Modern health stores are packed to the rafters with all kinds of weird and wonderful potions and lotions to promote well-being, but did you know that there are a few little nutritional prize fighters are already hiding in your spice rack? The ancients were gaga about spices; in fact if it weren’t for spices there would be a whole lot of continents that would still be blissfully undiscovered. Today, we discuss five of our spicy sidekicks that belong at the top of your health shop grocery list.

1. Cinnamon. That’s right; the delicious, dusty-brown spice you got on your grandma’s pancakes is a health food. What are the odds? Made from the dried inner bark of a tropical tree, cinnamon can be bought as sticks or ground up in a shaker at any good grocery- or health store. Its nutritional super powers can be attributed to two compounds called ‘eugenol’ and ‘cinnamaldehyde’, which have pain relieving and sedative properties respectively. Cinnamon also improves circulation and has anti-inflammatory and blood thinning benefits.

Recipe ideas: Try a little cinnamon in your chai tea or makes some cinnamon baked apples. Or just stick to pancakes – your choice.

2. Thyme: No matter what the time (get it? ha ha!), thyme is always a good idea. This delicate looking herb has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection with chest and respiratory problems which include coughs, bronchitis, and chest congestion. It also packs a mean anti-cancer punch and is an antiseptic to boot! Mincing some thyme into your vinaigrette will not only make it taste yummy, it will also ensure that your greens are safe to eat – the volatile oil component of thyme has been shown to do away with all sorts of nasty bacteria and fungi.

Recipe ideas: Season a hearty winter soup with thyme or add a few stalks to your favourite pasta sauce.

3. Ginger: Ginger beer, ginger bread – ginger is another childhood favourite that deserves a place in your adult diet by merit of its nutritional value. Aromatic, pungent and spicy, this odd-looking spice has been an essential ingredient of Asian and Indian cooking for centuries. It contains antioxidants and has been proven to calm spasms and reduce flatulence. People who suffer from queasiness associated with pregnancy, hangovers and travel sickness can also benefit from its anti-inflammatory effect on the digestive system.

Recipe ideas: Spice up rice side dishes with grated ginger and sesame seeds or add ginger and orange juice to pureed sweet potato for an interesting alternative to mashed potatoes.

4. Cilantro: Cilantro has a fragrant flavour that is reminiscent of both citrus peel and sage and is a popular accompaniment to soups and stews. And here’s why it’s so good for you. It’s high in vitamins A and K, as well as beta-carotene and beneficial phytochemicals. And (get this) in a recent study by the University of California in Berkeley, it was more effective in killing salmonella than a powerful prescription antibiotic!

Recipe ideas: Add it to a salsa, squash it up with some avocado for guacamole or stir some into an egg mixture before making an omelette.

5. Parsley: Do not be fooled by this seemingly inconspicuous garnish – just because restaurants have banished it to the side of the plate doesn’t mean you should. Parsley is very high in vitamin K, a nutrient that is important to ensure normal blood coagulation. It also contains vitamin A, lutein and flavonoids that protects against cancer, allergies and heart disease. Plus, as a bonus, it makes your breath smell better after indulging in garlicky goodness.

Recipe ideas: Add parsley to pesto for a bit of texture or serve it as part of a colourful salad of fennel, orange, cherry tomatoes, pumpkin seeds and parsley leaves. Yum!

See, health foods don’t need to be gross or boring. There is nutritional value hiding in things you never even imagined. If you would like to know more about the specific health benefits of certain spices, why not purchase a book on the subject next time you visit your favourite health food stores online?