With the inundation of new health information we are exposed to on a daily basis, it’s easy to fall into the pattern of thinking that being a healthier version of yourself requires integration of a complex algorithm. When truly, optimum health is the result of simple rituals like moving your body daily, getting enough rest, eating a nutrient dense diet and incorporating healing foods.
Going that extra mile to add healing ingredients into your daily diet is vital for long term vitality, disease prevention and increasing the quality of your daily life. Through daily use of these superfoods, you’re likely to experience increased energy levels, improved moods, more regular bowel movements, better digestion and less bloating.
Keep in mind, these are just a few of the thousands of healing superfoods that have been shown by functional medicine practitioners and naturopaths to aid the body in maintaining and sustaining wellness. Once you taste these three healing ingredients in your next food prep day, you’ll be instantly hooked on reaping the benefits of these potent superfoods.
Healing Turmeric
Turmeric has been all the rage in recent years, and for good reason. This bright orange, power-packed root is packed with antioxidants and boasts anti-inflammatory properties. This spice adds a vibrant colour to any dish it flavours, as well as an earthy, moderately spicy zing that’s different from the heat from peppers. In other words, it’s not too hot to palate.
This spice mixes well into entrees including casseroles, stir fries, as a vegetable seasoning, added into your morning smoothie, sprinkled into your post-workout protein shake, added atop your dessert or doused into a cup of tea.
The applications most suitable for turmeric consumption include joint pain, bodily inflammation, disrupted digestion, chronic illness, low energy, skin irritation, and PMS in women. When taken regularly after several weeks, you can expect to notice a difference for the better in your symptoms, especially in regards to energy and digestion.
Healing Ginger
The ginger root grows and appears very similarly to the turmeric root. Both of these healing roots grow a few inches beneath the soil line and sprout vibrant green leaves above the soil as the root continues to grow in size.
Ginger is known for it’s zippy, tart zing and can wake up and dish in a hurry. This root provides many benefits like balancing hormones, enhancing your body’s resting metabolism, improving digestion and soothing an upset stomach. You may have seen ginger crews in your local grocery store marketed at a stomach acid remedy.
Like turmeric, ginger is highly versatile. It can be used to boost savoury dishes as well as sweet desserts. Ginger is ideal to flavour water, add a punch of flavour to smoothies, ramp up dressings/marinades and even used as a seasoning on top of your meal. Women can look to ginger tea to help alleviate the discomfort, excessive bloating and cramping that comes with the monthly cycle.
Healing Cacao
Cacao is the pure, unrefined, unsweetened version of the more commonly known chocolate. Chocolate has morphed into a highly recognisable treat, candy and dessert. However, cacao in its original form is highly nutritious and packed with antioxidants. It adds a wonderfully rich and decadent flavour to anything it is added to.
This healing food actually comes from a pod, which also contains a fatty component known as cacao butter. Cacao powder itself though only contains a small amount of carbohydrates and virtually no fat. It’s ideal to add to sweet meals like desserts, smoothie bowls, healthy shakes and baked goods. Cacao can be used in salty & savoury dishes as well; just look to experiment and find a pairing that suits your taste buds.
To wrap it up…
Be creative with these ingredients and find which application you enjoy the most. They are all highly versatile healing foods and can be used in different amounts to achieve the desired medicinal benefits or flavour profile.
You can find all three of these superfoods in powder form, in capsules, in a tincture or as an intact root/pod. The powder forms are typically located in a bulk foods area, while the capsules and tinctures are generally found in the supplement section of most health food stores.
Healing superfoods have become increasingly popular in this new age of natural wellness. Thus, it’s easier than ever to seek and find inspiration on how to incorporate medicinal foods into your lifestyle effortlessly. With the natural products industry creating new products at a rapid rate, you can expect to be continuously surrounded by new ideas and motivation every time you’re shopping at your local health market.
Tried these healing superfoods but still have pain? Waverley Myotherapy Clinic have degree qualified practitioners who can assess what’s causing your pain, work out a treatment and management plan and get you back to doing what you love!
Book an AppoinmentHelen Sanders is chief editor at HealthAmbition.com. Established in 2012, Health Ambition has grown rapidly in recent years. Our goal is to provide easy-to-understand health and nutrition advice that makes a real impact. We pride ourselves on making sure our actionable advice can be followed by regular people with busy lives.