most spices, if used correctly, can be good for you. The most common use
of spices is to stimulate digestion, and help one digest the cold, wet,
rough (coarse) raw foods that we eat so much of.

How to use them correctly? If one follows Ayurveda, then you start by
determining your body type. Then, by examining the properties of each
spice (or food), one can determine which ones are appropriate for
you. (Not all spices are good for everyone.)

For example, vata body type people can eat any spice, with the possible
exception of caraway. Pitta people can eat cooling spoces like coriander,
fennel, and the less heating ones (cumin, dill, cinnamon, ginger in
small amounts). Kapha people can eat any spice, but should avoid salt.

Eating, and using spices, Ayurvedic style, is a process of learning which
foods should be good for you, then learning (via experimentation),
how to eat those foods so that they benefit you.

Regards,
Tom Billings
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