11 Herbs & Spices that Fight Cancer – Spice Up Your Food & Health

Historically, spices have played a significant role. Even explorers like Columbus were trying to find India in search of spices. Spices and herbs are not only used for flavor, garnish and color, but also as medicine for their potential health benefits.

Recent studies show that certain food items can be effective weapons against cancer. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry says that, “A growing body of epidemiological and preclinical evidence points to culinary herbs and spices as minor dietary constituents with multiple anticancer characteristics. This review focuses on the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and antitumorigenic properties of herbs and spices; their ability to influence carcinogen bioactivation; and likely anticancer contributions.”

Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition says that, “Herbs and spices are beneficial for us because of the antioxidants, but their health benefits may also come from their ability to influence a number of cellular processes, and their ability to boost your energy and metabolism.”

Below is a list of 11 spices and herbs that are known to reduce the risk of cancer and boost the immune system.

1. Allspice

Ground allspice arises from the dried unripe berries of the tree Pimenta dioica. It’s a wonderful spice, and the benefits of this spice are often neglected. Allspice is claimed to have antioxidant, antimicrobial,anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antitumorigenic properties.

2. Basil

If you are familiar with Italian, Asian, and Indian cousins, you are probably already familiar with basil. Sweet basil is probably one of the most commonly used culinary herbs in many of the exotic dishes.

It’s also one of the most frequently examined herbs for its health benefits. A variety of components such as 1, 8 – cineole, linalool, eugenol and estragole, make basil an anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral herb, and also a powerful cancer fighter.

3. Cayenne Pepper

The cayenne is known as the cow-horn pepper, bird pepper, aleva, or red pepper in its powdered form. It is a hot chili pepper used to add flavor to many hot and spicy dishes. It becomes red when ripened, but can also be eaten while still green. It’s known to boost body temperature, help in weight loss, and curb appetite. It has capsaicin that helps prevent prostate cancer and kills other cancer cells in the body.

4. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a popular medical spice around the world. It comes from the bark of an evergreen tree, belonging to the Lauraceae family. Cancer fighting ingredients in cinnamon include cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, terpinene, carvacrol, pinene, linalool, safrole, benzyl benzoate, and coumarin.

5. Clove

Clove is another powerful spice that’s known for its cancer fighting traits. It’s especially effective in detoxifying and modifying cellular detoxification processes.

6. Cilantro

Cilantro or Chinese parsley is a common ingredient for cooking in many countries of the world. The fresh green leaves are also edible as salad or garnish. One of the powerful ingredients of cilantro is linalool, which promotes the hepatic antioxidant system.

7. Dill

Dill is a perennial herb which grows in the early spring or in the autumn. Both its seeds and green leaves are useful. Dill is known for its detoxifying properties. It also helps protect cells against free-radicals and maintains cellular oxidation-reduction balance.

8. Fennel

Fennel belongs to the Apiaceae family. This hardy, perennial, umbelliferous herb is very popular around the world. It’s loaded with phytonutrients and antioxidants that effectively fight against cancer cells.

9. Garlic

Garlic has been one of the most commonly used spices around the world and also in the natural medicine realm. It’s known for fighting cholesterol, high blood pressure, and also used for weight loss. Garlic is especially becoming a center of attraction among naturopath practitioners, due to its cancer fighting properties.

10. Turmeric

Turmeric has been used as an herbal medicine for many years in Eastern Ayurveda medicine. It’s also used as a spice and to add color in food. It’s a strong antibacterial and antifungal plant that contains powerful polyphenol Curcumin, which is powerful against fighting cancer cells.

11. Ginger

Ginger has many health benefits. Chew a piece of ginger during meals and you’ll be able to digest food better. It also helps with stomach irritation, and it’s especially known for its body warming, it’s antitumorigenic properties and anti-inflammatory properties.

Conclusion

You can easily boost your health, immune system and fight cancer naturally, just by including some superfoods in your daily diet. These are natural herbs and spices that not only spice up your food but have nutrients to boost your health, fight cancer, and nourish your body naturally.

If you still find your immune system lagging, you may need a thymus protein supplement. Your body naturally produces these proteins until around the age of 40. Many people experience a dip in their immune system after this age, and it is completely normal, but certainly not optimal. Try supplementing with thymus protein supplements and boost your immune system back to its youthful level.

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Source: Alternative Health Concepts