11 Most Common And Healthy Indian Spices

Tuesday, March 25, 2014, 16:40 [IST]

Indian cuisine is well known for the eccentric use of spices. Indian dishes are flavoured using some popular spices. Spices, which are known as masala in Hindi, are found in almost every Indian dish, and are the heart of the kitchen. Today, Boldsky shares with you the healthy Indian spices that not only make the dishes tasty and aromatic but are also good for your body.

Every spice used in the Indian cuisine has a different aroma and flavour which makes the dish taste authentic. Spices have several health benefits and can be easily added to your diet. Ginger for example is an easily available spice that can cure morning sickness among pregnant women, and calms nausea too. Cumin seeds, a commonly used spice in Indian cuisine, are also available in every household. These small miniature seeds prevent cancer. It purifies the blood, cleans arteries and prevents blockages.

WAYS TO STORE INDIAN SPICES

Similarly, garlic, cinnamon, turmeric, nutmeg, mustard seeds, clove are other healthy and commonly used spices in Indian cuisine. Some spices are used in North India, whereas a few are most commonly found in south Indian dishes.

Here are the 11 most common yet healthy Indian spices which create magic in the dishes. These Indian spices are the soul of the kitchen. Take a look...

11 Most Common And Healthy Indian Spices:

HEALTHY SPICES TO SUPPRESS APPETITE

Cumin Seeds

Curcumin in cumin inhibits the enzymes that prevent cancer cells from entering the tissues. This healthy spice also prevents the formation of tumours in the blood vessels.

Turmeric

It is one of the most commonly used healthy Indian spices. Turmeric aids digestion, lowers bad cholesterol levels, aids weight loss and flushes out toxins from the body.

Red Chilli Powder

Also considered as the King of Spices, it is one of the spices which is a must in Indian dishes. It adds red colour to the dishes, makes it spicy and is healthy as well. Having this Indian spice aids weight loss, controls cholesterol levels and diabetes.

Ginger

Ginger is not just added in dishes but beverages as well. Ginger fights morning sickness, cold, cough, nausea, aids digestion and is also good for weight loss.

Garlic

Garlic is healthy for heart. A lot of Indian dishes are prepared using garlic just to get the aroma and flavour of the spice.

Green Cardamom

Green Cardamom is added in Indian desserts and the popular masala chai as well. Black cardamom are big ones which are used in main course dishes.

Cinnamon

Commonly known as dalchini, Cinnamon is used in rich and spicy foods like chana, rajma, pulao and biryani. Cinnamon balances low insulin and blood sugar levels in diabetics.

Coriander Seeds

Both the seeds and the grounded powder is one of the essential Indian spices used in almost all sabzis.

Asafoetida

Commonly known as hing, it is another commonly used Indian spice. It has a very strong aroma which adds a distinct flavour and taste to dishes like dals, sambhars and snacks. It treats male impotency, nervous disorders in kids, and treats women health problems such as sterility, difficult and painful menstruation, premature labour, among others.

Pepper

Both grounded and round black peppers are used extensively in Indian dishes. It tastes spicy and is a natural remedy for cold, cough and digestive problems.