Top 10 Super Spices to Help You Stay Healthy During Flu Season

Turmeric, a member of the ginger family, originates from tropical regions of India. It thrives best in temperatures ranging from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius. The plant mainly grows underground, and new plants are grown from the harvested rhizomes. Turmeric rhizomes are bright orange with a lighter yellow skin, and they emit a pleasant aroma. The leaves are green with alternating stripes and can grow 50 to 115 cm long. The plant is typically low and grows in clumps.

According to research from the Indian Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, curcumin, the active compound found in turmeric’s rhizomes, has potent antibiotic properties. It is being investigated for its ability to eliminate oxygen radicals during inflammation processes. Due to its superior anti-inflammatory properties, curcumin is also effective at neutralizing superoxide radicals. In addition to these benefits, turmeric has other uses such as treating pain, conjunctivitis, arthritis, preventing cancer, and enhancing skin health.

Garlic is not only an essential kitchen ingredient that enhances the flavor of dishes, but it also offers numerous health benefits, including preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases, cancer, infections, and joint problems.

Garlic has many health benefits, especially when consumed raw:

• Prevents and treats the flu
• Prevents and helps treat cancer
• Improves joint function
• Prevents cardiovascular diseases...

The sulfur compounds in garlic have powerful antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Daily consumption of garlic helps prevent the flu and various bacterial or viral infections. Eating raw garlic daily reduces the risk of the flu by 63%. Additionally, it can shorten flu duration by 70%, allowing for faster recovery. Therefore, try incorporating a small amount of raw garlic into your daily meals.

According to Dr. Dương Ngọc Vân (198 Hospital), the optimal amount of raw garlic for individuals to consume daily is 1 - 2 cloves to enjoy its full benefits without any unwanted side effects (such as body odor or heartburn).

The stems, leaves, and roots of green onions all provide various health benefits. Green onions are rich in protein, starch, and various vitamins and minerals. All parts of the plant contain allium compounds with distinct effects. Notably, the roots contain allicin, which helps combat oxidation and has antiseptic properties.

Health benefits of green onions:

• Heat release: The volatile oils and other active compounds in green onions stimulate the body's sweat glands, aiding in effective heat dissipation.
• Antibacterial: Allicin released from green onions has bactericidal effects, particularly against dysentery bacteria and skin fungi.
• Improves digestion: Green onions not only enhance the flavor of dishes but also stimulate digestive fluid secretion, boost spleen function, increase appetite, and help alleviate indigestion and loss of taste.
• Prevents colon cancer: Green onions contain pectin and allicin, which may inhibit cancer cell growth and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• Lowers cholesterol: Regular consumption of green onions can help reduce cholesterol levels. Even for those who are overweight, their cholesterol levels will not increase, and their physique may improve.

Lemongrass is a widely known plant that is commonly used in cooking. Beyond its culinary uses, lemongrass offers significant health benefits when used as a remedy for various ailments and even plays a role in beauty treatments.

Lemongrass is effective at warming the body due to its spicy flavor and warming nature, making it beneficial for digestive health. It also contains Citral and Geraniol, which help relieve stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea. You can prepare lemongrass tea with herbs such as perilla, Vietnamese mint, and grapefruit leaves to create a steam bath, helping balance body temperature, promote sweating, and relieve symptoms of colds.

For many years, lemongrass has been considered an effective remedy for colds and flu. You can pour boiling water over 5-6 fresh lemongrass leaves (or 1 tablespoon of dried leaves) and drink it while hot, or you can chop the lemongrass and place it in a mesh bag and add it to your hot bath to soak and steam. Today, many people also use lemongrass in drinks for its pleasant aroma, flavor, and health benefits.

Common seasonings like table salt have powerful healing properties, including being an effective remedy for sore throats. Salt has strong antiseptic qualities and can cleanse the throat, preventing bacteria from multiplying and spreading. You should rinse your mouth with salt water several times a day to ease throat pain.

There's no need to spend money on expensive medicines when you can treat a cold with ingredients you already have at home. However, if the symptoms persist despite using home remedies, it’s important to consult a doctor to get the right diagnosis. It could be a condition other than a regular cold. Table salt is easy to find and inexpensive, so don't hesitate to use it to prevent colds and related illnesses.

However, excessive salt intake can be harmful to health, leading to conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, calcium deficiency, asthma, kidney problems, joint issues, digestive disorders, and even a shorter lifespan. These are the risks you may face if you consume salt improperly.

Since ancient times, licorice root has been a well-known remedy due to its ability to nourish the body, promote weight gain, and maintain overall health. This perennial plant typically grows between 1 to 1.5 meters tall. Its roots are pale yellow in color, and the plant is covered in fine hairs. The compound leaves are about 5cm long.

Known for containing glycyrrhizin, licorice root is highly effective in combating viruses, colds, and respiratory diseases. To prevent a cold or flu, simply suck on a small piece of licorice root to soothe your throat and warm your body. Additionally, licorice root has a sweet flavor, making it easy to consume. It is commonly used in both Eastern and Western medicine for its medicinal properties. Licorice is sweet, neutral in nature, and helps nourish the stomach, moistens the lungs, reduces heat, detoxifies, and harmonizes other herbs. Notably, licorice also helps counteract the toxins caused by tetanus.

Black pepper is a commonly used spice in Vietnamese meals, offering a fragrant, slightly spicy flavor that can help warm the body and ease symptoms like shortness of breath caused by the flu. Additionally, black pepper is utilized in Traditional Chinese Medicine to reduce phlegm. Packed with antioxidants, black pepper is effective at preventing and treating the flu and joint pain. When consumed, it generates heat, which helps keep the body warm.

In general, peppercorns are rich in protein and carbohydrates, which the body transforms into heat, supporting kidney health, improving blood circulation, and strengthening the immune system in cold weather. During the chilly winter months, adding black pepper to your meals not only enhances flavor but also helps ward off illness. Black pepper can treat common cold and flu symptoms, boost immunity, reduce joint pain, and even play a role in cancer prevention.

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices with a history of thousands of years. It is considered an essential functional food. In traditional Eastern medicine, cinnamon is used in remedies for colds, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and menstrual cramps. Its energizing properties have also made it famous. Cinnamon improves blood circulation and helps warm the body. Recently, cinnamon is also used to aid in quitting smoking, along with other spices such as ginger, turmeric, basil, chrysanthemum, and lemon.

In this case, cinnamon is used as a spice, so it is important to understand its medicinal properties in Eastern medicine. Cinnamon has a warm nature, a slightly sweet, spicy taste, and is non-toxic. It helps unblock channels, warm the body, expel harmful external elements, treat colds, induce sweating, relieve headaches, and ease joint and muscle pain.

Cinnamon pairs well with jujube, licorice, and can be brewed to boost immunity, regulate fat metabolism, and protect internal organs. It also works well with peony root, licorice, and ginger, which help alleviate headaches, induce sweating, and treat cold-related symptoms. Cinnamon adds a unique and pleasant fragrance to dishes. Cinnamon has a sweet, spicy flavor and is a rich source of minerals such as potassium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, and magnesium. It also contains a high amount of vitamins A, niacin, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine, as well as fiber and antioxidants.

Ginger has long been recognized for its use in cooking. But did you know that ginger offers many additional health benefits?

There are several ways to use ginger to boost your health, the most common include:

• Fresh ginger: Slice fresh ginger and add it to your morning fruit juice or use it in homemade fruit smoothies.
• Ginger essential oil: The most potent form of ginger is its essential oil, which contains the highest concentration of ginger. This form can be used medicinally, with 2-3 drops being the recommended dosage, following the guidance of a healthcare provider.
• Ginger tea: This liquid form of ginger is commonly used to ease nausea, relieve stomach discomfort, and promote relaxation. Drink a cup 2-3 times a day to reduce inflammation. For an extra flavor boost, add a touch of raw honey and lemon to the tea.
• Ginger powder: Using ginger powder in cooking is a fantastic way to take advantage of this super spice. Add it to baked goods or fruit blends for meals. You can also take it in supplement form, with a recommended dosage of 1,000 milligrams per day.

A study published in 2017 showed that individuals who consume chili peppers had a lower mortality rate from vascular disease, heart attacks, and strokes. Researchers indicated that this spice may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels when used in moderation. Dried red chili is also a spice that can warm your body and help prevent illnesses such as the flu.

Dr. Zhiming Zhu, the senior author of another 2017 study, added: “Our research shows that enjoying spicy flavors is a significant way to reduce salt intake and help lower blood pressure, regardless of the type and quantity of food consumed.” Dried red chili also helps reduce the risk of skin and colon cancer. Studies suggest that adding dried chili to meals can help reduce overall calorie intake. Adding a little dried chili to a slice of pizza or pasta won’t harm you, but consuming too much may not be beneficial for your health.