Spices-Reservoir of Health Benefits

Abstract

Spices contribute to the quality, nutritive value, and flavor of food. Since ancient times, they hold a great medicinal value. Their antimicrobial, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other numerous properties have made them a potent source of therapeutic agents. Phytochemical analysis revealed presence of active constituents such as eugenol, curcumin, carotenoids in clove, turmeric, saffron respectively that explains the efficacious nature of these spices. Owing to their easy availability and consumption, it is advised to make spices daily part of our diet though in balanced amount as sometimes excess usage bear few consequences. Evaluating multiple benefits offered by these as immunity boosters especially in times of pandemic and incorporating them in our routine diet would improve disease management strategies. This chapter discusses the reservoir of activities exhibited by few spices along with the components responsible for these activities. Here, we also discussed their negative effects if at all.