Kitchen Pharmacy - 1.2

Cumin – Jeera
Cumin is used in almost every Indian dish be it vegetarian or Non-veg, curry or dry preparation. Roasted cumin powder takes salted lassi, butter milk, raita, dahi wada & chaat to a different level, sprinkle some to feel the difference. Cumin can be used both whole & powder as well as raw & roasted.

•  The therapeutic effects of cumin seeds are mainly on stomach, intestines, & liver. Cumin strengthens these parts & lessens the chances of infection by fighting with microbes & bacteria.
• Cumin is most suitable home remedy for all symptoms that arise due to gas production in the abdomen.
• It also helps in removal of toxic sludge accumulated in the body due to undigested food, thus increase appetite & stimulates the taste glands.
• After delivery, many new mothers face problem of low breast milk supply. Cumin sweet (Jeera Pak) improves the production, taste & quality of milk & makes the milk easily digestible for the infant.
• Jeera Pak - Cumin seeds cooked in thick sugar syrup until hard ball stage poured over a greased surface with pure ghee. After cooling, it will harden. Break it in to small pieces & store in an airtight container. Give two pieces with glass of milk to feeding mother twice daily & you will be amazed by the results!!!

Carom Seeds - Ajwain
Carom seeds are an Indian spice & an Ayurvedic medicine. It is found in every kitchen in India & is used to enhance the aroma of the foods. Carom seeds are used in kebabs, tandoori fish, paneer tikka, poori, paratha, pakodas & many fried snacks.

• It used in digestive ailment, mental diseases & respiratory disorders.
• It is also a well-known home remedy used for a variety of health conditions such as abdominal pain, cramps, intestinal gas, indigestion, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, loose stool, breathing trouble & heaviness in abdomen after meal.
• Ajwain mixed with small amount of salt when sipped with warm water is very useful for treating indigestion & stomach pain.
• Paste of Carom & jaggery is also helpful in asthma treatment. Drinking carom tea helps provide relief from cold.

Poppy Seeds –Khus Khus
In India, poppy seeds’ paste is added to gravies for thickness, texture & flavor. Roasted poppy seeds are used in some Indian sweets as well. Western cuisine mainly uses poppy seeds in & top of many confectionery & baked products like burger buns, breads, bagels, rusk, cake & muffins.

• It has various properties such as aphrodisiac, analgesic, calmative, bactericidal, demulcent, expectorant, narcotic & sedative.
• Seeds & flowers of the herb are used for medicinal purpose. Poppy seeds are beneficial for good digestive system.
• Poppy seeds’ oil is used for treating breast cancer.
• Poppy seeds have rich carbohydrate content. Thus, enhance the energy levels.
• 30 grams of poppy seed milk mixed with sugar may give relief from insomnia.
• They are used as a cure for dysentery, dry roast ¼ teaspoon of poppy seeds till it becomes golden brown. Mix with honey & take twice a day for three days maximum as it has tranquilizing properties.
• Apply Poppy paste on skin to cure burning sensation & itching.
• Poppy is beneficial for treating rheumatism & arthritis.

Mustard Seeds – Sarson- Rai 
One of the oldest spices known to mankind have been around for 5 millenniums & talked about in almost all religious scriptures. A great source of Omega 3 fatty acid, they have plenty of benefits as the tiny balls are low in calories & high in nutritional value. Mustard can be used whole, crushed, powdered, paste, oil & leaves form. Ready to eat mustard’s variety needs no introduction & their usages depends upon personal creativity & the taste goes well with anything & everything of course not with desserts but starters, salads, sandwiches, burgers, hot dog, steaks, poultry & seafood. Mustard's unique aroma makes it the most important ingredient for tempering, pickling, gravies & kebab marinades In India. Internationally also, mustard is used in rubs, marinades, dressings & sauces. One must reserve a space on your dining table, plate & kitchen for mighty little flavor bombs.

• Oil extracted from the seeds is good for skin because of its antibacterial, antiseptic & high anti-inflammatory quality, produces warmth when applied & relieves pain.
• Mustard seeds are excellent for digestion because they increase the metabolism rate of your body.
• They are also beneficial for menopausal women who have trouble sleeping.

Garam Masala 

It is a powdered blend of the exotic Indian spices. It should be used at the end of cooking, just a sprinkle over the dish when serving. This spice mixture can be used in curries, lentils, pulao & biryani.

• Garam Masala does not only enhance the taste of food, but it was formulated to prevent water-borne diseases & abdominal disorders.
• It prevents appetite loss & Indigestion.
• Reduces white tongue & intestinal gas gurgling sound from abdomen.

Curry Powder – Mixture of Indian spices
Curry powder is a mixture of some Indian spices invented by the British to savor the curry flavor of Indian cuisine without much heat. In India, curry powder is not used much as every region or every family has their own recipes for curry mixes. It is used to add aroma in soups, stews, sauces, marinades, meats & vegetables. 

• Spices used in curry powder have an influence on the digestive system. It stimulates the secretion of gastric juices & bile from the liver. Therefore, it may cause burning sensation & other symptoms of gastritis sometimes. 
• People suffering with gastritis & ulcers should avoid it.
• Curry powder lessens swelling, pain & stiffness in the joints.

Baking Soda –Soda –Bi -Carb
Apart from the culinary usages, baking soda has plenty of other uses as well including medicinal.

• One tea spoon baking soda dissolved in glass of cold water & sipped slowly can relieve acidity, acid reflux or heart burn immediately.
• Brushing your teeth with baking soda twice a week will whiten the teeth. Ran out of mouth wash? don’t worry, dissolve half a tea spoon of baking soda in warm water & use it like mouth wash because of its antibacterial properties it will remove malodour creating bacteria as well.
• Rubbing the baking soda over bug bite or bee sting reduces the pain & swelling instantly. Make a thick paste of baking soda, corn flour & coconut oil & apply over itchy skin to get relief.
• Soaking vegetables & fruits in baking soda solution for fifteen minutes helps to get rid of most pesticides used.

These were a few spices which are the most common ones in our kitchen. It is high time and the best time to understand the importance of our ancient medical system and reap its benefits. This will not only save us from this pandemic but give us a healthier and a more sustainable life in the long run. There are so many more spices and herbs about which I will mention in my future posts. So, stay tuned!!