Rainy seasons give us lush greenery and a woody earthy scent along with many diseases. However, you can easily keep safe from these health issues with spices. Spices are truly a taste-saver. But little did people know that they can also save us from common diseases that occur in Monsoon.
Hence, if you want to be safe and sound from viral ailments common on rainy days, make sure to use spices in your cooking. Here is a list of important spices you should buy and must include in your diet in monsoon to keep your health intact. If you live in or around Johannesburg, you can buy these spices from any nearby Indian spice wholesalers in Johannesburg. So, without any further adieu, let’s jump into a list of spices that you must have in monsoon season.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a gem in spices for having so many health benefits. This bright yellow powder not just lightens your food but also contains myriads’ medicinal properties that aid in the monsoon season. One of the prevalent diseases on rainy days is viral infections due to an increase in microbe-suitable environments. Turmeric is known for its antibacterial and anti-microbial properties and hence can fight off these common ailment aggregators in our body. According to several studies, this miracle spice can boost our immunity also. Its hot nature can keep us warm and well on these potentially cold-causing days.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is one of the staple spices in Indian cuisine. It has a sweet aromatic flavour that delights our tongue and olfactory senses. Cinnamon is a potent remedy against food poisoning. Since bacterial germination becomes widespread in monsoon, food poisoning is one of the common issues we deal with in this season. Cinnamon has antibacterial properties that can eliminate the risk of foodborne illness. It helps break down carbohydrates and regulate insulin production, lowering the risk of weight gain and diabetes. Cinnamon is very pungent and aromatic, so adding a pinch of cinnamon powder to our food can go a long way.
Black pepper
Black pepper was considered black gold in ancient times, as there was a heavy demand for this spice in the European market. This Indian spice brings a zing of taste to our food, along with many health benefits. According to Ayurveda, ancient Indian medicinal practices, black pepper has a warming nature, which helps relieve diseases caused by cool and rainy seasons. It helps relieve cough and decongestion. It has antibacterial properties, which aid in foodborne illness. Black pepper also cures common colds and influenza during the monsoon season. This spice is a good source of antioxidants, a property that helps improve our immunity.
Ginger
Ginger is a must-have spice in the monsoon season as it aids in cough and cold. It is packed with antioxidants that boost our immunity. Ginger also helps in our metabolism, helping in digestion-related issues. This spice is also revered as a natural expectorant, which means it loosens the mucus while also relieving lung tissues. As cold and congestion are common monsoon ailments, consuming ginger raw or in our food can really help. You can add ginger to your regular diet in many ways. Prepare a hot ginger tea or make ginger garlic paste and add it to your curries.
Cumin
Cumin has a pungent, woody smell that instantly enlivens any dish. Moreover, it has myriad health benefits that toss cumin as one of the potent herbal medicines. Monsoon seasons bring a lot of viral and stomach infections, and adding cumin can help a lot. Particularly, cumin regulates the digestive system by releasing digestive enzymes and bile from the liver. This spice also combines phytochemical components and strong antioxidants that boost our immunity and health. These are the two most notable properties of cumin, which makes this spice a must-have during monsoon season.
Asafoetida
The digestive system is one of the prime area’s monsoon affects our body. Due to this flatulence and other common stomach ailments becomes prevalent at this time. Asafoetida is a common spice that can help relieve flatulence. The components present in Asafoetida have antibacterial, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-flatulence, and laxative properties that aid in problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), flatulence, and upset stomach. Moreover, the bioactive compounds present in this spice have antiviral and antifungal properties. For this reason, it was used in 1918 against Spanish flu and also has shown great effects on H1N1, which states it can be a great remedy against influenza in monsoon.
Fennel seeds
This aromatic spice, often eaten as a mouth freshener after a meal has many benefits that keep your health intact in this rainy season. These tiny seeds contain active compounds that speed up the food digestion process. In Ayurveda, fennel seeds are considered ‘agnikrit’, which strengthens gut health. It also aids in chronic respiratory conditions. Having hot milk with fennel seed powder or chewing a few seeds after having meals can really benefit you.
Garlic
Garlic has a strong, pungent, and warm flavour. When roasted or fried, its flavour becomes milder and nutty. Although not originally an Indian spice, garlic is widely used in Indian cuisine. Since it has a warm nature, it is a great option to keep common monsoon illnesses such as cold and cough at bay. Garlic is a great immunity booster. It has a compound called allicin, which boosts the immune reaction of white blood cells against flu viruses. Moreover, It has antibacterial and antiviral properties that effectively fight microbial-borne ailments.
Carom seeds
Carom seeds are widely known as a digestion stimulators. It contains essential oils, bioactive compounds, and minerals that alleviate stomachache and nausea. Moreover, it also aids in nasal congestion. It has antioxidants that boost your immunity. Furthermore, cuts and wounds are more prone to infection in monsoons. If they take time to heal, they may get infected. Carom seeds have a compound called thymol which acts as a fungicide. Crushing some carom seeds and applying them to the wounds can help eliminate infection and also speed up the healing process.
Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek is a little unknown spice, but it offers great health benefits. Fenugreek seeds are packed with fibres, which help in peristaltic movement. It helps to restore the acid balance of the gut, and also treats upset stomach. Being hot in nature, these seeds help keep our bodies warm in this monsoon season. Fenugreek seeds also have vitamins C, A, and minerals. It regulates the sugar level in our bodies. However, people with intestinal ulcers should avoid consuming fenugreek seeds.
Wrapping up
Monsoon is a beautiful season but it brings a lot of diseases. Particularly viral and bacterial infections become widespread on rainy days. Spices are one of the great home remedies to treat almost every ailment. They are a great source of various anti-illness properties that cures the common cold, flu, and digestion-related issues. Hence, if you want to keep every disease at bay this monsoon, you must include these spices in your diet. To have a regular supply of fresh spices, you can buy wholesale spices from any spice exporter and store them in your kitchen for longer. So include these herbs into your diet to lead a healthy life.
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