The blend in the Pumpkin Spice mix are all Chinese herbs that are commonly used in cooking as well as medicinally. In this article, we will uncover their health benefits and offer 3 warm, cooked, lightly sweetened recipes that are good for you in this season.
The medicinal properties of pumpkin & pumpkin spice blend
These spice in the Pumpkin Spice mix are all Chinese herbs used in cooking as well as medicinally. Here they are along with their actions on the body.
PUMPKIN | (Nan Gua 南瓜)
Pumpkin is known for its ability to tonify qi. It also helps to regulate blood circulation, expel cold, resolve dampness and phlegm. In general the ancient Chinese medical texts cite that it enters the lung, stomach, spleen, and large intestine.
Read here about eating orange colored foods for caring for your spleen in the late summer.
CINNAMON | (Gui Zhi 桂枝) - Warms digestion and gets rid of mucus, reduces pain that is due to cold
GINGER | (Sheng Jiang 生姜) - Gets rid of cold, warms digestion, and stops cough
NUTMEG | (Rou Dou Kou 肉豆蔻) - Warms digestion
CARDAMOM | (Bai Dou Kou 白豆蔻) - Gets rid of dampness, strengthens and warms digestion
CLOVE | (Ding Xiang 丁香) - Very warming and aromatic
Of course, all of these benefits disappear if one eats too much sugar (inflammatory...). Prefer rock sugar ( 冰糖) or no sugar at all! But we can indulge, everything in moderation!
Pumpkin Spice Golden Milk (dairy-free)
Pumpkin spice blend to taste
1 tbsp pumpkin puree
1/2 tsp powdered Turmeric (a little goes a long way)
1 cup Almond milk or Oat milk
Honey to taste
Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan and heat-up for 3 to 5 minutes.
Add to blender, blend for 20 seconds and serve right away.
Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
For one serving
1/2 cup dry uncooked oats
salt to taste
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon of spice blend
1 tablespoon 100% maple syrup
On a stove top
Add add oats, water, almond milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla, spice and salt, and stir to pot, and stir to combine.
Bring to a boil over medium high heat.
Stir, reduce heat, and simmer about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Stir, remove from heat, and cover for 5 minutes.
Serve with maple syrup and optional toppings (walnuts, dates, craisins, apple slices, etc.)
Pumpkin Spice creamy Soup
Pumpkin, butternut or kabocha squash
fresh ginger
cream (dairy or non dairy)
nutmeg, cardamom
Salt to taste
Steam or boil the pumpkin
Add in a blender with cream and spices
eat!
And you, what's your favorite way to combine pumpkin and spices ?
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