With winter’s chill in the air, we’re all looking for some measure of warmth and comfort. One of the best ways to combat that cold, seasonal energy is with wholesome cooking and fragrant, warming spices.
Wintertime favorites, such as cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, are delicious this time of year and bring much more than flavor to the table. These aromatic spices act like an herbal medicine chest for winter by soothing digestion after heavy meals, boosting metabolic health, and even supporting the immune system, too.
Cinnamon
With its sweet, spicy aroma and distinct flavor, cinnamon is a longtime cold-weather favorite. There are two primary types of cinnamon: Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), which is also called true cinnamon, and cassia. True cinnamon is a little more expensive and has a sweeter, rounder flavor, while cassia packs a sharper heat.Owing to their similarity, they convey many of the same benefits. Their warming energy provides relief on cold days. Volatile oils, which give the spice its distinct flavor, work in tandem with cinnamon’s high fiber content to help support good digestion and better blood sugar balance.
Add cinnamon sticks to a pot of tea, hot cider, or even a sipping broth during the winter. Although you can purchase ground cinnamon at most grocery stores, you can also grate it fresh, releasing a more vibrant flavor thanks to the spice’s plentiful aromatic oils.
Cardamom
Cardamom, a cousin of ginger, is a fragrant spice indigenous to Kerala, India. Its deep aroma boasts vibrant notes of eucalyptus, mint, and citrus. It is one of the world’s most expensive spices, sliding in just behind saffron and vanilla. Fortunately, just a little will impart a deep flavor.
In both traditional Chinese medicine and European folk medicine, cardamom is used to ease upset stomachs and soothe indigestion. Ayurvedic traditions also suggest that cardamom is a potent spice that supports digestive fire. Current research into the herb has found that it supports better blood sugar balance, with some studies finding that regular use of this spice can improve insulin sensitivity.
You can use ground cardamom in pastries or curries. Or use the whole pod to lend flavor to soups, medicinal broths, and warm winter drinks, such as hot mulled cider.
Clove
Sweet, spicy cloves are the flower buds of a tree in the myrtle family. They have a rich, intense aroma that combines notes of cinnamon, allspice, apple, and Sichuan peppercorn. As is cardamom, cloves are intensely flavored, and a little can flavor an entire dish.According to traditional Chinese medicine, clove is a warming spice used to expel cold energy. Clove is also used as a carminative herb, easing indigestion and painful gas too. It works well in combination with other carminative herbs, such as cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Fortunately, they taste delicious together too.
Clove is rich in eugenol, a volatile oil with a rich and spicy aroma. Eugenol has slightly numbing effects, and clove oil is traditionally used in American and European folk medicine to ease toothaches. That effect also makes cloves useful for sore throats. Hot tea, sweetened with honey and flavored with cloves, is an excellent herbal remedy to prepare when you have a cold.
You can buy whole cloves to add to teas and broths or buy powdered cloves to add to baked goods, such as apple pies and spice cookies.
Star Anise
Star anise’s pod holds aromatic seeds that smell vaguely of black licorice and fennel. Its flavor is soft and subtle, with delicate floral notes. This star-shaped spice looks beautiful floating in a mug of hot mulled wine or a bubbling pot of fragrant broth, and it’s a delicious accompaniment to other sweet spices, such as cinnamon and cloves.The herb’s warming energy is helpful in cold weather. Like most sweet, warming spices, star anise is an excellent choice for supporting digestion and easing stomach aches.
Ginger
A wintertime favorite, ginger is a fiery spice with an aromatic heat. Widely available both fresh and as a powder, ginger is an approachable and accessible cold-weather spice. It is traditionally used to ease nausea and has earned a good reputation among motion-sick travelers and expectant mothers suffering from morning sickness alike.Beyond its ability to ease nausea and indigestion, ginger has developed a reputation for supporting systemic health and combating chronic disease. Its potent antioxidants combat inflammation and support cardiovascular and metabolic health. It is also a popular addition to many immune-supportive herbal remedies.
