Lifestyles Ideas Management - Asian Spices

Cumin
Believed to act as a cooling spice which aids digestion and helps flush toxin out of the body. Sprinkle ground, dry-roasted cumin on fresh yogurt and add salt to taste. Or blends a 50 -50 mixture of yogurt and water with ground, dry-roasted cumin and salt to make lassi. This Indian drink is good for digestion.

Turmeric
Believed to detoxify the liver, balance cholesterol levels, fight allergies, stimulate digestion and boost immunity. It contains the flavanoid curcumin which is known to have anti-flammatory properties. Can stain fabrics and other materials so handle with care.
Add to white rice or potatoes for color. Or flavor potatoes by mixing half a teaspoon or turmeric with half a teaspoon of cumin seeds, half a teaspoon of sweet paprika, with a tablespoon of ghee (clarified butter) or vegetable oil. Remove from heat as the spices start to release their aroma, stir in a cup of diced boiled potatoes. Add salt to taste and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro.

Fennel
Believed to aid digestion.
In India, eating a few fennel seeds after a meal is a common practice.
Ground fennel can be added to sauces. The seed can also be sautéed in ghee and added to vegetable dishes. Sauté turmeric, ground cumin, ground ginger and ground fennel in ghee, blend cashews in water to make a watery paste and add to the spices to simmer-cook into a sauce for vegetables. Fennel seeds and also be baked into cookies and muffins.