Spice Up Your Home and Boost Your Body with Christmas Spices

Christmas is just around the corner and preparations are in full swing - still need to buy a few gifts, light the last candle on the Advent wreath, and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in a house filled with the scent of Christmas cookies. So let's talk about spices that are an essential part of these beloved Christmas treats.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an inseparable part of every Christmas - we can hardly imagine gingerbread cookies without the aroma of cinnamon, which is a component of gingerbread spice. And what about mulled wine or Christmas punch that warms you up properly in winter? But did you know that this spice also has healing properties? It can help, for example, with joint and muscle pain, loss of appetite, digestive problems, or colds. Cellulite, rheumatism, and menstrual problems? Yes, cinnamon can help you with these issues too.

Cloves

With their typical aroma and taste, they are perfect for traditional Christmas drinks, just like cinnamon, and they also excel in their healing effects. Cloves help, for example, with toothache, periodontitis, or unsightly tooth decay - so if you want beautiful teeth, eat cloves... (that's a joke, of course :))

Anise

Sweet anise seeds with their characteristic aroma are made for Christmas cookies. This spice should definitely not be missing from your home, not only for its taste and aroma but also for the healing properties that anise contains. Not only does it help with cough and colds, but it also suppresses flatulence, supports breast milk production, and intestinal problems will be an unpleasant thing of the past for you.

Star Anise

These are the fruits of the star anise tree, which have a star shape and are also added to Christmas cookies. It tastes almost like anise and its aroma is similar to candy. Star anise is an excellent remedy for cough and loss of appetite, has calming effects, and speeds up metabolism.

Ginger

When I think of ginger, the first thing that comes to mind is wonderful ginger tea that cures all kinds of colds and flu. But does anyone still bake the almost forgotten ginger cookies?

Coconut

Coconut cookies, coconut bars or rolls, and lots of other cookies that simply cannot be missing from the Christmas table. And what's more, coconut strengthens brittle nails, hair, and bones, and invigorates a tired organism.

Vanilla

The cookies that make Christmas Christmas - yes, we're talking about vanilla crescents. As the name suggests, vanilla is their essential component, which is particularly evident in their sweet Christmas aroma. Vanilla supports digestion and helps with depression or insomnia.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg, with its sweetish, bitter and also pungent taste, is part of many Christmas cookie recipes, but it's also added to liqueurs, sauces and for preparing meat. Just a little bit is enough, you shouldn't underestimate its strength. Nutmeg supports the production of gastric juices and thus aids better digestion, but as already mentioned in limited amounts, otherwise it acts toxically!

Walnuts

Walnuts are an integral part of Christmas baking, not only are they used in fillings, for decoration, or in many other ways, but traditional Christmas customs also include the well-known floating of walnut shell boats. Do you also follow any Christmas traditions? Share them with us.

Saffron

Be careful with this bitter spice, it's used only in small pinches, because in larger doses it's poisonous. Not for nothing do people say "There's as much of it as saffron" (meaning very little), as it's one of the most expensive spices in the world.

Honey

With sweet honey we make gingerbread truly gingerbread, without it it just wouldn't be the same. And not only that, it fits into many other cookies, you can also use it instead of sugar in tea, which gives it a great taste and helps with colds.

Succade, Candied Fruit

Do you know succade? Surely yes, it's the well-known sweetened peel from lemon or orange, which we use, just like candied fruit, for preparing dough or fillings. For example, I use candied fruit most often in delicious macaroons. And what about you, do you have your own recipe?