Throughout history, the world’s spice trade has controlled most of the globe. Spices and herbs are now available practically everywhere in the globe, thanks to globalization.

However, not every spice and herb is beneficial to your health. Some spices, on the other hand, might be bad for health actually. But how can you determine which ones you should stay away from? Although there is no strict rule for limiting herbs and spices, various herbs and spices have been linked to a variety of negative side effects.

Read on to find out which herbs and spices you should stay away from. But first, it’s important to understand the distinction between the two.

What Is the Distinction Between Spices and Herbs?

Although spices and herbs may seem to be identical at first glance, there are significant distinctions between them.

Spice is just a component of a plant that is used in food. The spice may be used to enhance the taste, fragrance, or color of cuisine. Spices may be extracted from a plant’s dried bark, root, fruit, or seed.

Herbs, like other plant materials, may be utilized for medical, cosmetic, or even religious reasons as well as for cooking. Herbs may be fresh or used dried, but unlike spices, they do not include the plant’s leaves, stalks, or blossoms.

Spices and Herbs You Should Stay Away From

Here are some herbs and spices you should stay away from now that you know what they are. Depending on the dosage, the consequences might vary from moderate to severe toxicity.

Nutmeg

The first is nutmeg, which is manufactured from dried seeds collected from the Myristica trees. Nutmeg is a spice that originated in Indonesia and has become popular all over the globe. It’s a versatile spice that goes well with everything from curry to eggnog.

However, nutmeg does have a hidden disadvantage: it’s chemical composition. Elemicin and Myristicin are two chemical compounds found in nutmeg that may induce some unpleasant side effects. Nausea, disorientation, headaches, or even hallucinations are among the symptoms.

The excellent thing is that standard nutmeg dosages used in traditional dishes won’t cause these side effects.

Mace

Mace is a popular spice that comes from the Myristica tree, much like a nutmeg spice. Mace comes from the fruit around the seed, unlike in nutmeg, where just the seed is used. The nutmeg seed is left behind when the mace gets peeled off of the mature fruit before drying.

Another common spice in South Asia’s traditional cuisine is mace. It does, however, contain chemical components that are comparable to those highlighted in nutmeg. While a little dosage isn’t usually toxic, greater doses of mace may cause symptoms similar to nutmeg poisoning.

Datura

You’ve undoubtedly spotted Datura flowers growing in a backyard or in the wilderness. While Datura seems to be a lovely plant, it has a dark underbelly: large dosages may cause delirium, full psychosis, and hallucinations.

Datura, often known as a devil’s weed, moonflower, or hell’s bells, is not edible. As a result, you should stay away from this plant at all costs. Keep dogs and small children away from Datura plants that may be growing nearby.

Cinnamon

You may be shocked to learn that cinnamon is included on this list. After all, how can such a benign spice be dangerous? Cinnamon is a lovely ingredient to cinnamon buns, Frappuccino, and many desserts, but too much of it may be dangerous.

While moderate amounts of cinnamon are often used in traditional medicine and have been shown to offer health advantages, larger quantities may cause unpleasant side effects. Excessive cinnamon intake may lead to stomach distress, allergic responses, and even liver damage.

Sage (Salvia Divinorum)

Salvia Divinorum, sometimes called sage, is a plant that may have a variety of effects when taken.

Salvia Divinorum has historically been used for ceremonial and medicinal reasons rather than for cooking. Salvia Divinorum is chewed, smoked, or brewed into a tea by healers and shamans.

Dissociation, hallucinations, and depersonalization are all common adverse effects of Salvia use.

What Herbs and Spices Should You Add to Your Diet?

While there are some herbs and spices that you shouldn’t have in a lot of quantity, a lot of spices and herbs do have many benefits. The following ones can be great for you:

• • Turmeric: Is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-parasitic, and antiviral properties.
  • Ginger: Has a great level of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also great for people who experience morning sickness, motion sickness, and seasickness. It even has anti-cancerous effects.
  • Cumin: Is quite beneficial for cholesterol, weight loss, and stress management.
  • Peppermint: It has amazing cooling effects as well as improves digestive health. It also has antibacterial properties. It can also improve the function of the heart and lungs. The menthol and cooling effect when used in creams and ointments also provides relief from muscle pains.
  • Chili Powder: The spice can be conducive for weight loss by significantly reducing the fat deposit levels in the body. It has also been linked to better heart health.
  • Parsley: It can be a great treatment for allergies and high blood pressure. It is also full of beneficial vitamins, antioxidants, and carotenoids.

In Conclusion

When you consider herbs and spices that you should stay away from, be careful. Some of them may have negative side effects if taken in excess, while others must be avoided outright.

Always keep in mind that the dosage determines the poison. If you think you’ve consumed anything poisonous, call paramedics or seek medical help right once.