Enjoy the health benefits of various spices combined adding Curry to your pantry
Curry Powder
Origin: India
Used part: Garlic, Onion, Ginger, Turmeric, Coriander, Cumin, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Cardamom and Chili peppers powder
Description:
The word "curry" was invented by British colonialists in the 18th century. Most likely a take on the Indian word "kari", meaning sauce. Before Columbus came to India, curry was not the intensely spicy dish we recognize as curry. The same is true of Thai curries, which were originally spiced with black and white peppercorns instead of chilies.
The difference among types of curry is vast. Curries are common in India, Thailand, Malaysia, China, South Africa, Japan, and other countries that borrows their recipes, curry is made so many ways in so many places, even the same kind of curry can depend on the cook’s tastes and ingredient availability. There are some general rules, though, most of which can be broken.
Two major categories of curry are Indian and Thai. Indian curry is largely considered a British fusion, and typically incorporates a blend of toasted spices ground into a powder, called masalas. These curries are water- or broth-based, sometimes thickened with yogurt or sour cream. Thai curry often calls for a wet curry paste and use coconut milk or coconut cream. You’ll see herbs and spices like lemongrass, galang, and kaffir lime leaves.
Originating in India by those British colonialists, curry powder typically includes spices like cloves, cardamon, ginger, nutmeg, fennel, caraway, ajowan seeds, dried basil, mustard seeds, mace, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, saffron or cinnamon. The spice blend depends on the chef and is regionally nuanced within the cuisines of India (like garam masala or madras curry powder), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and the Caribbean.
Health benefits:
One of the most important ingredients in curry powder is turmeric, which for centuries has been a mainstay for treating inflammation, notably in Ayurvedic medicine. One of its most potent compounds is curcumin, which gives curry its vibrant yellow hue and promotes healing in numerous ways. For bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis, this spice is very beneficial. Although human testing is still in its early stages, significant amounts of animal testing have shown turmeric to greatly increase the speed of bone regrowth, connectivity and repair, while reducing signs of bone loss by up to 50%. This could mean a very powerful boost to your bones, particularly as you age.
Another benefit of curcumin is its ability to combat Alzheimer's disease. It does this by stimulating your immune system to eliminate the amino acids that make up plaque that free radicals dump into your brain's neural pathways, consequently decreasing cognitive decline. Curcumin has also been studied for the many ways it also affects cancer cells. It has chemopreventive effects on stomach and colon cancers in animal studies, and inhibits the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a group 1 carcinogen.
Anticancer activity may actually begin the moment turmeric hits your tongue, as studies indicate that "nanocurcumin," a "polymeric nanoparticle-encapsulated" form of curcumin activated by human saliva is particularly effective in preventing pancreatic cancer.
Good Herbal Remedy:
- Boosts your immune system
- A curry can relieve the pain of arthritis
- Help to prevent Alzheimer’s
- Prevents cancer
- Prevent heart disease
- Help to lower blood pressure
- Reduce the risk of blood clots
- Guard against heart attacks
- Help ease digestion
- Helps lower your cholesterol
- Boost your metabolism
Directions:
In addition to the typical Indian dishes, curry is widely used in sauces, in the preparation of vegetables, red meat, chicken, broths, creams, soups and stews. A condiment that goes very well with hot and savory dishes in general.
Contraindications:
Generally, side effects appear if curry powder is used excessively and list of curry powder side effects are as follows: Vertigo, heartburn, burning sensation in the feet, excessive perspiration (sweating), anal burning, especially after defecation.
It is contraindicated in patients suffering from severe form of gastritis, GERD, headache due to gastritis heartburn, tenderness of upper abdomen.