Spices that Heal: The Medicinal Magic of Cinnamon, Clove & Nutmeg
The best part of Christmas baking is the spices! The aroma of these spices is enough to paint a picture of a tree and a cozy fire in your mind's eye… And it’s more than just a yummy thing. It's basically herbal medicine disguised as dessert.
The spices we associate with festive treats have deep roots in traditional healing systems, and their therapeutic benefits are still celebrated today. Let’s explore the medicinal magic of three seasonal favourites: cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.
As well as some healthy ways to enjoy alongside your tried and true family recipes!
Cinnamon: Warming, Circulating, Blood-Sugar Balancing
Cinnamon is the fan favorite of winter spices… sweet, warming, and supportive on multiple levels.
Key Benefits
Blood Sugar Regulation: Cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and help stabilize post-meal glucose.
Anti-inflammatory Effects: Rich in polyphenols that help calm systemic inflammation.
Digestive Support: The warming energy of cinnamon can ease gas and sluggish digestion.
Circulatory Booster: Helps improve peripheral circulation, great for cold hands and feet.
How to Use It
Add a teaspoon to oatmeal or chia pudding.
Brew cinnamon stick tea.
Toss it into holiday baking to soften the glycemic load.
Sprinkle on roasted squash or sweet potatoes for a cozy, therapeutic side dish.
** Be careful to use True Cinnamon (Ceylon Cinnamon) for larger or regular use as the spicer Saigon Cinnamon (most commercially used) can have adverse effects in large quantities!
Clove: Antimicrobial Powerhouse & Digestive Ally
Clove is one of those spices people tend to love or hate.. Probably due to its use as a numbing agent in dentistry of the past! It brings that deep, spicy sweetness that instantly smells like Christmas Magic. Medicinally, it’s a stealthy powerhouse.
Key Benefits
Potent Antimicrobial: Traditionally used to fight bacteria, viruses, and fungal overgrowth.
Digestive Champion: Helps relieve bloating, nausea, and indigestion.
Natural Analgesic: Clove oil has been used for centuries to soothe toothaches and minor pain.
Rich in Antioxidants: Clove is one of the highest antioxidant spices on record.
How to Use It
Add whole cloves to simmer pots or teas for digestive support.
Use ground cloves sparingly in baking, they are potent!
Add a pinch to homemade chai blends.
Make a clove-and-orange stovetop simmer to cleanse the air naturally.
Nutmeg: Nervous System Soother & Digestive Comfort
Nutmeg brings warmth, depth, and a gentle calming effect, perfect for the winter season!
Key Benefits
Digestive Relief: Traditionally used for nausea, gas, and digestive cramping.
Relaxing Aromatic: Nutmeg has mild nervous-system soothing qualities, lovely for nighttime rituals.
Anti-inflammatory: Contains compounds that help calm inflammatory pathways.
Circulatory Support: Warms the body and encourages healthy blood flow.
** Nutmeg should be used in culinary doses only, high doses can be toxic.
How to Use It
Freshly grate over lattes, hot chocolate, or eggnog.
Add to baked goods like gingerbread or pumpkin loaf.
Sprinkle a little into warm milk or dairy-free milk before bed.
Mix with cinnamon and cardamom for a beautiful digestive spice blend.
Why Your Body Loves Warming Spices in Winter
These spices share three common actions that are especially relevant during cold weather:
They improve circulation, helping blood flow to cold extremities.
They support digestion, which naturally slows as temperatures drop.
They have anti-inflammatory properties, supporting joint health and resilience during winter months.
They elevate mood, thanks to their aromatic compounds and grounding energetics.
In other words, bring on the holiday spices!
Recipes:
Get your cinnamon in amid crispy buckwheat waffles.
Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg make these muffins a warming on the go snack.
A traditional festive favourite! Cook longer for a lower, or alcohol free version.
Can be served with or without alcohol for a traditional, nutmeg forward holiday treat.
Make your easy, make ahead breakfast work even harder for you with yummy holiday spices!
A spiced side to any holiday or winter meal with stick to your ribs squash.
A great way to use up those persimmons you buy every Christmas because they look pretty and exotic!
Pumpkin Pizza with Crispy Sage
Nutmeg makes a surprise appearance on this yummy winter pizza
A yummy and healthy topper to waffles, oatmeal or with a scoop of vanilla yogurt or icecream for dessert.
The magic of the holidays isn’t only in the lights, gatherings, or treats, it’s in the ancient, healing traditions woven into our seasonal foods and smells. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg remind us that nourishment is multidimensional. They warm the body, soothe the gut, support the immune system, and bring a sense of comfort that’s both physical and emotional.
When you reach for these spices this season, you’re not just baking. You’re practicing herbal medicine with every pinch!