Since this is the time of the year when, even those who try to avoid the kitchen as much as possible still end up preparing at least one homemade dish, I thought it would be cool to inspire you to pick up some extra spices to add to your collection (especially if your spice rack is pretty minimal).
No, not so you’ll find yourself making ginger loaf cake or Christmas cookies for what will feel like the rest of your life — more like so that, after the holiday hype has subsided a bit, you can create some unique ways to use those same cooking spices as beauty treatments for your skin and hair.
Below, I’ve got 12 spices for you that can totally make that happen. So, if all-natural is always what you prefer as far as your beauty regimen goes, I’ve got some proven ways to apply spices that just might surprise you.
1. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is a spice that comes with all sorts of health benefits. Thanks to its potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s able to do everything from strengthening your immunity and fighting against infections to helping control your blood sugar levels, lowering your blood pressure, and even keeping your oral health where it needs to be.
The reason why it tops my personal list of bomb beauty hacks is that you can use it as a main ingredient in a DIY bronzer (recipe here), put a teaspoon of it into some lukewarm distilled water and instantly have a homemade mouthwash, or you can sprinkle some of it into a carrier oil like coconut or sweet almond and create a lip gloss that comes with a bit of shimmer. Pretty cool, right?
2. Juniper Berries
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Juniper berries grow on a particular kind of evergreen shrub here in America as well as in Asia and Europe. And although you don’t hear about it a ton, a lot of people like to add them to their potato dishes. Health-wise, they’re good for you because the potent plant compounds in them are also great for your immune system. Plus, they’ve been known to naturally treat diabetes, keep your heart strong, and if you’re looking for a natural way to heal a yeast infection, their antifungal properties are pretty solid, too.
On the beauty tip, some use it as a deeply penetrating and detoxing face mask (recipe here), others like it as a face toner (recipe here), and still, some infuse their own oil so that the astringent properties can help to soothe and heal breakouts (recipe here). Bottom line, if you’re looking for a chemical-free way to clear up your complexion, juniper berries are well worth trying out.
3. Arrowroot
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A veggie that is oftentimes processed as flour and used as a spice is arrowroot. It is packed with fiber, protein, and folate (like a totally off-the-charts amount), and it also has some iron, phosphorus, and potassium in it. If you want to boost your immune system or shed a few pounds, the assistance of arrowroot can make that happen.
It’s the way that arrowroot is used as a beauty source is why I like it so much, though. Some people use it in their all-natural bronzer (recipe here). Others use it as the base for a deodorant paste (recipe here). Some like it as a setting powder (video here). And in extract form, it can be a great spot treatment for pimples. Oh, and if you’d prefer an alternative to skin powder (like if you’ve got big breasts like I do and you want to keep moisture at bay), arrowroot is a wonderful alternative. Yeah, out of all of the spices mentioned, definitely prioritize having this one on tap.
4. Ginger
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I think it’s probably common knowledge at this point that if you’re looking for a spice that makes nausea (which is something that is the absolute worst) easier to deal with, ginger has that covered. However, did you also know that it can bring relief to sore muscles after a workout, lessen the discomfort of menstrual cramps, relieve indigestion, lower your cholesterol levels, help with indigestion, and even improve your brain function?
And what can ginger do for you, beauty-wise? Some folks use it to lighten acne marks, while others find it to be an effective way to treat hair loss or to bring moisture back to their locks. Also, if you add fresh ginger to some coconut oil, its antiseptic properties can treat dandruff or an itchy scalp (you can read more about all of this here).
5. Bay Leaves
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Bay leaves are pretty popular when it comes to making stews and stuffings. Since they’ve got anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties, as well as vitamins C and E in them, they’re good to use when it comes to all kinds of things from aiding in digestion and strengthening your immune system to potentially preventing kidney stones and improving your memory.
And just why did it make the cut as far as all-natural beauty hacks go? I peeped an article (and recipe here) about it being a pretty good anti-aging ingredient in a face cream. Also, if you brew the leaves, the solution (once it cools, of course) can help to heal acne.
6. Tarragon
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Tarragon is a green herb that’s a great complement to dishes you want to add a hint of citrus to. As far as your health goes, the properties in it help to reduce inflammation, fight off fungal infections, help relieve depression-related symptoms, and even slow down the rate of cancer cells.
Something that tarragon is also known for is being able to significantly speed up the healing process of skin when it comes to issues like dermatitis or surface wounds. There’s also been research around the fact that it can help to improve your quality of sleep. And since sleep deprivation can lead to dark eye circles, fine lines, and even droops at the corner of your mouth — yeah, tarragon deserved to get on this list too, chile.
7. White Pepper
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Something that I personally enjoy cooking with is white pepper. It’s a fave of mine because it provides a “peppery” taste without being as strong as black pepper. If you’re curious about its health benefits, white pepper promotes digestion, lowers your blood pressure, and has quite a few antioxidants in it. Some research says that it can also help to tame a stubborn cough, reduce the pain of a headache, or clear up congestion in your nose as well.
Consider adding it to your beauty regimen if you want to remove unwanted hair (I know, right?), get rid of dandruff, and/or soften the appearance of wrinkles. If you want to read more about all or any of this, StyleCraze has your back right here.
8. Vanilla
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The active ingredient in pure vanilla extract is a plant compound known as vanillin. It’s got antioxidants in it. Not only that, it’s also loaded with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Something else that it’s known for is being “neuroprotective;” this means that it helps to protect your brain. So, if you’re looking for a spice that will boost your brain function, lower your blood sugar, relieve anxiety, improve your mood, or, in some cases, even lower your fever — look no further than this sweet lil’ treat.
Since vanilla also has anti-aging properties, you can also use it as an ingredient in a DIY face mask. Or, if you want softer and/or longer hair, you can add it to a carrier oil and create a pampering hair treatment for your tresses, too. You can read more about how to do both of these here.
9. Paprika
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If y’all don’t already know about influencer Christiana’s TikTok page, you betta ask somebody! Lawd, she’s stunning, and I personally think that she represents femininity in such an excellent way. Anyway, whenever I share some of her videos with some of my male friends, it’s hilarious that one of the things they salivate over is her spice collection. In fact, one of my favorite people says that no one is a real cook without one — and paprika is one of the first spices that he looks for.
Anyway, paprika is a healthy spice because it’s a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamin E. It’s got some health benefits, including the fact that it helps to boost your eye health, lower your cholesterol levels, keep your blood healthy, and reduce inflammation. Some health experts also say that paprika can protect your skin from damaging UV rays and help to reduce pain levels as well.
Along with the vitamin E, paprika also contains a good amount of antioxidants. That’s why some combine it with honey in order to give themselves a glowing complexion. I’ve even read that if you want to add a hint of red to your hair without actually applying a brand-name dye, paprika can get the job done (recipe here). The more you know.
10. Horseradish
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Technically, horseradish is considered to be a cruciferous vegetable; however, due to its pretty strong and distinctive flavor, it’s often used as a spice. Since it contains antibacterial properties, horseradish has been hailed as something that can help fight cancer, clear up sinuses, and even help heal chronic nail infections.
And just what can it do for your beauty-wise? A blog that I think is pretty solid is One Good Thing. Jillee shouts it out as a way to soften the appearance of age spots (recipe here). Also, since horseradish is so spicy, Food even published an article (and recipe here) about how applying some of it to your hair (in the form of a mask) can help to increase blood circulation to your scalp, which can ultimately lead to hair growth.
11. Nutmeg
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Looking for a spice that can help to reduce oxidative stress? Nutmeg is able to do that; plus, it can help to fight gum disease, put you in a better mood, help to intensify your libido, and if you add it to some milk (or your favorite milk alternative), it can support you get a good night’s rest too.
Since nutmeg is strong in the anti-inflammatory properties department, many like it when it comes to reducing hyperpigmentation and sebum production (recipe here). It’s also a gentle yet effective skin exfoliant (recipe here). And some nutritionists even believe that its antimicrobial properties can help to cleanse your scalp, reduce dandruff, and increase hair growth over time.
12. Celery Seeds
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It’s kinda wild, just how many nutrients are in tiny little celery seeds. Beta-carotene? It has that. Vitamin C? It has that. Manganese (which helps your body to create bone tissue and strengthen your sex hormones)? It’s got that too. And all of this, along with other things, celery seeds help your system as far as lowering your blood pressure, improving your libido, and even increasing fertility.
If you’re looking for a deep skin cleanser that won’t strip away your natural oils, celery seed in the form of an essential oil can help to hook you up. Also, if you put “celery seed extract” into your TikTok search field, you’ll see that lots of people use it to keep their nail cuticles in good condition.
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See…I told you that spices can have a multi-purpose. So, the next time you head out to the grocery store, pull this article up on your phone and get a few or all of these (remember, the fresher, the better, by the way)! As you just read, they all are good to your taste buds, great for your health, and wonderful when it comes to your appearance. A big win, all the way around…wouldn’t you say? #samehere
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It is indeed a dilemma that doesn’t get discussed enough. And although the clip that you’re about to watch is of two people (Joan and Toni from the series Girlfriendsfrom back in the day) who were indeed toxic for each other (if ya know, ya know) — I still thought it was relevant to this topic. Why? Because, if you’re not careful, even when it comes to someone who is a good friend to you, if you don’t figure out how to handle their own life’s toxicity, you will still find yourself feeling like Joan does here.
Indeed, when people make poor choices and you are always there to clean up the consequences (or just constantly have a front seat) of them on some level, on a good day, it can drain you — on a bad day, you can feel totally taken advantage of. And then that can bring you to a point and place where you would rather lose the friendship (check out “12 Women Told Me 'The Final Straw' With Their Former Besties”) if the payoff means getting/maintaining some peace.
Y’all, wouldn’t it be great if it didn’t have to get to that point? And that’s just what we’re going to hit on today: what you can — and probably should — do if/when you’ve got a really good friend…who constantly makes really toxic decisions.
Ask Yourself: Is It a Situation or a Pattern?
GiphyWhen a substance is toxic, that means that it contains something that is harmful. When something is harmful, that means it has the ability to cause physical and/or mental damage. And what that means is it has a high potential for leading to outcomes that could prove to be catastrophic, that could cause a significant amount of pain, and/or that could be risky as hell in the sense of showing high signs of being a liability and not an asset. I think it’s important to say all of that because “toxic” is used so much in our culture these days that it needs to be clarified what it actually means, is…and does.
I have a friend who makes really toxic decisions when it comes to her romantic relationships. Have mercy, when it comes to her choices in men, I can’t name one, since I’ve known her, who has treated her right or well. Listen, if it were just one guy, that would be one thing because, if a lot of us were honest with ourselves, we’ve entertained and/or dated and/or slept with and/or been in a relationship with someone who checks all of the boxes that define what toxicity is all about.
However, if it is multiple guys? That speaks to there being a pattern, which, in this case, is defined as being “a combination of qualities, acts, tendencies, etc., forming a consistent or characteristic arrangement” — which means that the pattern isn’t just revealed in the relationship but with some things that are going on within the person who keeps choosing unhealthy relationships too.
In other words, if someone keeps getting into a toxic dynamic, chances are, there is some toxicity going on within themselves or they would never even select those types of individuals in the first place. And if that is indeed the case, they need to do some self-reflecting, they probably need to get some counseling and they need to be willing to be held accountable. AND ALL OF THOSE CHOICES ARE ENTIRELY UP TO THEM. NOT YOU.
And here’s the thing: If they do decide to remain in the pattern and you choose to coddle them through it instead of recommending the steps that I just shared, you will also find yourself in a pattern of enabling unhealthy behavior. See, social media will be out here saying that a good friend supports their friends no matter what. THAT IS A LIE. A good friend loves their friend no matter what…and sometimes loving them means making them aware of the hamster wheel they are in that they may be in denial about or trying to deflect away from.
So yes, the first step that must be taken on your part, is assessing if what is transpiring (whatever “it” may be) is a current situation or a long-term pattern. They are quite different.
Don’t Emotionally Invest Like It’s YOUR Problem
GiphyIt is actually actor Phylicia Rashad who is given the credit for saying, “You have to learn to care about people without taking on all of their problems.” Hmph. That reminds me of something that I once heard an artist by the name of Joey Kibble once say in a sermon: “Be careful about who you decide to ‘stand in the gap’ for because, what you’re essentially saying is, you’re willing to catch some of their warfare before they even do.” #whewchile
When you deeply care about someone, it’s natural (and understandable) to want to help buffer some of their pain as much as possible. Problem with that is, oftentimes, you can find yourself more invested in getting them out of their mess than they even are. The other issue with that? Sometimes people need to go through a certain level of discomfort because they will not learn what they need to any other way (because they are choosing to learn the hard way but that’s another matter for another time).
Not to mention the fact that taking on their stuff like it’s your own will start to drain the time, effort, and energy that you need in order to live your own life. Y’all, take it from me, there is nothing like looking up and realizing that you are trying to handle someone else’s problems as if they are your own when they aren’t nearly as interested or invested…because they don’t see what they are doing as problematic as you do (at least not…yet).
At the end of the day, when it comes to friends who make unhealthy decisions, all you can do is advise them — and even then, use discretion with that because if they don’t want to hear it, all you’re doing is “casting pearls before swine” (so to speak — Matthew 7:6), which can also be triggering, because you’ll be thinking that you’re imparting wisdom and solutions when they would rather just roll around in their counterproductivity…all the while keeping you in their cul-de-sac of nonsense.
Remember: They Are Your FRIEND not Your CHILD
GiphyI promise you that you will never be more free than the day that you learn the difference between who you are responsible FOR vs. who you are responsible TO and, as women, we are responsible for ourselves and our underage children; everyone else, we are responsible to. This means that no, we should never be taking on a friend as if they were our children. We can support, we can encourage, we can listen, we can offer help (when they ask for it; sometimes people are fine in their mess in the sense that they never asked us to help them out of it to begin with) yet we’re not supposed to extend ourselves to the point where we would if it was our young child who was making unwise decisions.
Listen, between being raised by a controlling mother and having a strong personality myself, it took me a lot of my 30s and beginning of my 40s to realize that even if some of my friends make what appear to be immature choices, they are still an adult and to not give them the full space to do whatever they wish with their life is not only controlling, it’s not honoring them as an adult and an individual — and that comes with its own form of disrespect and control.
Friends are not children. Children need our protection. Friends need us to remind them to protect themselves. Again, BIG DIFFERENCE.
Hold Them Accountable to the Boundaries That You Set
GiphyYou can’t want to do more for someone’s situation than they are willing to do for themselves. Coming to that conclusion is the first boundary that you need to set for yourself. The second? Triggering your own self by continually asking about the situation/issue/pattern/lifestyle, when you pretty much know that you’re only going to get the same answer(s).
Listen, if someone is willing to hurt their own selves with the choices that they make, why would you expect them to be more hypersensitive about sparing you from the fallout of it all? If they were good with boundaries, there would be no toxicity to talk about in the first place. So yes, making sure that you are not collateral damage, by asking them to throw their “emotional throw-up,” on you? That needs to be a supreme priority.
A good example of this? My father will be gone for 10 years next month. Due to a lot of trauma from his childhood and young adult life, that turned him into an on-again-off-again substance abuser. And although I always felt extremely loved by him and, for the most part, we had a pretty solid relationship, I could always tell when he was drunk or high because 1) the time of day that he would call; 2) the way that he would talk about certain people, and 3) how he would make up excuses to try and get some money out of me.
Over time, I learned to have boundary-setting conversations with him (when he was sober) about the fact that I would not be taking his calls when he was like that because they ultimately didn’t benefit either one of us.
And along this same fashion, with people in my life who stay in toxic situations — and are aware of that very fact — I’ve had to set limits too. For my own sanity’s sake, I can’t be the one who you call when (for example) keep misspending money, expecting me to feel so bad for you that I give you some; especially if it’s going to jeopardize my own budget. If you just want someone to listen, I can do that — up to a point. If you need help putting a plan together, I will make time for that as well.
Oh, but if you want me to enable you through the foolishness, you’ve got to call someone else — for my sake and, ultimately, our friendship’s sake too.
If They’re Abusing Themselves, Refuse to Be Complicit
GiphyLawd, few sayings irk me more than the oh-so-very-popular, “If you like it, I love it.” SMDH. Although I get that what that basically means is, “Do you, sis. Do you,” words have power, and no, you shouldn’t even verbally, in jest, cosign on nonsense. That said, the friend who I mentioned earlier, the guy who she is involved with now, he’s a blast from the past and, in many ways, is probably the worst one to date. I say that because he has been horrendously gaslight-y, he is the king of playing the victim and he has said and done some things in his hyper-emotional state that are totally unjustifiable.
Meanwhile, my friend makes excuses for why she still stands by and supports him. Can I control that? No. Should I support it? Also no.
To support toxicity means that you are being complicit because complicit means “choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable act, especially with others.” How can I love you and CHOOSE to cosign on unhealthy behavior? Listen, I can respect — no, accept — the fact that you have every right in the world to do whatever you want to do; HOWEVER, I am not going to make you think that I’m cool with it by involving myself in your questionable behavior.
For now, my friend knows that I think she is in a dead-end situation, that he is only going to make matters worse over time, and that I will not allow him to treat me, on any level, the way he treats her should they become more serious. She knows this because I have told her. As a friend to myself, that is how I need to care for and protect myself. As a friend to her, we don’t really discuss him anymore unless something major, one way or another, happens. That removes the stress, pressure, and the need to walk on eggshells because she cares about someone who I don’t care for at all.
A lot of people end up emotionally spent because they think that in order to be a good friend to someone, being complicit comes with the territory. ABSOLUTELY NOT. And that brings me to my final point for today.
BONUS: Sometimes You Absolutely SHOULD “Judge” Them
Giphy“Listen but don’t judge.” Whew, social media can really get on my last nerve sometimes, and that posting trend is a great example of what I mean because some of the straight-up craziness that I have heard come out of some folks’ mouths right after they say “We listen but don’t judge”? Diabolical doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Besides, one thing that judgment means is to use discernment. Scripture says to judge with righteous judgment (John 4:24). And while we’re on the topic of Scripture, people really need to stop manipulating the Word when it says “judge not” because, if you read that passage all the way through, it’s saying to judge in the way that you would want to be judged (for instance, if you want to receive mercy and grace…give it) AND that you should have “the room in your house” that you are calling out in someone else’s life clean before you go pointing out someone else’s dirt so that you can discern clearly (Matthew 7:1-5).
That being said, if you think that God isn’t about accountability…you should definitely read the Good Book more thoroughly and more often. A part of what comes with being spiritually mature is being personally accountable.
And that is a part of the reason why we have relationships at all; it’s so that, as the very friend that I have mentioned here has said to me, we can see each other’s blind spots. Y’all, even if we don’t want to admit it, our fears, our ego, our programming, our stubbornness, and sometimes our complete lack of self-awareness can have us out here doing and justifying all kinds of stuff that individuals with a fresh set of eyes (and insight) will see a completely different way. And, thanks to that JUDGMENT on their part, if we humble ourselves enough to say, “They love me enough to even care. I should at least ponder where they are coming from” — that can spare us. I am a witness.
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Humans can be complicated — and that is because they have so many layers to them. If you’ve got a friend who is good to you, who is not very good to themselves, I hope this helped you find some balance in how to navigate how sometimes polarizing that can be.
Bottom line, be their friend. Also, be a friend to yourself. Don’t compromise the latter for the former.
To do so? Pardon the pun but…that is just…TOXIC (refer to the definition up top again).
A PATTERN OF TOXICITY…if you’re not careful.
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