A deep dive into the medicinal properties of common spices and condiments such as salt and pepper, mustard, spices etc. From the Prisoner’s Herbal book.
Links & resources from this episode
- Support Danny
- Kill The Bill Prisoner Support Fund
- Jorge International Action Alert
- Prisoner’s Herbal Book
Find them all at solidarityapothecary.org/podcast/
Music from Sole & DJ Pain – Battle of Humans | Plant illustrations by @amani_writes | In solidarity, please subscribe, rate & review this podcast wherever you listen.
Transcript
Welcome to the Frontline Herbalism podcast with your host, Nicole Rose from the Solidarity Apothecary.
Nicole Rose:This is your place for all things plants and liberation.
Nicole Rose:Let's get started.
Nicole Rose:Hello everyone.
Nicole Rose:Welcome back.
Nicole Rose:I hope you've had a chance to listen to the other episode I released today, which is about, , it's like an interview with a podcast called Herb Rally.
Nicole Rose:All about the prisoner's Herbal and my experiences inside and plant medicines and their role in kind of abolition and stuff.
Nicole Rose:So, yeah, check that out.
Nicole Rose:This episode today is kind of the next part of the prisoner's herbal book, which is all looking at how prisoners can use, like, kind of remedies they can find on the canteen.
Nicole Rose:So in England, the canteen is like, Basically like the prison shop, like you get a slip of paper under your door and you can like tick the boxes of what you want and that will come out of your like prison account.
Nicole Rose:But obviously like most people in prison, like don't receive any financial support, so they've literally got like seven quid or something of prison wages to buy, like extra things they need, like phone credit or snacks.
Nicole Rose:So yeah, it is very difficult for prisoners to access the things that I'm talking about.
Nicole Rose:, however, like some people in prison do work in prison kitchens where they're able to kind of like pinch stuff or, you know, use things to make tea.
Nicole Rose:People with more resources will often share with other people.
Nicole Rose:So a friend of mine who is inside, , actually during the pandemic, like he said, that a bunch of people like had covid and they all like, they read the book and they just like all kind of combined the different spices they had and made like kind of like turmeric kind of lattes, you know, like they mixed all these spices with milk and then they warmed it up and their kettles and they gave it out to people who were sick and like, yeah hearing stories like that just totally melt my heart.
Nicole Rose:You know, it's like a hundred percent why I wrote the book.
Nicole Rose:So, , yeah.
Nicole Rose:But for people who aren't in prison, which is gonna be people listening to this cuz most prisoners can't hear podcasts, sadly.
Nicole Rose:You know, like, this stuff is like stuff you can find around the house.
Nicole Rose:You know, like things that different people will have like different veg onions, like, do you know what I mean?
Nicole Rose:Like there's all sorts of creative ways that we can take care of ourselves and each other and Yeah, they don't have to be like fancy or expensive or something you buy from a whole foods store.
Nicole Rose:They can be things that are growing around you.
Nicole Rose:, yeah, that you can find like anywhere really.
Nicole Rose:So, , yeah, I hope you enjoy it.
Nicole Rose:And just a couple of solidarity shout outs.
Nicole Rose:So there's been a few people sent to prison this week, , from Bristol and one of them Danny would really like to receive post.
Nicole Rose:So he was sentenced to four and a half years, which is like a pretty hefty sentence to be honest, for fighting back against police attacks on the kill the bill demo in Bristol, which was in March, 2021.
Nicole Rose:You know, like he's been punished for daring to defend himself and others.
Nicole Rose:And yeah, we just wanna emphasize that like letters are a huge lifeline.
Nicole Rose:Like I talk about this a lot, but if you can please, please, please write him a letter.
Nicole Rose:That would be amazing.
Nicole Rose:I'll put a link to his, , prison number and address in the show notes.
Nicole Rose:And also that, yeah, we're supporting huge amounts of people in prison every month, like financially, emotionally, practically.
Nicole Rose:So yeah, if you can drop us any money, that is really appreciated.
Nicole Rose:And then the other solidarity call out I wanted to share is an international action alert, which has really been pitched for.
Nicole Rose:Today.
Nicole Rose:, so I talked about Jorge on a previous episode, read like kind of a longer text about his case and shared his crowdfunder, but there's like a kind of day of action today.
Nicole Rose:Okay, so what's happening?
Nicole Rose:So Jorge, oh, so sorry.
Nicole Rose:So, , Jorge's, , Mexican political prisoner and yeah.
Nicole Rose:What's happening Jorge, I'm just reading out a text now.
Nicole Rose:Jorge is being criminalized as part of an ongoing attack against the okupache squat in Mexico City, despite the overwhelming evidence that proves his innocence.
Nicole Rose:The arbitrary arrests and police brutality has, he has been subjected to and a legal case that have been plagued with irregularity since day one of the setup.
Nicole Rose:Jorge remains injustly locked up in the Reclusorio Oriente prison.
Nicole Rose:His hearings have been constantly postponed, which is a common practice with political prisoners in Mexico since it allows the state to draw out the legal process so as to keep them in prison as long as possible.
Nicole Rose:Well, Jorge's next hearing is this Friday, May 19th, and we need your support to demand justice for our compañero.
Nicole Rose:, so there's requests for people.
Nicole Rose:To, you know, contacting your local like, , Mexican embassy.
Nicole Rose:, sharing like the graphics.
Nicole Rose:I put some graphics on Instagram yesterday, like sharing them with your family communities, like writing him a letter, like making drawings, doing like banner drops.
Nicole Rose:Like there's all these things, like people just wanna have like visibility.
Nicole Rose:, for his case, you know, and for him and, , yeah, I just wanted to share that today.
Nicole Rose:Okay.
Nicole Rose:So yeah, have a listen to this canteen's remedy section, I think in America or like, so-called US.
Nicole Rose:, it's called the commissary.
Nicole Rose:, so yeah, maybe that is like more relatable.
Nicole Rose:Yeah.
Nicole Rose:For people on the outside just want you to listen to this stuff and think, Hey, like, what could I use next time I'm getting sick.
Nicole Rose:Okay.
Nicole Rose:, and I will be back soon.
Nicole Rose:Thanks.
Nicole Rose:All right, so let's get started with the medicinal uses of some common spices and condiments and yeah, I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna read out the chapter.
Nicole Rose:, so yeah, the majority of this information has come from the Fantastic Book Kitchen Medicine by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal.
Nicole Rose:As well as the herbal kitchen by Kami McBride and like the medicinal plants listed in this book.
Nicole Rose:I have not tried all of the below.
Nicole Rose:However, these are all very trusted herbalists list with very, with good reputation.
Nicole Rose:So I hope this information is useful.
Nicole Rose:Okay.
Nicole Rose:Chili powder, cayenne pepper.
Nicole Rose:Chili is good for people with poor circulation.
Nicole Rose:It can help move blood to their extremities, so making it useful for people with Raynauds and atherosclerosis.
Nicole Rose:Chili is also full of vitamin C.
Nicole Rose:It's known to kill some stomach nematodes, brackets, worms.
Nicole Rose:, chili can help people coming down with a cold flu or the chills in general, it's also useful for coughs.
Nicole Rose:, and just a side note there, like kind of like cold, damp coughs, I would say, rather than dry coughs.
Nicole Rose:, you can add a teaspoon to warm water and drink or add the powder to your food if you have no access to cayenne pepper.
Nicole Rose:Hot chili sauce can play a similar role in terms of warming you up and getting the blood moving.
Nicole Rose:If you cut yourself superficially, after you have rinsed the cart and clean water, you can then cover it with cayenne pepper.
Nicole Rose:It stings a little, but the, then the bleeding stops and you have effectively disinfected the wound.
Nicole Rose:Always be careful not to touch your eyes after handling cayenne Pepper.
Nicole Rose:You can also get the benefits of cayenne through hot pepper sauce.
Nicole Rose:However, it is really not for everyone.
Nicole Rose:If you already have quite a warm or hot constitution, it could heat your body up too much or give you heartburn or digestive troubles.
Nicole Rose:Listen to your body.
Nicole Rose:All right, cinnamon powder.
Nicole Rose:Cinnamon increases warmth and circulation in the body, which can often relieve pain in arthritic joints and the lower back cinnamon tea can help with menstrual cramps and nutrient spasms.
Nicole Rose:It is an age old remedy to use if you're coming down with a cough, sore throat, or cold.
Nicole Rose:It will help move congestion in your chest.
Nicole Rose:It can also be used as an aid to digestion, helping with nausea, flatulence, and recovery from diarrhea.
Nicole Rose:Cinnamon also can be mixed with water to make a mouthwash for inflamed guns.
Nicole Rose:There are claims that cinnamon contains properties that are beneficial for blood sugar regulation and treatment of type two diabetes.
Nicole Rose:Several small studies have linked cinnamon to better blood sugar levels and suggest it maker blood sugar by lowering insulin resistance.
Nicole Rose:, it's also an amazing herb that we use in our, , cough syrup.
Nicole Rose:Syrup for Calais.
Nicole Rose:Okay coriander powder coriander is anti-spasmodic.
Nicole Rose:It can help with cramp and spasms in the gut and can also relieve tension headaches.
Nicole Rose:You can add coriander powder to cornmeal or flour with some water and thicken it into a paste that can be applied to rheumatic joints to help ease the pain.
Nicole Rose:Warning, some people react to the oils, so stop if you develop a rash or red blotches can also help with anxiety and nervous tension.
Nicole Rose:Overall coriander is cooling and good in conditions where there's inflammation with heat.
Nicole Rose:Cumin powder cumin is a cognitive helping to support digestion by relieving bloating, gas, and griping pains.
Nicole Rose:It can also help move dampness in the chest, making it useful for chest infections and coughs.
Nicole Rose:Cumin is an anthelminitic.
Nicole Rose:Cumin is an anthelemitic, can never say that word, which means it can be, it can help expel parasitic worms.
Nicole Rose:It can also help with nausea, and for people who are breastfeeding, it encourages lactation.
Nicole Rose:Garlic powder.
Nicole Rose:, you can definitely get this in lots of prisons.
Nicole Rose:Okay.
Nicole Rose:Garlic contains very powerful antimicrobial compounds, meaning it can help fight off bacteria, parasites, and viruses.
Nicole Rose:If you're getting sick, eat garlic.
Nicole Rose:Not everyone can handle eating fresh or raw garlic, so sprinkle on your food if it makes it easier to take when you're feeling unwell, if you really don't like the taste, it is possible to get the benefits by rubbing a half clove on the bottom of your feet where it will enter , your bloodstream herbalist Julia Matthew Seale right that garlic was used in both the first and second world wars to treat battle wounds preventing sepsis and gangrene.
Nicole Rose:Garlic can also be used for toothache, but be careful because garlic is very hot and can actually burn the skin.
Nicole Rose:It is always best mixed in something like oil, garlic, cloves can also help with bloating, stomach cramps, and constipation.
Nicole Rose:In addition, garlic is also well-known, is a, is also a well-known support for the cardiovascular system and can help lower cholesterol.
Nicole Rose:Kami McBride says Garlic has been clinically studied as a heart medicine for more than 30 years and is, and its usefulness in supporting people with hypertension.
Nicole Rose:So high blood pressure and diabetes is well documented.
Nicole Rose:Garlic prevents blood clots and protects arteries from age-related stiffening.
Nicole Rose:It lowers high blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke.
Nicole Rose:A garlic can also be made to hold against the ear during ear infections or against a chest during a chest infection.
Nicole Rose:You can also place it on external wounds.
Nicole Rose:To make a garlic poultice crush up fresh garlic or use powdered garlic from the canteen.
Nicole Rose:If it's fresh, then crush it up until there reduces, place it on a cloth and then fold it over to cover it.
Nicole Rose:Then place the poultice in some warm water for a few seconds, squeeze out the water, and then press the poultice on the affected area.
Nicole Rose:Take it off immediately.
Nicole Rose:If it irritates the skin in any way, hold it there for a few minutes and then rewarm it to keep applying it.
Nicole Rose:And you know, like just another side note, like garlic isn't for everyone.
Nicole Rose:Constitutionally, it can be way too warming and stimulating for some people.
Nicole Rose:So, you know, just listen to your body, like don't use it if it doesn't make you feel good.
Nicole Rose:Garam masala.
Nicole Rose:Garam masala is a mixture of different spices commonly used in Indian and South Asian Cooking.
Nicole Rose:The word garram means hot and masala means spice blend.
Nicole Rose:I was blown way to see it on the prison canteen list, and I imagine it's supplied for people who are able to cook on their wings or units.
Nicole Rose:This amazing mix of spices can support immunity, helping with digestive processes, alleviate pain and lower blood sugar levels.
Nicole Rose:The ingredients vary region to region, but the common based mixture often includes black pepper, cardin, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, and nutmeg, some of which are explored individually in this section.
Nicole Rose:The blend will obviously taste the nicest when added to curries or to flavor rice dishes.
Nicole Rose:However, if you were coming down with a cold, you could also add a teaspoon of the spice mix to warm water and drink.
Nicole Rose:Ginger root is absolutely incredible.
Nicole Rose:In prison, it's likely that you can only access the powder, but it's still worth using.
Nicole Rose:Herbalist Kami McBride says Ginger helps with colds, flu, and coughs.
Nicole Rose:It relieves nausea motion.
Nicole Rose:Motion sickness, sea sickness and sore throats.
Nicole Rose:Ginger increases circulation, gets rid of mucus congestion, settles and upset stomach dispels gas, relieves aches and pains, reduces inflammation and menstrual cramps, supports the pancreas and stimulates digestion.
Nicole Rose:You can sprinkle the powder on food, such as your porridge.
Nicole Rose:You can also just add a teaspoon to some hot water and drink.
Nicole Rose:If you want to seriously sweat out a cold or a fever, you can add four tablespoons of ginger powder into a sock or a dried up.
Nicole Rose:Or tied up in a cloth and add it into your bath.
Nicole Rose:Run it under the hot water tap to help you extract it.
Nicole Rose:The bath will massively heat you up brackets.
Nicole Rose:You can even drink tea in the bath at the same Thyme.
Nicole Rose:, you can also make a ginger pice for boils by mixing the ginger powder with some flour or corn meal and some water.
Nicole Rose:To make a thick paste, apply the paste to a boil and cover with some cloth to keep in place.
Nicole Rose:, okay, hot curry powder.
Nicole Rose:Supermarket bought curry powder.
Nicole Rose:Similar to that, the prison service supplies commonly contains coriander, cayenne pepper, cumin, salt, yellow mustard seed, all spice, ginger black pepper, garlic, powder, paprika, turmeric, bay leafs, ground cinnamon, and cloves.
Nicole Rose:You can read about the spices individually in this section.
Nicole Rose:It can be used in similar ways to garam masala if you're unable to add it into meals.
Nicole Rose:A teaspoon in warm water will have a strong effect in warming you up and fighting an infection.
Nicole Rose:Mixed seasoning.
Nicole Rose:A typical mixed seasoning can contain basil, marjarom, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
Nicole Rose:All of these herbs could have long profiles about them and their amazing properties.
Nicole Rose:Adding them to meals will improve their nutritional quality.
Nicole Rose:Many have antimicrobial properties, which are why they were commonly added to foods.
Nicole Rose:Beyond giving meals more flavor, I wasn't able to access mixed herbs as a seasoning in prison.
Nicole Rose:But if I could, I would've had.
Nicole Rose:Definitely added them to meals and consumed them when I was getting sick by adding a few teaspoons to hot water and drinking the tea.
Nicole Rose:Mustard.
Nicole Rose:Okay.
Nicole Rose:Herbalist.
Nicole Rose:Kami McBride writes one of the strongest rubefacients in the world.
Nicole Rose:Mustard is a powerfully warming, penetrating, and moving hub.
Nicole Rose:A strong circulatory stimulant, mustard brings blood to the surface of the skin.
Nicole Rose:Which enhances nutrient delivery to and waste removal from the body.
Nicole Rose:If you are someone who moves around with chronically cold hands and feet, think about using a little mustard in your food as it increases circulation throughout the body.
Nicole Rose:Mustard use regularly can help reduce arthritic pain for such a tiny seed.
Nicole Rose:It is surprisingly vigorous in its ability to relieve paint congestion and stagnation.
Nicole Rose:Make sure to eat more mustard or have it in some water.
Nicole Rose:If you have a damp cold cough, you can't get rid of.
Nicole Rose:You can also add mustard to a foot bath.
Nicole Rose:Another traditional use was chest poultices.
Nicole Rose:Make sure mustard never touches the skin directly.
Nicole Rose:You can wrap it up in a cloth and apply to your chest to help with coughs and conditions like bronchitis, oats.
Nicole Rose:I know they're not a spice or a condiment, but I could not publish this book without highlighting the amazing and diverse uses of oats.
Nicole Rose:Oats are truly restorative to the nervous system.
Nicole Rose:They're rich in fiber and high quality protein, as well as many vitamins and minerals on the outside.
Nicole Rose:Oats straw bracket's milky Oats is what is mostly used medicinally to help people recover from burnout, trauma, and chronic stress in such a high stress environment like prison.
Nicole Rose:Oats are definitely something you want to be eating.
Nicole Rose:You can also apply oatmeal to your skin.
Nicole Rose:It can absorb and remove oil and bacteria and exfoliate dead skin cells.
Nicole Rose:Apply on as a pace for some water and leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off.
Nicole Rose:You can also wrap it in some material and add it to a bath to help sooth skin inflammation, or even just to help wind down and recover from stress.
Nicole Rose:Oats are helpful topically for dry itchy eczema.
Nicole Rose:Paprika powder.
Nicole Rose:Paprika is one of the most popular spices.
Nicole Rose:It combines chili peppers, bell peppers, and other dried peppers.
Nicole Rose:It increases heat in the body and helps digestion and metabolism.
Nicole Rose:The paprika powder can be sprinkled on wounds in the same way.
Nicole Rose:Detailed in the paragraph about cayenne Pepper is very antibacterial, and if you have a tooth or gum infection, you can swirl your mouth with.
Nicole Rose:Paprika mixed with water.
Nicole Rose:It can help ease arthritis and joint pain.
Nicole Rose:Ointments and creams are often made for these conditions.
Nicole Rose:Black pepper.
Nicole Rose:I remember a lovely woman I was in prison with called Helen, who used to drink pepper tea and swear by it.
Nicole Rose:It always reminds me of her.
Nicole Rose:Now, the good thing about Black Pepper is that it's generally available on the wing.
Nicole Rose:Black pepper helps digestion by stimulating the digestive juices, which makes it, which makes it easier to eat.
Nicole Rose:You can add it to warm water to help heat you up to fight colds and infections.
Nicole Rose:It is especially good for clearing damp, mucusy, coughs.
Nicole Rose:Salt.
Nicole Rose:Herbalist's Julie and Matthew Seal say that natural sea salt comprises 95% sodium chloride and 4% potassium chloride.
Nicole Rose:It also contains more than 50 other minerals and trace elements.
Nicole Rose:Interestingly, it has roughly the same balance of minerals as found in the human blood.
Nicole Rose:Unfortunately, a lot of highly processed prison food is completely loaded with salt and can have the opposite health effect.
Nicole Rose:Contributing to high blood pressure.
Nicole Rose:You can dissolve salt in water and use it to wash cuts, abrasions, and minor wounds.
Nicole Rose:A salt solution can also be used as an eyewash mouthwash and goggle.
Nicole Rose:For a gargle or wash, use two teaspoons of salt, whereas for an eye bath, Only use half a teaspoon.
Nicole Rose:Salt is a good gargle for sore throats and tonsillitis every hour add a teaspoon to hot water gargle and spit it out.
Nicole Rose:, and I just wanna say like salt water is one of the things we really give out in Calais for people with like sinusitis and sore throats and things as well as a good mouthwash.
Nicole Rose:, I think it's really, really underestimated medicinally and is yeah, a huge resource.
Nicole Rose:Okay.
Nicole Rose:, Tandori masala.
Nicole Rose:Tandori masala is a spice blend that combines cumin, coriander, cloves, cinnamon, ginger, garlic, chili, turmeric, mace, and salt.
Nicole Rose:It generally contains more chili and therefore more heat than Garam masala.
Nicole Rose:However, you can use it in similar ways.
Nicole Rose:Medicinally, if it is all you have access to.
Nicole Rose:Thyme.
Nicole Rose:Thyme is such an amazing medicinal herb.
Nicole Rose:If you're able to access Thyme from the canteen, then it'll help you out a lot with all kinds of complaints.
Nicole Rose:The tea is an effective remedy for sore throats due to its powerful antibacterial nature.
Nicole Rose:Its anti-spasmodic action can help with hacking coughs and acute bronchitis, as well as digestive complaints like cramps or bloating.
Nicole Rose:In Germany herbal medicine is highly researched and regulated.
Nicole Rose:They have approved Thyme or in the treatment of bronchitis, weeping, cough, and upper respiratory inflammation.
Nicole Rose:Thyme can also help wounds and is antiseptic.
Nicole Rose:Research has also shown a positive effect on mood.
Nicole Rose:One of the compounds, increased levels of dopamine and serotonin.
Nicole Rose:Adding dried herbs to prison food will definitely help with digestion.
Nicole Rose:And if you come down with any kind of sore throat or cough, make sure to drink Thyme tea, just as I know on that.
Nicole Rose:I think Thyme can also be quite drying.
Nicole Rose:, so generally I would drink it if I have like a very damp cough.
Nicole Rose:, okay.
Nicole Rose:Turmeric powder.
Nicole Rose:Turmeric has been used in traditional Chinese and Indian medicine for thousands of years.
Nicole Rose:It has some well-researched anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, making it useful for all kinds of diseases and conditions.
Nicole Rose:It can really help people with pain and swelling from arthritis.
Nicole Rose:The common way turmeric is taken is by adding it to milk, often with other spices at the same Thyme, such as cinnamon and cumin.
Nicole Rose:You can also add turmeric to yoga as a DIY face mask.
Nicole Rose:Turmeric can help with swellings and skin inflammation by applying it to the area as a poulis, combined turmeric and some black pepper with some kind of oil or flour water cover with a cloth and make a makeshift bandage.
Nicole Rose:You can leave this on as long for, as long as a couple of hours.
Nicole Rose:It will have a yellow stain that is temporary, so don't use it right before a visit.
Nicole Rose:, of course, we can't forget that this spice is amazing in cooking.
Nicole Rose:Added not just to rice, , to curries or rice, but also to soups and stews or whatever you can get your hands on in prison.
Nicole Rose:Vinegar.
Nicole Rose:Vinegar can be sprayed in the shoes if you're suffering from a fungal foot infection, as well as be added to the bath to help with fungal skin diseases or vaginitis.
Nicole Rose:It can also be put on wasp stings and sunburn viral compress.
Nicole Rose:You can also add a bit of vinegar to warm water for a her rinse.
Nicole Rose:That helps with dandruff too.
Nicole Rose:All right.
Nicole Rose:, I've hope you've enjoyed that little section on spices and condiments.
Nicole Rose:I think like, It's just worth emphasizing like that.
Nicole Rose:It's all about being creative and what you can get your hands on and you know, like if you're in a bloody airport lounge somewhere and you feel like you're getting cold or whatever, then I mean, obviously wearing a mask, but you know, it might be that like black pepper is the only thing you can get, you know, and just like bash a few little, little of those little packets like in a cup of hot water and you know, see if it makes a difference or go and gargle with some salt water.
Nicole Rose:Like, you know, like I think the thing about herbalism is like, it's really important to me that it's accessible and I think for people in prison, like, you know, the access is so limited to what people can get to support themselves, like to have any kind of self care or care for each other.
Nicole Rose:So yeah, it's all about just kind of like being really creative and thankfully prisoners are really good at that.
Nicole Rose:So, , yeah.
Nicole Rose:The next, , slot of these is gonna be looking at the medicinal properties of different kinds of teas and coffees, as well as fruits and vegetables.
Nicole Rose:, so check that out.
Nicole Rose:Okay, thanks.
Nicole Rose:Thanks so much for listening to the Frontline Herbalism podcast.