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Universities claim: Herbs, spices offer healing power
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January 3, 2007
Curry for back pain, rosemary to ward off aging: The findings add a new dimension to the phrase "spice of life."
It's the natural stuff rather than concentrated pills or supplements that have more effective curative powers, University of Michigan researchers said yesterday when issuing a list of seasonings and herbs that are potent panaceas.
"Herbs and spices add flavor, but they also add health benefits. They can help maintain a healthy weight. Plus, they can help prevent certain cancers, and even lower blood pressure, control blood sugar and improve cardiovascular health," said Suzanna Zick, a nutritionist and epidemiologist in the university's Department of Family Medicine.
Serious medicinal properties are found in those fragrant leaves, fresh garlic and ginger, curry powder and cinnamon, she says, including cancer-fighting antioxidants, anti-viral agents and anti-inflammatories. Clever combinations such as basil and oregano are a good substitute for salt for those on low-sodium diets, while nutmeg, clove or cardamom can help temper a sweet tooth.
Though there may be some breath issues, garlic appears to help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. It also contains a sulfur compound that acts as a natural antibiotic, and it may decrease the risk of developing colorectal, prostate, breast, liver, skin and digestive tract cancers.
"For maximum benefit, you need to have about three medium cloves of garlic per day. Dry garlic or garlic left out too long lose their health benefits," Mrs. Zick said.
And dried herbs? They're as effective as fresh, leafy versions provided they are less than a year old, she adds.
"Rosemary is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants," Mrs. Zick said, noting that new research has found that it is helpful with memory loss and cancer prevention. Meanwhile, chronic coughs have responded to thyme.
"The health benefits of thyme are unique. It has been traditionally used to treat coughs, even whooping cough. Thyme is often drunk as a tea," she said.
Curry powder contains curcumin, a substance that works in a way similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Curry may decrease symptoms of arthritis, tendonitis and auto-immune diseases, and has been shown to shrink colon polyps, Mrs. Zick said.
Curry has fans elsewhere: Last year, Rutgers University researchers revealed that the bright yellow spice can ward off prostate cancer.
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine an agency of the National Institutes of Health with a $123 million annual budget also is investigating the health benefits of fresh food substances common to many larders. Chocolate, chamomile tea, cranberries, ginger, garlic and mushrooms are among those being tested in clinical trials.
The NIH researchers are persnickety, indeed. One study under way in conjunction with Stanford University is examining whether fresh garlic lowers cholesterol. Four groups of 200 volunteers each are swallowing either dried garlic, powdered garlic tablets, aged garlic extract or fresh garlic "study sandwiches" over a six-month period to determine which form best does the job.
[link to www.washtimes.com]
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