Cinnamon is the spice that can transform a kitchen in a second. The scent alone — warm, sweet, slightly spicy — evokes something that feels like home. But cinnamon is much more than a flavoring for your apple pie or chai. It is one of the oldest and best-researched medicinal spices in the world, and science confirms what herbalists have known for thousands of years.

Cinnamon has been used for more than 4,000 years — in ancient Egypt as a preservative, in the Bible as a sacred oil, in Chinese medicine as a remedy for cold and digestive issues. Arab traders kept its origin secret for centuries to protect its value. A pound of cinnamon was once worth more than a month’s wages. Today cinnamon just sits in your kitchen cupboard — but its power has not disappeared.

What exactly is cinnamon?

Cinnamon comes from the inner bark of trees in the genus Cinnamomum. There are two main types you’ll encounter:

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) — also called true cinnamon or Sri Lanka cinnamon. Milder

Clove is one of those spices you might mainly know from winter dishes or warm drinks, but it is much more than just a flavoring. For centuries clove has been used for its powerful aroma and its natural properties. From supporting your digestion to use for fresh breath: clove certainly deserves a permanent place in your kitchen cupboard.

In this blog you will discover exactly what clove is, what it is good for and how you can easily use it yourself in the kitchen and beyond.

What is clove?

Cloves are the dried flower buds of the clove tree (Syzygium aromaticum). This tree grows mainly in tropical areas such as Indonesia and Madagascar.

The small, dark brown “nails” have an intensely warm, spicy and slightly sweet taste. That makes clove recognizable and potent: you often need only a little to flavor a dish or drink.

Why is clove so good for you?

Clove is known for its high concentration of active compounds, of which eugenol is the most important. This compound gives clove its typical

A morning shot is a small, powerful drink that you often drink in one go. Think of combinations of fresh ginger, citrus, herbs and spices that are popular as a fresh start to the day.

With herbs and spices you not only give a simple shot extra flavor, but also more depth. From warming cinnamon to fresh turmeric and spicy cayenne: you can vary endlessly.

In this blog we share 7 healthy morning shots with herbs, including extra information about the herbs used and why these ingredients are so popular in morning drinks.

1. Ginger-lemon shot with turmeric

A classic morning shot with a fresh and slightly spicy taste.

Ingredients

• 50 g fresh ginger
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Pinch of black pepper
• 100 ml water

Preparation

Blend all ingredients until smooth and strain if desired for a milder texture. Store chilled and drink a small shot daily.

Why this combination is so popular

Ginger is known for its warming character and is widely used in morning shots because of its powerful, fresh flavor.

Turmeric  (also called turmeric) has been a popular spice in kitchens around the world for centuries. The bright yellow root is known for its warm color and earthy taste, but also receives a lot of attention because of curcumin and natural antioxidants.

More and more people are therefore looking into the effects of turmeric, how to use it daily and what to watch for when buying and applying it. In this guide you can read everything about curcumin, the different forms of turmeric and how to easily use this spice within a varied diet.

Are you mainly curious what turmeric exactly is, how it tastes and which dishes you can make with it?  Then also read our other blog about turmeric.

What is curcumin?

Curcumin is the best-known natural compound in turmeric. This compound belongs to the group of curcuminoids and is responsible for the characteristic yellow-orange color of the spice.

Curcumin is widely researched because of its antioxidant properties and its role in nutrition and supplements.

We often run to the drugstore for a quick fix, but have you ever really looked inside your kitchen cabinet? Hidden among the jars for your dinner are powerful allies for your health. From bloating to an afternoon slump: nature already has the answer ready. At Natural Spices we dive into the world of functional herbs and spices.

For the modern woman, self-care is often something that has to be squeezed in. But what if you could integrate self-care into your daily rituals? No complicated supplements, just pure, unprocessed ingredients of the highest quality.

Here are five remedies you can make today with the basics from your kitchen cabinet.

1. The Morning Reset: Warm Water with Cloves

Do you often start the day with coffee on an empty stomach? Try flipping that around. A cup of warm water with two or three crushed whole cloves is an age-old ritual.

• Why? Clove is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world. It stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, helping you absorb nutrients

A fresh breath is not achieved only with mint or gum. Spices such as star anise, clove, cinnamon and cardamom have been used for centuries as natural breath fresheners.

They work antibacterially, support your digestion and help neutralize odors from the inside. That is exactly why you also find them in traditional teas and herbal blends around the world.

In this blog I share 3 simple recipes with spices that are not only tasty but also contribute to fresh breath.

1. Spiced tea with star anise, clove & cinnamon

A powerful, warming tea that immediately helps against bad breath.

Ingredients (2 cups)

• 2 star anise

• 3 cloves

• 1 cinnamon stick (or ½ tsp ground cinnamon)

• 2 cardamom pods (lightly crushed)

• 500 ml water

• Optional: a slice of orange or lemon

Method

1. Bring the water to a boil.

2. Add all the spices.

3. Let steep gently for 10 minutes.

4. Strain and serve warm.

Why this works

• Star anise & clove work strongly antibacterially

• Cinnamon helps reduce bacteria in the mouth

• Cardamom is traditionally