Campaign to make India the land of spice-veda

KOCHI: India which is known as the land of ayurveda might soon acquire another distinction globally as 'land of spice veda' if the proposed Spices Board campaign yields the targeted impact.
The Spices Board is working out a campaign focusing on the health benefits of spices as part of the efforts to promote exports, the Board Chairman, Dr. A.Jayathilak, said during an interaction programme with TOI journalists here recently.
Almost all the spices have medicinal values. Peppercorns contain impressive list of plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. Peppers have been in use since ancient times for its anti-inflammatory, carminative, anti-flatulent properties
Cinnamon tea has been consumed to alleviate colds and congestion, and to treat diarrhoea. Cinnamon contains a number of powerful antioxidant compounds, so it helps to prevent premature destruction of healthy cells in the body. It also processes anti-microbial activity, so it helps to reduce the risk of diseases caused by bacteria. But the medicinal use of cinnamon gaining the most attention these days concerns blood sugar stabilization. Cinnamon contains a compound called cinnamtannin B1 that helps to combat Type 2 diabetes.
Small cardamom is a stimulant and carminative, it is used for indigestion and flatulence.
In India, green cardamom is broadly used to treat infections of teeth and gums. It is used to prevent and treat throat trouble, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive disorders. It is also reportedly used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venom.
In Arab countries, cardamom is used as aphrodisiac. In several places, nutmeg is used as ingredient to flavour hot drinks like rum.
Turmeric is used extensively in the Indian systems of medicine since time immemorial. It is used as a carminative and stomachic in the treatment of digestive disorders such as flatulence, bloating, and appetite loss. It is currently being evaluated for its anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic properties.Garlic appears to have anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. As a remedy, it is used for the cure of wounds, ulcers, skin infections, flu, athlete's foot, some viruses, strep, worms, respiratory ailments, high blood pressure, blood thinning, cancer of the stomach, colic, colds, kidney problems, bladder problems, and ear aches.
The campaign details are being worked out. Spices exports from India doubled from $0.52 billion in 2005 to $1.17 billion in 2010. In 2010-11 it had shot up to $1.20 billion and the target is to jack it up to $10 billion in 2025, the Chairman said.
Elimination of p[pesticide content will be a prerequisite for promotion of exports and the Spices Board is launching various initiatives to ensure that Indian spices are free from pesticide residue, Chairman said.