of organic honey taken twice a day can help to clear congestion. I use it not just for myself, but also for my twin boys who will soon be five years old.

Nutmeg:

I was introduced to this spice in my pregnancy. I had many a sleepless night until my doctor advised me to add a pinch of nutmeg powder to a glass of warm milk to consume before bed. It worked!

Turmeric:

This spice is used in a lot of Indian cooking and it enhances the flavor and color of the food. When I’m congested, I add 1/4 spoonful of turmeric powder to a cup of boiling milk and sip it. It eases the congestion and helps soothe a sore throat. I also apply a pinch of it small wounds to make it heal faster.

Ginger:

Ginger has healing properties. I love to sip on brewed ginger teas. It helps clear congestion and also helps us to detox. I like to consume this water at least thrice a week to keep toxins from building up.

Black peppercorn:

This spice also helps to get rid of congestion. Combine a few black peppercorns with crushed raw ginger and a few mint leaves in a pot of water. Let it simmer for at least five minutes and consume it throughout the day. I’ve found this an excellent remedy for getting rid of a cough and cold.

Peppermint Tea:

I use mint leaves to combat indigestion and insomnia. It also helps settle an upset stomach for kids as well as adults. To make an excellent detox drink, I just add mint leaves to a cup of boiling water, let it brew for a minute and sip it while it’s hot. I love to add a bit of honey if I’m in the mood for something sweeter.

Cloves:

Ever suffer from bad breath? Pop one clove in your mouth and let it stay there. The juices of the cloves mask the odor and keep bad breath at bay. If I have an irritating cough, I just eat one clove with one crystal of rock salt and it works wonders in helping to spit out the phlegm and get rid of the congestion. Cloves also help combat toothaches.

In our fast-paced world, we tend to ignore traditional remedies and opt for over-the-counter medicines, which often only mask symptoms and can become ineffective with prolonged usage. Traditional home remedies are a better choice because their ingredients have properties which help our bodies to heal.

These are seven spices I love to have in my kitchen—do you know of more healing spices?

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Editorial Assistant: Lauren Savory / Editor: Bryonie Wise

Photo: Nikki Hoffman / Flickr