My mother and grandmother, both now long dead, used to tell me about wearing foul smelling "acifidity bags" to ward off disease. At the time I just thought "that's weird." Now, I'm not so sure. My slow conversion to understanding there may be more to all this than I thought started several years ago. When I complained about the side effects of a drug she had prescribed for me, my primary care physician suggested I take a particular natural supplement instead. So, I did...and it worked. I mean, it worked so well that the condition I was being treated for has disappeared. Not only that, it was also inexpensive. So, I started to wonder how else my health, and my wife's health, might be improved or maintained by natural things. It didn't become a quest, but I decded to pay more attention to the subject. Below, I'll relate a bit of what I've learned. Others may have something to contribute. Maybe someone will benefit.
The first thing I learned was that some folks are making and selling concoctions of herbs and spices and advertising them as cures for whatever ails you. They're also making lots of money using pyramid marketing schemes and charging outrageous prices. Nothing new there, right?
Let's skip the marketing and testimonials and get to what you might use. Succinctly, I suggest you buy/read the book "Healing Spices." It's the best source I've come across. The author is a PhD endocrinologist at MD Anderson...one of the most highly acclaimed medical centers in the country. I have several other books...all good in their own way...but this book is the best.
If you're struggling with your weight...read what he says about eating almonds. If you have MS, take a look at black cumin. Memory loss or Alzeheimers...take a look at saffron and cocoa. If you want to consider a broad spectrum preventative, read what he says about tumeric. Read about spices that help with diabetes. Cinnamon, for example. Depression? Maybe you can use nature's "prozac." Make your own informed decisions. Talk with your physician.
By the way, the prime ingredient of that old acifidity bag turns out to have been asofoetidia...an extract from a plant in the fennel family....now considered by many to have strong anti-viral components that may be better than many more modern and more expensive drugs. I've read that used in cooking (cook a little in butter), the odor goes away and imparts a strong, sweet onion/garlic flavor.
My hope in writing this is that someone may find some assistance to their health issues and that their life will be improved. Mine has been.