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Table 1 Health benefits of spices

From: Positioning spice tourism as an emerging form of special interest tourism: perspectives and strategies

Common name

Botanical name

Health benefits

Turmeric

Curcuma longa

Possesses anti-inflammatory cum antimutagenic, antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic properties [15, 16]; reduces total cholesterol and LDL [17, 18].

Garlic

Allium sativum

An antioxidant that supports the body’s defense processes against oxidative damage and the common cold; reduces blood pressure and risk of heart disease, increasing testosterone in the testicles [24]; a natural antiseptic with antiviral and antidiabetic properties [25].

Cinnamon

Cinnamomumverum

Possesses antioxidant, antifungal, antibiotic, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties, and is even effective against some drug-resistant fungi; fights diabetes and reduces heart disease is anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, and antidiabetic [26].

Black pepper

Piper nigrum

Boosts immunity, increases the concentration of good cholesterol, is antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and treats sore throats due to flu [25]; enhances digestive tract function.

Cloves

Syzygiumaromaticum

Promotes antiviral and antimicrobial activity, is a hepatoprotective antidiabetic, and is an anti-inflammatory; reduces stress, is chemo-preventive, and acts as a total antioxidant; treats bad breath [27]; used as treatments for oral health, obesity, osteoporosis, COPD, coughs and colds, and vomiting; antiseptic; good for eyes and abdominal pain [28].

  1. Spices have incredible health benefits both in raw and processed forms. Spices have various functions such as antioxidant, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties, because of these characteristics’ spices are integral parts of many forms of health and wellness tourism. For instance, Ayurveda (an ancient medical practice originated in India)