Healthiest must add Ingredients from Every one's Kitchen by Joyce

Cardomom decreases heat and enhances digestion. It should be added in sweet dishes and non veg food.

Cumin seeds should be an ingredient of soups and curries. It reduces Pitha humour and increases apetite.

Ginger should be included in curd, butter milk and non-veg food. It is good for the management of Oesteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis. According to a study in 2006 at University of Michigan comprehensive Cancer Center, Ginger helps against Ovarian cancer. Since this herb has no side effects it is advised to include Ginger in adequate amount to prevent cancer and inhibit the growth of cancerous cell. Dried ginger is one of the main ingredients of Siddha medicine, it cures indigestion Rheumatism etc.

Garlic cures the disorders cause due to three humours. It should be included in the food stuffs prepared from bulbous roots, pulses and non vegetarian foods. It helps in controling Cholesterol level and adviced in patients suffering from Hypercholestrolemia and Hypertension.

Asafoetida cures worm infestation and indigestion. A little amount is enough to removethe ill effects of pulses. It should be fried, powdered and then used.

Fenugreek is a spice bitter in taste but very healthy. It reduces Pitha and good for Gastritis. It should be added in butter milk and pungent foods. The Kanjhi or gruel prepared from little fenugreek is good for abdominal ailments and lactating mother. It is also a Lactogouge.

Turmeric having bitter and pungent taste should be added in all dishes except sweet dishes. It increases appetite neutralises three humours and removes toxic substances. It is Anti-cancerous.

Pepper cures poison, Kapha diseases and acts as an Antidote. A healing agent for variety of ailments like ear disorders, liver diseases, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, skin diseases etc. Piperine, the alkaloid in pepper helps the nutrients for easy absorbtion in blood, increases digestion, improves brain function, reduces depression, controls respiratory problems and has high effect in fighting cancer of colon. Good for body and mind, it is a complete health booster.

Nutrition plays a very important role in maintaining over all good health. Following a healthy diet promote healing with out medication and helpful in prevention of diseases also. Siddhars like Thiruvalluvar considered and equated food to medicine decades back to create the importance of nutrition. But today due to life style changes people are prone to diseases and sufferings. Even after consuming numerous pills daily they are unaware of the importance of nutrition and healthy food.