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20 Common Cooking Ingredients that Also Work as Medications

remedicated.com — The use of herbal treatments for everything from sore throats to cancer has become more and more common with every passing year. We all know about the herbal supplements like St. John ’s Wort that can help you with chronic health problems, but did you know that many common edible herbs can provide impressive health benefits?

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  • allaboutdatiki, on 05/22/2008, -3/+8Damn I'm hungry now ... for some healthy food, of course! =)
    • sterntastic223, on 05/22/2008, -3/+8Damn, I'm sick... better rub a cheeseburger all over my body =)
    • DesiGUY, on 05/22/2008, -0/+3Go git some Indian food... Almost 15 of the ingredients mentioned in the article are used in making curry.
  • embeemb, on 05/22/2008, -15/+3I don't care how healthy ginger is.. it still and will always taste like crap IMO
    • holysocks, on 05/22/2008, -0/+3weak
    • Rikkochet, on 05/22/2008, -0/+7You need to cook around ginger and not just add it to a meal that can do without it. And for god's sakes, it needs to be finely, finely chopped. Nobody likes a big chunk of ginger if their taste buds still work. It's an absolutely terrific addition to food for the flavours it imparts to the other food - not from eating it itself.
  • GregFD3S, on 05/22/2008, -2/+23"Another study found that cinnamon may help to lower cholesterol as well."

    Break out the cinnamon glazed donuts, time to lower my cholesterol!
    • VeritasAequitas, on 05/22/2008, -1/+7Problem is, most things commercial that are "cinnamon" are actually not, Cinnamon is actually fairly expensive and they have managed to find replacements :(
      • Ganpachi, on 05/22/2008, -0/+4Penzey's Spices has amazing cinnamon and tumeric and are much more affordable than their McCrapic's counterparts
      • quill, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2Aye, Cassia is what is found almost exclusively. It actually has a stronger flavour than real cinnamon.

        Wikipedia has this to say:
        "All of the powdered cinnamon sold in supermarkets in the United States is actually Cassia. European health agencies have recently warned against consuming high amounts of cassia, due to a toxic component called coumarin. [...] Coumarin is known to cause liver and kidney damage in high concentrations."
    • genconkeeper, on 05/22/2008, -1/+1Because I grind up some of my meds cause they are big all big old honking pills and mix them with applesauce. Since it tasted awful I would mix in a big spoonful of cinnamon to improve the taste. Then I read the studies that it was good for my type 2 and was lowered my cholesterol. Plus it tasted good.
  • ICSU, on 05/22/2008, -5/+10To sum it up
    Vegetables, fruits and herbs are good for you.
  • fluidfoundation, on 05/22/2008, -1/+8I love to cook with wine. Sometimes I put it in the food.
  • EserVerx, on 05/22/2008, -4/+8http://www.420magazine.com/forums/420-kitchen/3770 ...

    They forgot cannabutter :)
  • withears, on 05/22/2008, -14/+2It's crap like this that pisses me off!
  • uniformeddate, on 05/22/2008, -23/+0http://www.UniformedDate.com A free date place for u find ur military girl/boy
  • camaroz06, on 05/22/2008, -10/+1Lets not forget about Nutmeg....that there is some good "medication"

    My roomate took some....high for a few days.
  • Doerrt08, on 05/22/2008, -5/+25Cannabis?
  • degron, on 05/22/2008, -7/+4Om nom nom nom
  • FuXe, on 05/22/2008, -3/+5Yes!
    I can't help but wonder if some people were hoping that MSG, cooking oils, and high fructose corn syrup would make the list.
    Keep in mind that all of these ingredients are up to 80% more effective at creating health then the cooked counterpart.

    I adopted a raw vegan lifestyle almost 2 years ago and have included all of these foods in my routine. Since then, I have lost 70 lbs and experienced more amazing health then I previously thought was even possible. I've only been sick once in that time and have almost as much energy as a kid. I love seeing this info hit more mainstream. Put more living into your life!
    • aukxsona, on 05/22/2008, -1/+1Veganism is a very nice life...I was vegan and was never happier. Then i moved south where vegetables are a rarity.
      • xstarsprinklesx, on 05/23/2008, -0/+1What south do you live in? Being vegan is easy as hell in Florida.
    • bassik, on 05/22/2008, -2/+1i was vegan for a year and hated every second of it. after that i was Semi-vegetarian for a year (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semi-vegetarianism ) but i missed bacon. so i went back to a NATURAL human diet of being an omnivore, however with a greater amount of greens and veggies compared to meats. i can tell you this much. i have never felt better. and when i crave a nice medium rare steak. i eat one.
      • FuXe, on 05/23/2008, -0/+1To each their own. Glad to hear you're including more greens and veggies. Our modern diet is severely lacking in those areas. Just by doing that you're making up a huge nutritional deficit.

        I can't help but wonder if the reason you 'hated' being vegan was due to a lack of options/education on how to really enjoy the lifestyle... There is a steep learning curve to eating 'raw'. Once you're over it you find that the variety and depth of food choices far outweighs that of the conventional modern diet. Not to mention the pure pleasure of the prepared foods...

        As far as omni being 'Natural' Thats as much an Ideology as is 'raw veganism'.

        I could really go on and on with this topic.. and I intend to. I'm starting a Podcast with my wife and this will be just one of the many 'lifestyle upgrade/tweak' topics we'll be discussing.
  • MrVeal, on 05/22/2008, -3/+021. Crack Coccaine - Great for weightloss.
    • stonebear, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1And you keep it off because your teeth are gone.
  • sixsicsix, on 05/22/2008, -0/+7Cayenne Pepper is very good too, surprised it's not in there...

    http://www.regenerativenutrition.com/content.asp?i ...

    • Amadeus2490, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1Cayenne Pepper would be considered under the "Chile Pepper" category. Eating real, raw and non-irradiated peppers is far better for you *and contains much more bio-available vitamin C).
    • zephyr42, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2Cayenne Pepper and Raman noodles is how I survive college.
  • cubicrystal, on 05/22/2008, -1/+3Essentially ALL spices are good for you. In moderation. Please do not OD on the nutmeg. TKS.
  • Ganpachi, on 05/22/2008, -0/+8Turmeric + Garlic + Ginger + Chili Powder + Mustard + Onions + Olive Oil + Lemon = A base for a really awesome curry.

    Stirfry everything together, and then add to a pot of cooked lentils, and spoon over a bed of brown rice and baby, you got a stew!

    oddly enough that is more or less exactly what I am having for lunch today (+ cilantro and cumin!)
    • aukxsona, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1Thanks for the recipe. I will try that. I have a 5 gallon bucket of lentils and a 5 gallon bucket of rice and I am really sick of only using salt to season.
    • sgtpppr, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1Hopefully not at work. You must be the one with the stinkiest lunch.
  • liuite, on 05/22/2008, -0/+521. water - especially if you are dehydrated
    22. yogurt- probiotics for you immune system
    23. raw cider vinegar
    24. cilantro - aphrodisias, appetite stimulant
    the list goes on and on
    • Amadeus2490, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2Make sure the yogurt has no hormones, and clearly says :"Live, Active Cultures" somewhere on the label. Otherwise, you're just eating it because it tastes good.
      • neognostic, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2Check out Kefir, it has 10 times the number of different live cultures over yogurt. I have been eating 4 ounces a day of it for 6 months. Haven't had a single sick day, but I'm surrounded by people who have missed many days.
        • Amadeus2490, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1I'm aware of Kefir, but I haven't tried it yet due to the high price. From what I understand, the "real" health nuts purchase Kefir grains and suspend them in organic/raw milk.
    • blast_flame, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1@5. Dehydrated water...
  • aatishshah, on 05/22/2008, -0/+5I use almost 50-60% of the things mentioned here everyday. No wonder Indian food is so good and healthy. Ancient techniques of Indian cooking is now being realised by the world, but sadly Indian cooking is being affected by so many other unhealthy ingredients like ghee (clarified butter), oil. its the quantity used thats making it bad
  • holysocks, on 05/22/2008, -4/+2and that's why asians are young and healthy
  • nvillalobos, on 05/22/2008, -1/+6Also check out coconut oil. Frying up some eggs in the morning with it or putting it on some greens (sauteeing) is so tasty! I went poking around for a site that could explain how coconut oil is a good fat and I found this nice man in his kitchen:

    http://products.mercola.com/coconut-oil/
    • Amadeus2490, on 05/22/2008, -0/+2My family uses coconut oil about 98% of the time. The other 2% would be olive oil.
    • nvillalobos, on 05/22/2008, -1/+2Good way to go! I'm also a big olive oil user but want to incorporate more coconut oil. Yum.
    • kdepa, on 05/22/2008, -2/+1Actually, olive oil is far healthier than coconut oil. Coconut oil will raise your cholesterol
      • Amadeus2490, on 05/23/2008, -0/+1Coconut oil does not raise low-density lipo-protein levels in the circulatory system. /nerd glasses.

        "Over many decades coconut oil received bad publicity due to its saturated fat content, but research has shown that not all saturated fats are alike and coconut oil is unique in its structural make-up. It is not only the highest source of saturated fats (92%) but included in this is the highest source of saturated medium chain triglycerides (62%) of any naturally occurring vegan food source. Furthermore around 50% of these MCT�s are made up of lauric acid, the most important essential fatty acid in building and maintaining the body�s immune system.

        Apart from coconut oil, the only other source of lauric acid found in such high concentrations is in mother�s milk. Tropical oils and mother�s milk are by far the richest food sources of medium chain fatty acids available. "

        http://www.coconut-connections.com/
  • known, on 05/22/2008, -2/+3http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/
  • Amadeus2490, on 05/22/2008, -1/+2http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

    This site has actual studies that you can read, compared to the list submitted to Digg, which just says "studies say" over and over again.
  • fas2, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1Fortieth!
  • BeardedRooster, on 05/22/2008, -1/+2Its not just 20 things that help. All natural foods impact the body in one way or another.

    Some warm the body, some cool it. Some tonify it, some help expel toxins. Eating the appropriate food is the best medicine you can give yourself. And you do it 3x per day.

    Look up 'The Tao of Nutrition' by Maoshing Ni
  • johanm, on 05/22/2008, -2/+1you guys should come try my heroin alfredo
  • stonebear, on 05/22/2008, -1/+2Jerry Brunetti ~ Food As Medicine
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-884123432 ...
    http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-779811715 ...
  • apuent, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1I will typically use the first 14 on the list when I make curry. I love not getting sick anymore. If I ever feel a cold coming on, I just load up on garlic, vitamin c, and will eat mostly curry (which is not only healthy, but cheap and easy to make) during that time. Cold will be gone after a couple days. In 3 years, I have really only been sick once.
  • DeFex, on 05/22/2008, -1/+4The spice must flow!
  • Verfel, on 05/22/2008, -1/+1Be wary of rosemary, it was used by prostitutes in earlier times as a method of abortion. Given they had to take near lethal doses to assure its usage but regardless, best for pregnant women to stay away from it.
  • isaactwito, on 05/22/2008, -3/+1Weed, pot, ganja, mary jane, sticky icky, nug.
    • JoskiiWoskii, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1I was just about to post, "They forgot Marijuana and Hemp Oil"
  • clynnc, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1Another honey benefit...If you have a lot of seasonal environmental allergies, eating a couple tablespoons of locally produced honey a day in the spring can really help.
    • Ellipsys, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1Not sure why you've been dug down. Organic, unstrained, unheated honey contains a lot more then that clear stuff that's in the little bear-shaped container. There are enzymes, vitamins, minerals, propolis, maybe even some royal jelly, and pollen, just to name a few ingredients. There have been preliminary studies that show that introducing honey will help will allergies, possibly because of its "safe" introduction of pollen.
  • Ellipsys, on 05/22/2008, -1/+1This is more in relation to the submitter's comments than the article, but please don't take St. John's Wort without researching its interactions. Of all the herbal medicines, St.John's Wort has some of the most evident actions, including those similar to antidepressants. Check the interactions - it has been known to interact both with SSRIs, and birth control pills.
  • pibs, on 05/22/2008, -0/+0Mustard can also be applied to burns for a quick relief of pain.
  • HerbalSonia, on 05/22/2008, -0/+0mmmm makes me want to go shopping.
  • bigd063, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1Poppy seeds beat all.
  • KtownReject0358, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1Makes me want to cook now.
  • Yage2006, on 05/22/2008, -0/+1But did you know that herbel medicine such as St. John ’s Wort are complete nonsense ?
    None of these alt meds are worth a damn
    Do a little research into studies regarding any of these. Its pretty much universally *****.

    /Buried.


    Now I have to go cash that check from big pharma lol
    • FuXe, on 05/23/2008, -0/+1Do even more research and you'll find all sorts of people curing themselves of cancer/arthritis/diabetes/etc... etc.. I've met alot of these people who've done as much.
  • debknowles, on 05/22/2008, -0/+0There is lots of research related to the effectiveness of herbs for health. Our web site http://www.supplementinfo.org allows you to look up any herb and find out more about it. You can also look up medical issues and find out what research has shown about herbs and that issue. An example is http://www.supplementinfo.org/ginger. We are a not for profit group that provides education — we sell no products. Please take advantage of this free, objective resource.
  • Daggerfall, on 05/23/2008, -0/+1"I have a degree in homeopathic medicine"
    "You have a degree in baloney!"
  • DestroyFascism, on 05/23/2008, -0/+1Pepper (Black) stops you bleeding. Green pepper (Fresh) is a strong antibiotic.
  • Emma1989, on 05/23/2008, -0/+0Thanks for the link! Some of them i knew before, others are new and very interesting for me.
  • luiyuming, on 05/27/2008, -0/+0Great list! I believe in using nutrition from food to build immunity against common, daily illnesses.
  •  

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