Spices For Chicken

The below-mentioned spices provide the mainstay of the spice mix, with many more blended in to achieve that perfect taste and aroma, but they can provide much more than just flavour since they have a dramatic effect on health:

Black Pepper provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection to help fight free radicals and prevent chronic inflammation to lower the risk of chronic illnesses, as well as boosting the white blood cells that your body uses to protect against invading bacteria and viruses to improve the immune system. It enhances heart health by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as increasing blood sugar control, improving digestive health and helping with weight loss by inhibiting fat cell formation. It has also demonstrated cancer-fighting properties, exerting protective activity against numerous forms of cancer, enhancing the effects of traditional treatment and reversing multidrug resistance in cancer cells. Black pepper benefits the brain by inhibiting enzymes which break down serotonin, disrupt the production of dopamine and degrade the function of melatonin, in addition to delaying brain ageing, enhancing the nerve cells and preventing early cell death, plus decreasing the formation of amyloidal plaque and improving memory, thus helping to protect against Alzeimer’s.

Cardamom is rich in antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties and helps rid the body of harmful free radicals, protecting against protein, DNA and lipid damage, helping to prevent oxidative stress and certain chronic diseases, as well as assisting in regulating blood pressure. It remedies digestive ailments, soothing acid reflex and a burning sensation in the stomach, protecting against and healing gastric ulcers, reducing motion sickness and relieving nausea, vomiting and other discomfort, and protects the liver, decreasing elevated liver enzymes, triglyceride and cholesterol levels and protecting against liver enlargement and liver weight to reduce the risk of fatty liver disease. Cardamom may help to increase the activity of certain cancer-fighting enzymes, enhancing the ability of killer cells to attack tumours and cause apoptosis in the case of some cancers. The strong antibacterial and antiviral properties promote oral health by killing the unhealthy bacteria on the tongue and palate and fight bacteria which causes dental cavities and gingivitis, as well as inhibiting the growth of common pathogens including staphylococcus aureus, salmonella typhi, e-coli, streptococcus mutans, and candida albicans. 

Cinnamon is an absolute powerhouse of antioxidants and active compounds, some unique to this spice, which provide powerful health benefits, helping to fight oxidative stress and protect the body against certain chronic diseases and boosting immunity. It protects against viral infections including the common cold and flu, kills certain fungi causing respiratory tract infections, curbs candida and other yeast infections, inhibits bacteria including salmonella, E. coli, staph and listeria and promotes oral health by killing plaque causing bacteria. Cinnamon decreases blood sugar levels and significantly increases insulin sensitivity in fat and muscle tissues, controls cholesterol and triglycerides levels, reduces blood pressure and improves blood circulation, ultimately enhancing heart health and protecting against a heart attack. It protects the brain, keeping the neurons healthy and fully functioning and stabilising neurotransmitters, plus controls inflammation, helping to reduce unnecessary inflammation and thereby deterring or reducing inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, reducing swelling in acute conditions and preventing inflammation of  the nervous system cells, thereby boosting serotonin, reducing anxiety and improving the mood. Cinnamon improves digestion and relieves digestive symptoms such as abdominal bloating and excess gas, boosts metabolism, promotes fat burning, controls sugary cravings by maintaining blood sugar levels, and removes toxins from the body including cellulite and fat, helping to promote a healthy weight. Research has also indicated that cinnamon is able to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells and may even instigate cell death in some types of cancer.

Nutmeg is a rich source of antioxidants, which help protect against serious conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and liver disease. It benefits heart health, helping to lower blood pressure, high cholesterol and high triglyceride levels and increasing circulation. It is able to relieve pain and inflammation, strengthen cognitive function, enhance digestion, soothe digestive ailments and detoxify the body. Its antibacterial properties enhance oral health and inhibit harmful strains of food-borne bacteria. Nutmeg  increases immune system function and reduces insomnia.  A useful tonic for men, it can compliment treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), infertility, impotence and premature ejaculation.

Thyme is rich in antioxidants, nutrients and  a plethora of phenolic substances and helps to protect against oxidative damage and naturally boosts the immune system, as well as protecting against food poisoning by inhibiting food-borne bacteria, in addition to improving digestion and protecting the stomach wall against acid and subsequent ulcers. It helps to strengthen the bones, ease flu and a cough, and reduce inflammation which is a precursor to many chronic diseases including heart problems. It further promotes heart health by enhancing cardiac valve performance, dilating veins and arteries, strengthening the heart muscles, controlling heart rate, reducing high blood pressure and improving blood circulation in hypertensive people and lowering cholesterol levels. Thyme also enhances vision and protects against oxidative damage which can damage ocular cells and mucous membranes, and minimises the incidence of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataracts.

Rosemary is an impressive source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which boost the immune system and improve blood circulation and protect against oxidative damage and chronic disease from inflammation. It also improves digestion by reducing acid, excess gas and bloating, inhibits food-borne bacteria, improves liver function, aids weight loss by acting as a diuretic and flushing excess fluid and toxins from the body and helps to manage diabetes by decreasing glucose and increasing insulin. It can also help to manage inflammation and reduce pain and swelling, benefits brain health by fighting off damage by free radicals in the brain and enhances concentration and memory, may improve brain damage and reduces brain ageing, thus protecting against Alzeihmer’s.  Rosemary can significantly improve eye health and protect against age-related macular degeneration, as well as slow the growth of cancer cells potentially lower the risk of developing tumours.