pumpkin spice

The leaves are changing, and that can only mean one thing: it’s Pumpkin Spice season!

Coffee, muffins, cakes, candy, and even candles have embraced the seasonal favorite — but is there more to the combination of spices than the extra-special flavor in our baked goods? You just might be surprised by some of the medical benefits of the famous pumpkin spice’s ingredients!

Allspice

  • May benefit digestion and aid stomach cramps.
  • High in antioxidants.
  • Shown to neutralize free-radicals (which cause cell damage).

Cloves

  • Numbing agent: Cloves produces a mild numbing effect, which is why it’s included in some over-the-counter oral hygiene products.
  • Good source of manganese, vitamin K, dietary fiber, iron, magnesium, and calcium.

Nutmeg

  • Pain relief from a variety of injuries or conditions like arthritis.
  • Shown to maintain brain function.
  • Oral health: Antibacterial properties lead to nutmeg’s inclusion in various oral hygiene products.
  • Sleep aid: Often used as a home remedy for insomnia, stimulates the release of serotonin which leaves you feeling relaxed or sedated.

Ginger

  • Relieves gastrointestinal stress.
  • Reduces nausea and vomiting.
  • Shown to have cancer-fighting properties.

Cinnamon

  • Shown to improve blood sugar management in type 2 diabetes patients.
  • Anti-clotting properties.
  • Good source of manganese, fiber, and calcium.

Make Your Own Pumpkin Spice

Follow the recipe to get the right blend of ingredients to make your own pumpkin spice!

Medical benefits of Pumpkin Spice

Editor's Note: This gallery was originally published on , and was last reviewed on .