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The good spice guide

  As people all over Britain will testify, sometimes there really is nothing like a good curry.

But what few people realise is that as well as being fragrant and delicious, the herbs and spices found in Indian cuisine can have some surprising medicinal effects.

This is linked to Ayurveda, the traditional holistic medicine of India.

According to ayurvedic principles, spices and herbs found in curries are the key to good digestion. They are also great aphrodisiacs and boast a whole variety of other health benefits.

The idea is that everything on earth - including ourselves - is based on five elements - air, fire, earth, water and ether which combine to create three kinds of energy, or doshas, known as vata, pitta and kapha.

Roughly speaking, vata is ruled by wind or air, pitta by fire and kapha by earth.

'Spices have heat qualities so they set fire to the digestive system and generate a good flow of energy,' says ayurvedic nutritionist Angela Hope-Murray. 'They also serve to speed up metabolic rates throughout the body which is a good energy booster.'

Satisfying the system of six tastes - sweet, sour, salty, bitter, astringent and pungent - is also very important because this combination forms the building blocks of the body - the bone, fat, muscles, blood and lymphatic glands - the body's own cleansing system.'

Here are the top ten healing spices in curries, what they are good for and the curries you will find them in:

Bishop's Weed or Ajwain
A spice with warming qualities that improves digestion by increasing the flow of enzymes in the stomach. This means it reduces flatulence and helps with bloatedness.
Bishop's Weed is also good for rheumatism. Because of its heat properties, Bishop's Weed neutralises poisons in the blood and unblocks any toxins lodged between the joints.
Its seeds are considered an aphrodisiac when fried in ghee (clarified butter) with tamarind seeds. Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe one teaspoon of crushed tamarind seeds fried in ghee in a glass of honey and warm milk, taken before bed to increase virility.
Where to find it: Bishop's Weed is found in dahl and any pulse dish. It is also used as a garnish for seasoning.

Arjuna
Arjuna comes from a tree whose white bark, powdered and taken with milk, is said to be an aphrodisiac. It is also a cardiotonic, explains Dr Mauroof Athique, of the College of Ayurveda. 'This means it stimulates the heart muscle to draw in nutrients from the blood. It is also good for asthmatics because it reduces congestion in the lungs.'
Where to find it: Arjuna is not a culinary herb but is often found in traditional Indian households for medicinal purposes.

Almond
A nut with cooling properties that is said to increase a man's semen and boost virility. Its cooling quality reduces pitta (the heat producing element of the body). It is particularly good for the liver which generates alot of heat.
You can also take almond oil externally. Often used for massage, it is an effective pain reliever for headaches, stiff neck and shoulders because it reduces tense muscles.
For liver problems, take a daily dose of mix crushed almonds with one tablespoon of warm milk and a pinch of saffron.
Where to find it: Found as an almond base in all kormas.

Saffron
This rich aromatic flavouring is found in the spice-producing crocus: the Spanish white/purple flower bearing stigmas filled with saffron. Its heating properties stimulates the flow of male and female hormones making it an effective aphrodisiac. Where to find it: Found as a garnish in pilau rice and birianis. Saffron also makes a delicious drink with almond and milk. It is added as a dressing to Payasam - a rice pudding - for its colour, aroma and effect.

Tumeric
With its pungent smell, turmeric is a great antiseptic and helps heal any skin problems including eczema and psoriasis - a skin disease marked by red scaly patches. Turmeric is a great detox because it helps support the body by breaking down toxins in the liver. It also cleanses the blood by the same process by causing the body to perspire.
Where to find it: Tumeric forms part of garam masala - the yellow curry powder made up of coriander, cumin and tumeric. It is used as a flavouring and colouring in almost all Indian dishes.