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One of the main advantages of spices is their high content of antioxidants. They help neutralize free radicals that damage the body. In addition, spices reduce blood cholesterol levels, normalize hormonal levels, activate metabolic processes, and help to lose weight. What spices are good for health?
LEARN MORE! Did you know that spices help improve the quality of microflora? Read more in our special project. Bacteria for happiness and health.

The benefits of spices
1. Cardamom for weight loss
A very useful spice — cardamom: increases efficiency, improves well-being during PMS, helps to reduce weight. If you want to lose weight, add 1/4 tsp. cardamom in tea or coffee.
2. Vanilla for the mood
Vanilla is considered one of the most valuable spices. Its smell improves mood, helps fight depression, stimulates the production of hormones of joy. To relieve tension, add 1–2 drops of vanilla oil to the aroma lamp and enjoy the smell.
3. Star anise for cough and insomnia

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Star anise (star anise) is good for sore throats and as an expectorant. No wonder it is often used in cough syrups. In nursing mothers, star anise increases lactation. For insomnia, drink tea with this spice (0.5 tsp per 200 ml of water). And if you have a cough, take inhalations. Brew 1 tbsp. l. star anise with boiling water and breathe.
4. Allspice for colds
Allspice is able to give energy, a charge of strength and vivacity. And its oil is a good antiseptic. Allspice is also useful for stomach disorders, bloating and flatulence. In folk medicine, it is used in the treatment of rheumatism. With hypothermia and the first signs of a cold, prepare a delicious warming drink. Add a few peas of allspice to tea, 1 tsp. ginger and 1 tsp. honey. You will immediately feel better.
5. Cloves for toothache

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Clove is a strong antiseptic. During epidemics of acute respiratory viral infections, clove oil is recommended for use in aromatherapy. It is also good in inhalation for colds. In addition, cloves help relieve toothache and freshen breath. To eliminate bad breath (halitosis), it is recommended to chew a clove bud. Or brew a few flowers with boiling water and rinse your mouth.
6. Coriander for the stomach
Coriander is used to make medicines that improve digestion. It is especially useful for chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers (but not during an exacerbation!), Chronic constipation.
1 tsp crushed seeds pour a glass of boiling water, insist overnight in a thermos, strain. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day to improve digestion and metabolism.
7. Cinnamon for energy and weight loss

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Cinnamon is a versatile spice. It increases concentration and relieves fatigue, helps to normalize metabolic processes and lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It also reduces blood pressure, improves digestion and has antimicrobial properties (helps keep food at home longer).
To feel cheerful all day, add 1 tsp to 1 liter of hot water. cinnamon, 1 tsp ginger, 3 tsp honey, juice of 1/2 lemon or apple, let it brew. Drink throughout the day as tea. Cinnamon also helps in weight loss. To 200 ml of 1% kefir, add 1/4 tsp. cinnamon and 1 tsp. bran and drink instead of dinner.
Harm of spices

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Unfortunately, spices can have a negative effect on our body. Basically, the harm of spices is associated with their excessive consumption and with the presence of any chronic diseases. For example, people suffering from hypertension and hypotension should not abuse salt and hot spices. Coriander It is strictly forbidden for heart patients who have had a heart attack and stroke, hypertensive patients and patients with thrombophlebitis.
Red and black pepper, mustard, ginger should not be used for gastritis or other gastric diseases. In large quantities Bay leaf can be very dangerous for people with kidney, liver and heart disease, for pregnant women. A large number of nutmeg may cause headache, dizziness, nausea and loss of consciousness. Turmeric it is better to exclude from the diet of patients with cholelithiasis. anise, cinnamon and oregano dangerous to use during pregnancy.