Did you know that turmeric has anti inflammatory properties and is jam packed with anti oxidants?…it is so powerful that it is being seriously investigated by pharmaceuticals for use in anti cancer drugs and even as a treatment for cancer.
Chillis are high in vitamin A,B and C and release endorphins that help lower cholesterol. And don’t start me off on garlic – ok I know it doesn’t leave the most pleasantly fragrant breath but it is a powerhouse of medicinal properties. It can assist in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, it is a natural antibiotic (try rubbing a garlic clove on painful teeth or gums – the immediate results are amazing!).
I went to a great Thai cookery class today at the Saffron House Cooking Academy and it got me thinking about how Asian cuisines are jam packed with ingredients that are so good for you, and how food can be such a potent therapeutic tool. I don’t just mean getting your 5 a day but incorporating a variety of spices and herbs that can enhance your wellbeing.
So many of the Wellbeing Escapes Spa Holidays use food to enhance the whole wellbeing experience. I don’t just mean learning how to cook to assist keeping the weight off but incorporating a variety of spices and herbs to harness their healing benefits. Many of the spas we feature also offer cookery classes so you can take some of this knowledge home with you. Two of the best cookery classes I have had are at Chiva Som and the Six Senses Sanctuary in Thailand.
My parting Thai spa cookery tip is boiling a pan of water with lemongrass stalks and boil to make a tea (you can use a bit of honey for taste if you like). It’s very calming and a great way to relieve stress. Use ginger instead of lemongrass if you are coming down with a cold as ginger has high anti inflammatory properties and can help build your immune system.