Adding spices to smoothies is a good idea to get healthy smoothies. Try these recipes for smoothies with medicinal spices!
Many of the spices we have in our kitchens contain antioxidants and other therapeutic substances that help us take care of our health. Know the most suitable to customize your healthy shake!
There are over a hundred spices that are used in traditional cuisine around the world every day. With their aromas and nutrients, they allow us to enhance the flavor of other foods and provide us with interesting nutrients.
Some of these spices are much more than condiments, they also possess therapeutic properties. Today we propose 5 medicinal spices that you can add to your healthy smoothies to increase their benefits and give them a “special” touch.
5 SPICES FOR YOUR SMOOTHIE RECIPES
Within the spice category we find a wide variety of seeds, fruits or barks. Many come from Asia, especially Indonesia, but there are also several originating in Europe.
This time we have selected spices with excellent properties that you can easily find in any herbalist or supermarket.
SAFFRON: ANTIOXIDANT PEACH SMOOTHIE
Saffron is a spice with a lot of history, originally from Iran, whose name of Persian origin means “golden stigmas”. The spice is obtained by collecting by hand the red stigmas of the delicate flower of Crocus sativus L.
Due to its characteristics and properties, it has always been a highly appreciated condiment. It contains bitter substances and a high concentration of antioxidants that give it a protective effect on the liver and neurological system. It also acts as a cholesterol reducer. Read this post if you want to know more about saffron and its properties.
RECIPE FOR PEACH AND SAFFRON SMOOTHIE:
To make your peach and saffron antioxidant smoothie you need only three ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 2 yellow-fleshed peaches
- 1 glass of almond drink (you can make it at home by following our almond milk recipe)
- 1 pinch of saffron stigmas
Preparation:
- Peel and cut the peaches.
- Mix all the ingredients in the blender.
If you want a creamier result, you can add half a banana to the mixture.
CARDAMOM: CREAMY AVOCADO SMOOTHIE
This spice has an intense and delicate aroma and is a classic in Indian spice blends. When we talk about cardamom, we refer to the fruit of Elettaria cardamomum, a plant of the same family of ginger and native to India.
The fruit and seeds contain fatty acids, essential oils and antioxidants that give this spice digestive properties (it is carminative and aperitive). In Ayurvedic medicine, it is also used as an antiviral, antibacterial, sedative and antifungal.
AVOCADO AND CARDAMOM SMOOTHIE RECIPE
To make your creamy avocado and cardamom smoothie you need banana in addition to avocado and some lemon juice and water or vegetable milk.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 avocado
- 1 small banana
- 1/2 lemon (juice)
- 1 glass of milk, filtered water or vegetable drink to taste
- 2 cardamom pods (we use the seeds)
Preparation:
- Place the peeled and cut fruits inside in the blender, add the rest of the ingredients and the ground cardamom seeds.
- Mix everything and enjoy!
If you want to take your smoothie very cold, you can replace the milk with a glass of ice cubes or cut the banana into pieces and freeze it before adding it to the rest of the ingredients in your healthy smoothie recipes.
CAYENNE: WITH CITRUS OR MANGO
It is a classic in many Mediterranean recipes and the use of this spice in the preparation of sweet dishes and drinks is not a novelty. The spice consists of the whole fruit of Capsicum annuum, a plant native to South America.
Cayenne extracts, rich in resins and other active substances, act as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic. The intake of this spice promotes digestion, has detox, antibiotic effect and protects our circulatory system. If you want to know more about its benefits do not miss the post Guindilla: the spicy medicine in the pantry.
If you like its spicy flavor, try it in juices and citrus smoothies.
MANGO SMOOTHIE RECIPE WITH CAYENNE
In addition to citrus smoothies, you can also prepare a spicy mango smoothie with cayenne pepper with only three ingredients.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mango pulp
- 1 cup milk (or vegetable drink to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne tea powder or 1/4 chopped fresh chilli
Preparation:
Pour all the ingredients into the blender and mix until you get a creamy smoothie.
You can adapt the dose of cayenne pepper to taste and replace the mango pulp with a nectarine and half a banana.
CLOVE: REFRESHING MELON SMOOTHIE
The cartouch, or cloves, is obtained from the flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum, a tree native to Indonesia and cultivated today in many tropical areas.
Among its active compounds are essential oils with antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiviral and analgesic properties.
Its extracts are used in the dental sector in the preparation of anesthetics for topical application. Traditionally this spice has been used for its carminative power.
Add it in infusions and smoothies to enjoy its aroma and benefit from its digestive and antiseptic effects of the oral mucosa.
RECIPE FOR MELON SMOOTHIE WITH CLOVES
I tell you first how to prepare your refreshing melon and clove smoothie. Then you will find some tips to make it creamier if you want.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cantaloupe chopped into pieces
- 1/4 teaspoon clove powder (best if freshly ground)
- 100 ml filtered water (or more if you prefer)
Preparation:
- Place the ingredients in the blender.
- Mix until homogeneous consistency.
For a creamier result you can replace the water with 2-3 tablespoons of natural yogurt or a vegetable drink (almond, coconut, oatmeal, etc.).
If you want it even more refreshing, freeze the melon pulp before passing it through the blender.
ANISE: BANANA SMOOTHIE IDEAL FOR BREAKFAST
Green anise (Pimpinella anisum L.) is a medicinal plant especially indicated to combat gas and promote good digestion. For this purpose, the infusion of its fruits is used, rich in essential oils that give this spice its characteristic aniseed aroma.
You can use the cold infusion of green anise in your recipes of smoothies with fruits to give them an aromatic and sweet touch. And, of course, to take advantage of the digestive properties of this spice. Instead of green anise, you can also use star anise (llicium verum Hooker fil.), with similar properties.
BANANA AND ANISE SMOOTHIE RECIPE
You can prepare a healthy and digestive banana and anise smoothie ideal to take with breakfast. It is prepared from the infusion.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cold green anise infusion
- 1 banana
- 2 dates
Preparation:
- To prepare the green anise infusion, use 1 teaspoon of anise fruits per cup of boiling water. Let it stand 10 minutes before straining and cool it in time to use it in your smoothie.
- Remove seeds from dates.
- Cut the banana into pieces.
- Mix all the ingredients in the blender.
You can also prepare the cold infusion with star anise and add other spices Ssuch as cloves and cardamom to give a more aromatic touch to your healthy fruit smoothies.
SPICES ARE HEALTHY IF USED IN MODERATION
Spices such as those we have selected in this article contain medicinal substances that are used in the production of drugs, master formulas and cosmetics. When these products are taken for therapeutic purposes, the doses and times of treatment will be indicated by a health professional.
If we take spices for culinary purposes the amounts are usually small and will hardly produce side effects. Anyway, we must bear in mind that many of the spices we consume on a daily basis can be toxic if we ingest them in high doses.
