6 Kitchen Ingredients That Work Like Medicines

by Jannice Dumlao

According to the great philosopher Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” As more and more people turn to healthy living and eating whole and clean foods, the more they also turn to foods as medicine. In fact, like most doctors would recommend “prevention is better than cure.” There is plenty of food from your kitchen that works like a medicine. There are those that can provide instant relief and there are those that can provide you with immunity through constant consumption. So, here is a list of common kitchen ingredients and their possible uses as medicines.

#1. Honey

Honey has been used in medical practices for as far back as 4,000 years ago. In fact, it was used to treat imbalances in the body and indigestion in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Currently, modern medicine is proving once again the varied medical uses of honey. If you have heard of food as medicine, honey can be a great substitute for sugar because it does not carry the negative health impact that table sugar har. Another benefit of honey is that it can be used as a cough remedy but do remember that it is not advisable for children under one-year-old to consume honey. Here is a quick list of honey’s potent medicinal properties:

• Can fight infection from a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea.
• It lines the stomach and esophagus thereby reducing acid reflux.
• Honey can be used topically to treat wounds.

#2. Garlic

Garlic has potent medicinal properties. In fact, in a study published in the American Family Physician, the regular consumption of garlic decreases an adult’s susceptibility to colds. But, garlic does not have an effect on the duration of the cold once it sets in. Thus, it is only useful as a preventive measure.

Garlic is well-known for its anti-microbial properties. In a study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, garlic was found to be multiple times more potent than two popular drugs against intestinal infection. Garlic contains diallyl trisulfide, a compound known to protect the heart from damage. Here’s more of garlic’s medicinal benefits:

• Eating raw garlic at least two times per week lowers a person’s risk of developing lung cancer by 44%.
• Identified as containing a promising compound that controls the malignant growth of human brain tumor cells.
• Helps combat osteoarthritis in women.

Related: How To Prepare Medicinal Pickled Garlic

#3. Lemon

Well, you probably know that lemons are rich in Vitamin C which is a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants are substances that have the capacity to increase your immunity, stabilize mood disorders, increase memory, provides heart protection, and prevents eye problems. Lemons are also known as a natural antiseptic. It can be applied on the skin to ease pains from bee stings and sunburn. It also posses anti-aging properties like helping in the removal of blackheads, improves skin elasticity, and even cures eczema and acne. Other lesser known medicinal benefits of lemon are:

• It can dissolve callous and corns.
• Drinking lemon juice helps control dizziness, blood pressure, and heart problems.
• It has antibacterial properties and helps fight throat infections.

#4. Cinnamon

If you are a baker, then you definitely have cinnamon in your cupboard. It’s a great spice for your cookies, bread, and pies. It is also a great addition to your morning coffee. Cinnamon contains polyphenols which are powerful antioxidants and we already know the various health benefits of these substances. Another great medicinal benefit of cinnamon is its anti-inflammatory property. It has been shown that chronic inflammation in the body can have deleterious effects and just by ingesting cinnamon regularly you are lowering your risk for diseases related to inflammation. Further, cinnamon has the capacity to reduce the levels of triglycerides and LDL cholesterol—lowering your risk for heart disease. Here are more medicinal benefits of cinnamon:

• It has an anti-diabetic effect by improving sensitivity to insulin and thereby lowering blood sugar levels.
• As part of its antioxidant property, cinnamon adds protection to your brain against neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
• It has immune-boosting properties that protect you from diseases.

#5. Turmeric

The active ingredient found in turmeric is known as Curcumin—which is believed, by medical researchers, to give turmeric its various health benefits. It has an anti-cancer and anti-tumor activity. In a study conducted on myeloid leukemia, it was reported they have concluded that turmeric curcumin has anti-tumor effects that can be contributed to its cell-death inducing activities, wherein cancerous or tumor cells where observed to disappear. Another great medicinal benefit of turmeric is its ability to lower the risk of brain diseases and improve brain function. In a study conducted, it showed that curcumin can increase the levels of Brain-Derived Neutrophic Factor (BDNF) which is a growth hormone linked to many common brain disorders. Low BDNF levels have been connected to Alzheimer’s disease and depression. It is also suggested that BDNF helps improve memory. Here are more Turmeric medicinal benefits:

• Curcumin contains both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are therapeutic enough to combat various pathological conditions.
• A study has concluded that turmeric curcumin supplement suggests a biologic effect in the chemoprevention of cancer.
• Provides Pain Relief for Knee Osteoarthritis.

#6. Ginger

Ginger is one of the major components in Chinese as well as traditional Asian medicine. It is used to treat different maladies. Ginger root is used to treat symptoms of motion sickness. Intake of ginger tea can help relieve a person suffering from symptoms like vomiting, sweating and nausea. Ginger is also known to relieve from arthritis. It can also use to treat rheumatism and osteoarthritis. Creating a poultice made from ginger and putting it directly on the affected part can relieve pain. People who suffer from gastrointestinal problems like heartburn and bloating can take advantage of ginger as it is known to strengthen the gastrointestinal tract. More ginger medicinal benefits below:

• Studies have shown that ginger has the capacity to slow down the growth of various cancer cells.
• It has the capacity to reduce soreness and muscle pain.
• Ginger possesses anti-inflammatory properties which have a positive effect on osteoarthritis.

If you’re looking for a practical guide to make the most of natural remedies, check out this comprehensive guide by Nicole Apelian. It offers easy-to-follow protocols that address the root causes of health​​​​​​​ issues, with clear steps and daily summaries to help you stay on track.
Each section includes step-by-step instructions and a summary table to guide you on what actions and remedies to take daily, ensuring you always know exactly what to do next. Equip yourself with this knowledge to better navigate any crisis with confidence and resilience.

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