The Healing Power of Alternative Medicine

The need for maintaining good health in this present day fast paced life has elicited widespread interest of everyone towards looking at the option of alternative medicine. It is indeed gratifying to note that items found in the kitchen shelf and various plants and herbs can be used to cure both major diseases like AIDS and Cancer to minor diseases like eye diseases, Rheumatism just to mention a few of them.

Infact, the patent for “HALDI” as commonly known in India or “Curcuma Longa” ranks equal to the potent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents found in allopathic medicines. The Government Of India challenged two scientist in USA who obtained patent for “HALDI” and after spending enormous amount of money and effort, it won the case.

The above example is only to cite ancient plants and herbs found in India which gives a natural cure without any side effects as compared to modern medicine.

Here, the importance and usage of alternative medicine comes to foray to save millions of people suffering with common ailments and with no respite from modern medicine.

It is in wake of this effective holistic healing provided by the herbs and plants, an attempt has been made to share the medicinal properties of Indian spices that can be used straight from the kitchen. These Indian spices not only contain medicinal properties but also enhance the taste and flavor of dishes when used in cooking. Some of the common ailments and their cure with the use of these spices is enlisted below :-

1)      Cumin, commonly known as Jeera in India can be used to treat indigestion. It should be added to boiling water for 2-3 minutes and the water to be strained and consumed to improve digestion. The same can be used as an antiflatulent by adding jaggery and rolled as a pill and taken thrice a day to relieve symptoms.

2)    Dhania or seeds of the Coriander Plant are often used for the treatment of sore throat and common cold. A decoction is prepared by boiling the seeds and should be consumed thrice a day to alleviate the symptoms. The coriander seeds also contain large amounts of vitamin A and can be used to treat eye problems. The coriander leaves contain other vital vitamins essential for human body such as B, B2 and C.

3)    Fennel Seeds or better known as Saunf in India is used as a excellent natural mouth freshener and hence served at the end of a meal in India. It is especially beneficial for throat infections and hoarseness in the throat. The treatment is to boil the fennel seeds in water till it is reduced to one quarter of its volume and then honey is added and the hot drink should be sipped slowly.

4)    Lovage seed or Ajwain is another plant which is available commonly in every home in India. Both the seeds and leaves of the plant when used regularly helps to prevent indigestion. It can be used as a carminative medicine especially for infants and children.

5)    Mustard or commonly known as Sarson in India is very beneficial when its poultice is applied locally in muscle injuries, sprains and joint injuries. It helps improve circulation of blood and helps in decreasing pain and inflammation. Mustard seeds put in water is used to induce vomiting, when a person has been poisoned.

The five spices discussed here posses medicinal properties and can be used as a home remedy. It is interesting to note that all the common ailments discussed above arise out of eating items from the kitchen and also has a solution to it from the kitchen itself.