Those spices that make the holidays so special, are actually very good for you, too

Is pumpkin spice season over yet? I know the annual return of the PSL at Starbucks is a real and true thing for some people. But aren’t you ready for the rest of the holiday spice cabinet to take the stage? Cinnamon! Clove! Nutmeg! Cardamom! Anise!

There are quite a few unique health benefits to the holiday spices. Enough to make me wonder if only half of the reason we crave them in the cold seasons is because they taste good. It’s not foolish to think that our body loves holiday spices because they keep us healthy around the time that we tend to catch colds and overeat. I’ll tell you what I mean.

Cinnamon: This herb has antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Cinnamon has a sweet, spicy smell and a sharp flavor. Slip a cinnamon stick into the teapot after a heavy holiday meal. It stimulates sluggish digestion and relieves gas. It has also been known to help keep blood sugar stabilized. This is good news considering all of the pies and cakes in our future!

Cloves: A clove is actually a dried bud of a particular myrtle tree, and its warm, potent smell is instantly recognizable. If you’ve ever had a toothache, you may know that neat clove oil is a potent analgesic. Like cinnamon, cloves settle an upset stomach. I like to make a paste with honey, cinnamon, clove, and cardamom then pour hot water and an herbal tea bag. A delicious, soothing after dinner drink in winter.

Nutmeg: Yet again, count on nutmeg to help ease an upset or acidized stomach. Is it any wonder these spices congregate in holiday desserts? Our full stomachs surely get some benefit from a slice of pumpkin pie full of nutmeg and allspice. Its mild, aromatic smell is relaxing to boot.

Cardamom: This magical little seed can be added to coffee to detoxify the caffeine and added to warm milk to neutralize its mucus-forming properties. Over the holidays, try it in tea or a warm toddy to help digest a fatty, starchy meal more easily. It also helps with coughs, colds, and congestion.

Anise: You may know this licorice-flavored spice from Italian cookies or liqueurs. The seed it comes from helps to balance blood sugar and mood swings, so a sip of Sambuca may be just the trick before a hectic holiday dinner. It is also high in antioxidants like vitamins C and A. Consider anise a welcome boost at a time when you may be running on low.

You see, there are lots of reasons to give the other seasonal spices their just due. And honestly, what is a pumpkin spice? It takes just one bite of an actual pumpkin to know that there ain’t even a little bit of natural spice in that thing.

Natalia Naman Temesgen is a playwright and professor of creative writing at Columbus State University in Columbus.