Some of your favorite holiday spices can add flavor to your meals. However, they also have wonderful scents and health benefits.
Cinnamon: Cinnamon has medicinal curing properties. It is linked to helping people with type 2 diabetes. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily can reduce your blood sugar level, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol levels. It also supports digestive function, relieves congestion and muscle stiffness, and has anti-inflammatory compounds. Cinnamon has anti-microbial properties, too, so it kills bacteria and helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and urinary tract infections. Compounds in cinnamon have odor-fighting abilities to eliminate bad breath, as well.
Nutmeg: Nutmeg has been found helpful with healing. It can make you feel drowsy and reduce anxiety, which is ideal for helping insomniacs fall asleep. It also helps calm and ease muscles, nausea, and joint pain. In addition, nutmeg can improve your concentration, increase circulation, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Putting a little nutmeg oil on a sore tooth can help relieve a toothache. It’s important to note that consuming too much nutmeg can cause nausea, hallucinations, or swelling.
Clove: Clove is most well known for alleviating tooth and gum pain. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and antioxidant properties. Cloves relieve muscle pain and may also encourage creativity and increase mental focus.
Ginger: Ginger can help relieve nausea, dizziness, motion sickness, morning sickness, and other upset stomach conditions. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and it boosts the immune system to fight illnesses. Ginger also helps relax your intestinal tract and improve cardiovascular health.
Peppermint: Fresh peppermint is a strong scent that can cover bad breath. It also prevents the growth of bacteria and fungus, and it soothes the digestive tract. Peppermint can relieve allergies, asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. In addition, it is linked to cancer protection.
After preparing your holiday meals, keep the seasonal spices in an easy-to-reach place in case you need them for their medicinal abilities. While some of these spices can help alleviate tooth and gum pain, it’s best to visit Dr. Foust with any concerns. She can show you how to keep your mouth healthy this holiday season. Contact Dental Impressions of Ankeny, IA at (515) 965-0230 to schedule an appointment. We welcome patients from Polk City, Bondurant, Alleman, Elkhart, and surrounding areas.
