Did you know that there are seven everyday spices you likely have in your house right now that are the simplest, least expensive home remedy to keep you healthy all winter long?
They can be your secret weapon and first defense when anyone around you gets sick or at the first sign of feeling under the weather yourself.
Different spices have different immune-boosting properties, and they actually work better when combined.
Heating them up releases their nutritive properties for greater potency.
So, what are the seven super stars for today?
1: Turmeric has an immune-modulating effect, because it is detoxifying and supportive to the liver. It will help you scavenge free radicals and toxins that could be bringing you down.
2: Freshly ground black pepper increases vigor by reaching deeper tissues (and when combined with turmeric, absorption of turmeric is increased three-fold). Black pepper is heating to the body to help deepen the affect of the rest of the spices.
3: Cumin enhances digestion and increases the bioavailability of the other five spices. Cumin stimulates the pancreas to produce more pancreatic enzymes improving digestion tremendously.
4: Coriander is exceptionally high in vitamin C, a natural antibacterial and detox spice that chelates metals, aids in liver function, and helps improve digestion. Coriander works better when combined with fennel.
5: Fennel stimulates the secretion of digestive and gastric juices, while reducing inflammation of the stomach and intestines, and facilitating proper absorption of nutrients from the food. It is your best spice to alleviate constipation.
6: Ginger contains natural anti-inflammatory properties, helps kill bad bacteria and viruses, combats cold and fever, and inhibits the production of cytokines (which cause pain and swelling).
7: Cinnamon is rich in plant compounds that inhibit bacterial growth and stabilize blood sugar. You’ll want to make sure you’re using real cinnamon, which is called Ceylon cinnamon. This is the true cinnamon spice that has a profound healing effect for diabetics and those struggling with weight and cholesterol issues. It’s native to Sri Lanka and comes from the plant Cinnamomum Zeylanicum.
In contrast is Cassia cinnamon found on most grocery store shelves. This is not an effective food as medicine spice and comes from a completely different plant called Cinnamomum Cassia, so please don’t skimp on your spice quality!
You can see, combining the power of all of these spices together provides a solid defense to keep you healthy and strong.
It’s the measurements and the synergy of how the spices all work together that will add a shot of health to every organ and gland and boost your immunity to keep you above the bugs that are dragging everyone else down.
Heat 1-teaspoon spice mixture with 1-tablespoon ghee or butter on medium-high heat, until the mixture releases an aroma.
Remove from the heat immediately. Add to cooked brown rice, soups, fish, chicken, salads, vegetables, or any other savory food.
What do you think, easy enough? Post a comment below and let us know if you’re game to try it!
Wish you had a print option
Hi, I just turned 30 and have hashimotos. Obviously I’m going to jump in and try what I can. I’m writing because my father whom was recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism, is constantly having problems with his legs and feet. They swell, turn red, hurt to the point that he can barely move. Would love to know what your thoughts are, and if you suspect an underlying condition. Please help. Doctors give him antibiotics and water pills. Nothing is helping!!!
Hi Sarah, We find the vast majority of the time Hashimoto’s starts with a gut infection that needs to be cleared so that the thyroid stops attacking itself. Here is a gut video series that explains that you can start healing yourself from the root cause. https://thewholejourney.com/programs/gut-thrive/ As for your father, it’s important for him to see a practitioner to get to the root of the swelling. We love Dr. Jack Tips over at WellnessWiz.com for this. Hope this helps and good luck to both of you with your health.
I definitely will try it. Thanks.
I will try it! But where can I get Ceylon cinnamon?
I buy Ceylon cinnamon on Amazon from Dyesta, family owned since 1935. It is wonderful!
Hi Lillian, You can find Ceylon cinnamon at most grocer stores. ~Stacey, TWJ Team Member
Hi Lillian,
I second that. I usually visit http://www.spicely.com, they carry Cylon cinnamon (True Cinnamon) in glass jars and check the store locator to see what stores near you carry Spicely Organics.
love this…so simple. Athen Indians were onto something with all those curries. Thanks Christa
Christa….are any of these components not recommended for estrogen positive breast cancer recovery? thank yo xo
Looks great. Will try it very soon. I have all the spices!
Great, Carol! You can make a big batch to last all winter. 🙂
Smells awesome. Will try using it to night.
Could you use coconut oil if you are diary free? Would it still work the same?
Christa, I’m going to start adding this to our daily cup of hot bone broth!
This is awesome!! THANK YOU FOR THIS! Such a great clip too 🙂
Hi, this is a great mix. I have been using a similar one with 3 parts cardamom and more ginger without the cinnamon. I will try adding the cinnamon. Great for bowel health and energy, especially for the over 40 crowd. I use coconut oil with this mix.
Sounds fantastic!! I love all of these spices. I could open a bottle of fennel and smell it all day. Some people don’t really like it all that much but I just love it. I will be making this right away.
What about Cardamom Christa? Does it have any great health benefits?
Cardamom is great and wonderful for digestion Kelli!
I just combined all the spices. It smells wonderful! How often should we use it to get the effects? Thanks!
Thanks. Christa. I use all of these herbs/spices+ but always wondered what proportions would make for a synergistic effect. Thanks for saving me the research time and for the delish recipe. Love the “whole” information and I appreciate your insights!
Sounds great! I’ll try it.
This sounds amazing and will have to try it – will let you know results in a few weeks! Thanks for sharing this spice mixture!
Made it right away and used it on two salads that I’m making for a trip. It gives both a wonderful flavor, which using just one or two doesn’t do. So glad to see this link and get immediate benefits! Thanks Christa!
It shocks me how rude some people are! You are spending your time and energy to share with us and people get rude. Anyways thank you very much for the recipe. I for one have never had this, nor heard of combining them. I have just recently started using tumeric and have been enjoying it. I plan to make this up this weekend if not sooner and look forward to using it. Do you think it matters about the ghee verses coconut oil?
Bonnie, I don’t think Sue was being rude. It’s not rude to state a fact, and buying a nicely-mixed masala, that has the spices one likes, isn’t a bad idea. Perhaps, “tone” is hard to detect in the written word – you know, how careful you have to be when you write an email compared to when you’re talking face to face with someone!
I am so trying this! Thanks, Christa!
This is great. Very tasty. I’m not a fan of fennel, but I don’t mind it too much.Thanks for the recipe.
I love these spices. I added it to my chicken bone broth. It was delicious!
This is not a new idea, this combination of spice powders is used everyday in the Indian households and has been used for ages. You can also buy it in the Indian stores anywhere. Look for the packets labeled ‘Garam Masala’ or other masalas in the Spices aisle and read the ingredients list.
Well a lot of people use this combo, but it’s nice to be reminded of the seasonings and the benefits. Don’t rain on everyone’s parade, who are enjoying this. And you know there may be some people like a good friend of mine that has never had this combo (Mid- West meat and potatoes type of person, doesn’t like to stray), that actually liked this. It was his first taste of spice in this combo other than, Basic salt and pepper and basic Italian seasonings and Latin seasonings. He knows nothing about curries or anything like that, so I say win, win.
Sue, I think this is a great idea for those who do not have, nor have heard of, all the spices Christa is using for this mixture. Even garam masalas are mixed with slightly different ingredients depending on who you get them from or if you make your own. Reading the label for the ingredients in the masala to make sure it has most/all of the spices Christa has incorporated is a good idea. This can be an easy alternative for “trying” the combinations before going and buying all the individual spices and making your own. Just like “curries” are mixtures of different spices (in amts & types), garam masalas are the same way. Ethnic sections of grocery stores or ethnic grocery stores are the best places to find a masala to try. I appreciate your putting this out for folks who are hesitant to spend the money on all the spices if they don’t have them in their kitchen already. I, personally, make my own curries mixtures and masala mixtures but will include Christa’s combination/measurements as an addition to my spice mixtures. Thank you very much Christa! and Sue for the idea!
How much is a part – teaspoon, tablespoon?
I’m using Teaspoons because I’m using a small container. I want to make sure it all fits in.
A “part” is any sized measuring tool you decide to use ( a teaspoon, a tablespoon, a cup, or even a bucket!). It means you simply use the same tool for each ingredient, filling it once or twice or one-fourth…whatever the recipe says. The total amount of the mixture you end up with is dependant on the size of the tool you decide to use.
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All my favorite spices (except for fennel-and I’m sure I’ll be OK with that too since it is mixed with other wonderful flavors.) I have a milk protein allergy, but I make my own ghee. It works beautifully This immunity spice mixture will be MY new secret weapon! Can’t wait to share with friends and clients.
Yeah I’m not a fennel lover either, but it was tasty.
Another wonderful creation from our one and only Christa Orecchio. Thank you for sharing and caring. Made some organic chicken soup last night that included most of these spices and it was wonderful.
Thanks Cindy. 🙂 Sounds delicious to add it to your soup!
I love these spices! I use them almost every day (usually separately – great idea combining them!). I would also suggest adding cloves; they have a lot of anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits as well and I think they would work well with the combo you listed. 🙂
‘Everyone’ cannot eat ghee. You may be able to and it may work for some with dairy issues but ‘everyone’ cannot. Nice recipe.
Try Coconut oil. I don’t think it has to be ghee. I just think that that is the option that she prefers.
Maybe stretching our minds, oh, say, a milimeter (don’t want to get too crazy) and adding it to another healthy, organic fat such as grapeseed oil or coconut oil would be more digestable for some.
Looking forward to making some of this mixture tonight! I have a daughter in daycare and she brings home EVERY single strand of cold.
Wow, sounds so wonderful! Can’t wait to try it!