How Do Spices and Herbs Impact Your Health?

  • CINNAMON—Ceylon Cinnamon is known as “true” cinnamon. It’s a powerful antioxidant that helps regulate blood sugar and lower cholesterol.
  • GINGER—Ginger is loaded with gingerol, a natural oil with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps with nausea, muscle relaxation and digestion.
  • TURMERIC—Turmeric boasts curcumin, that counteracts inflammation, improves circulation, and helps with cognitive health.
  • CUMIN—Cumin is the second most popular spice (right after black pepper). It helps to fight infections, reduces coughs and respiratory problems.
  • GARLIC—Garlic is one of the most versatile herbs on the planet. Rich in allicin, garlic helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
  • SAFFRON—Saffron is rich in crocetin, a heart healthy compound which acts as an antidepressant to improve mood and energy.

Cinnamon for your garden

Cinnamon isn’t just for the kitchen. Here are some great uses for cinnamon in your garden.

  1. Deter ants
    Cinnamon will actually kill ants. The powdery substance will suffocate the bugs when inhaled. The aroma can also make it hard for ants to smell food sources, but it’s nontoxic for kids and pets. Win, win!
  2. Defeat fungus
    When you sprinkle ground cinnamon on soil, it kills fungi. The cinnamon targets surface-level fungi, so you might need to use other solutions in addition to this one. You can use cinnamon to kill wild mushrooms too
  3. Protect seedlings from disease
    The antifungal properties in cinnamon make it a great tool for protecting seedlings from rot and disease, also known as damping off. Keeping moisture at bay is key; dusting the seeds with cinnamon and using a doming tactic can protect the seeds until they grow.
  4. Root and graft plants
    You can make your roses (or other plants) sturdier after cutting and replanting by first dipping them in cinnamon powder, which works like a rooting hormone, a bit. The cinnamon kills off the competition, so to speak, so that your flower can grow better
  5. Heal sick plants
    Try sprinkling cinnamon on a plant wound (from cutting or other damage) to speed up the healing process and protect it from further damage or disease.
  6. Keep mosquitoes away from the garden
    Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon around your plants to keep mosquitoes and other bugs away. They don’t like the strong smell of cinnamon, so you can enjoy your garden (even at night) in peace. Alternatively, you can plant a teabag.

Today is brought to you by grapefruit, cinnamon and ginger

Essential oils that is!