Summers are blazing hard in most parts and scurrying for cover from the harsh sun into air-conditioned spaces is top of our minds. The loss of appetite, indigestion due to the heat, dehydration, sun-burns, prickly heat, I could go on and on with summer woes. Talking about summer, going to get into the new afternoon not only increases the chance of warmth stroke, and dehydration, but also problems like weak digestion, nausea, heartburn, headache, and gastrointestinal disorder often trouble people. In such a situation, it’s most vital to take care of food during the summer season. you’ll keep these problems removed from yourself by making changes within the daily diet in keeping with the summer season. Summer heat can drain your energy levels and lead to irritation, fatigue, sweating, heat stroke and rashes. To keep your body cool during the hot summer days adding spices to your daily diet can keep your system cool and prevent the ill effects of scorching heat too.
Spices are not just taste-enhancing food ingredients. They contain several bioactive compounds and antioxidants that help in maintaining your inner body temperature when the outer environmental temperature becomes unbearable.
Here are 6 incredible spices that you should include in your diet to feel fresh:
1. Cumin : Cumin is a spice that comes from the Cuminum cyminum plant. It is native to Asia, Africa, and Europe. However, people all around the world use it to flavor meals. The very aroma of cumin is cooling. A savoury spice that adds oodles of taste to grain dishes, vegetable recipes and soups.- These seeds are used in small amounts, it acts as a detoxifying and a cooling agent.
- An essential ingredient in many mixed spices, chutneys, and chili and curry powders, cumin is especially popular in Asian, North African, and Latin American cuisines.
- Very essential if someone is facing heat issues, include cumin in their diet.
- Cumin seeds has rich source of iron and plant compounds.
2. Fennel : Fennel seeds are a spice harvested from one of several types of the herb fennel plants. They have a sweet, powerful flavor that’s similar to licorice. It’s a cool and soothing spice which can protect you against heat. As a result, Sipping a cup of fennel water will prevent you from heat stroke and keep your body cool.
- In many parts of the world, fennel seeds are used medicinally.
- Fennel seeds are rich in vitamin C, iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
- You can use fennel seeds in your cooking, try including them in bread, salads, pasta, desserts and much more.
- In some parts of the world, it’s popular to eat roasted fennel seeds on their own. Roast them with a little salt or sugar to make a delicious, satisfying snack.
3. Fenugreek : Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is an herb similar to clove. The seeds taste similar to maple syrup and are used in foods and medicine. Heat stress may affect your body and cause bad headaches, rashes, boils, nausea and a feeling of dizziness and discomfort. To combat such feelings, add fenugreek to your diet. Drinking a cup of fenugreek tea or water will help you keep cool and refresh your body as a whole.
- People use its fresh and dried seeds, leaves, twigs, and roots as a spice, flavoring agent, and supplement.
- It is one of the oldest medicinally used plants, with roots in both traditional Indian and Chinese systems of medicine.
- Fenugreek extracts are ingredients in many common products, including soaps, cosmetics, teas, garam masala, condiments etc.
- It may also help in getting rid of flatulence, which can be an outcome of excess heat.
4. Coriander: Coriander is an annual herb in the family Aplaceae. It’s a beneficial spice which might protect the body from the side effects caused by heat. Drinking mixed sugar in coriander provides relief from headache produced by heat. Coriander may also relieves fever or high body temperature via its diaphoretic properties, which induces perspiration and reduces the inner body temperature.
- All parts of the plant are edible, but the fresh leaves and the dried seeds (as a spice) are the parts most traditionally used in cooking.
- It might tone down the excess of fire or pitta in our body caused due to the heat. Its high volatile oil content makes it a great relaxant and helps relieve anxiety
- The seeds and the leaves of the coriander plant are both cooling when used in foods.
- Coriander may aid appetite and digestion, it’s known to contain oil in it that makes it a great relaxant.
5. Cardamom: Cardamom is a spice made from the seed pods of various plants in the ginger family. Cardamom pods are spindle-shaped and have a triangular cross-section. The pods contain a number of seeds, but the entire cardamom pod can be used whole or ground. The seeds are small and black, while the pods differ in color and size by species.
- Active compounds present in cardamom have the ability to detoxify unwanted chemicals and toxins from the body.
- This tones down the body heat from within.
- It also aids in digestion and fights nausea and heartburn, which further helps the body to relax and cool down.
- This magical spice balances all the three energies or doshas in the body; and also counteracts the excessive stomach acids and cures stomach cramps.
6. Turmeric: Turmeric is a common spice that comes from the root of Curcuma longa. Spices with a bitter character are known for their cooling mojo. Turmeric is one such ingredient which should be included in dishes not only in winter but also in the summer season. This traditional desi spice is also a treasure house of a lot of medicinal properties.
- Turmeric has a warm, bitter taste and is frequently used to flavor or color curry powders, mustards, butter, and cheeses
- Turmeric contains bioactive compounds with medicinal properties.
- Ground turmeric is also a major ingredient in curry powder.
- Most Indian cooking uses turmeric in at least one of the dishes, for our grannies knew better than us about its healing properties.
During summer, the external environmental temperature is already high and at this point in time, your body needs foods that keep your inner body temperature cool and prevent heat stress.
The above mentioned 6 spices will have a refreshing effect on your body. They not only reduce body heat but may also improve your appetite and relieve nausea, flatulence and bloating. Besides this, it is suggested to drink more water and stay hydrated during the hot summer days. We'd love to hear about the spices you take to cool your body. Share with us in the 'Submit your Recipe' section And Do Leave a comment if you found these summer spices interesting. We can’t wait to hear from you.