4 Anti-fungal Spices and Their Uses

Spices have been used for centuries for their many medicinal properties - while today they are commonly used in food preparation without knowledge of their many healthy benefits.

For food preparation the terms "spices" and "herbs are often used interchangeably. However, they are different. Herbs are made from aromatic plants found in temperate zones, while spices come from tropical plants. Another difference is that with herbs, unlike spices, it is usually just the leaves used.

Spices are made from many parts of the plant, including the roots, bark, seeds, berries and the flowers. In addition to the many benefits of spices, there are also beneficial anti-fungal properties. If you are using spices you may want to consider their anti-fungal properties as well.

Spices are used by sprinkling over food or preparing food with them. They can also be prepared as a tea. Fresh is always best. For example, turmeric can be purchased whole and then ground as needed.

Listed below are 4 anti-fungal spices:

1- Allspice - comes from the dried berry of a native Central and South American tree. Allspice contains the agent known as eugenol, which is what provides resistance not only to fungi but to bacteria and viruses as well. For medicinal purposes, allspice has long been used for its anti-fungal benefits, as well as its antibacterial and anti-microbial properties.

2 - Turmeric - is also an anti-fungal spice and is becoming increasingly popular in the U.S. for its many other benefits as well. Turmeric is made from the underground roots of the curcuma longa. Native to South East Asia, the tropical turmeric plant is a member of the ginger family. At the end of the growing season the roots of the plant are harvested, sun dried and then crushed into the familiar ground yellow powder. The curcumin found in turmeric is a natural pigment which gives tumeric its gold yellow color. It is also the curcumin that gives tumeric its anti-parasitic properties. The anti-fungal benefits of turmeric are beneficial in helping skin problems such as athlete's feet.

3 - Cloves (eugenia caryophyllus) - is native to the Spice Islands. Cloves are extremely effective as an anti-fungal spice because, like allspice, it also contains eugenol. Cloves can be taken internally or applied topically to reap its beneficial properties. Cloves can be used to treat fungal infections of the fingernail or toenail and as a dietary treatment for yeast (candida albicans) infections.

4 - Barberry - is spice made from the stem and root of the plant. It contains berberine, which provides potent anti-fungal properties. For the treatment of candida albicans, barberry has been shown to be useful for its significant anti-fungal properties.

For additional benefits of herbs and spices, see links below: