Gastroenterologist shares top 10 spices and herbs that your gut loves: From haldi to cinnamon and ajwain

Updated on: Jul 29, 2025, 10:22:49 IST

By Krishna Pallavi Priya

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Turmeric is one of the most common spices found in Indian kitchens, making it a great option for the times when you want to strengthen your gut health. (Adobe Stock)

Maintaining gut health is crucial, and kitchen ingredients can provide necessary benefits. Gastroenterologist shares top 10 spices and herbs for your gut.

A healthy gut is an indicator of overall wellbeing. In the past few years, taking care of the gut has become equally important as taking care of physical and mental health. However, often people resort to taking medicines or supplements for benefits, without knowing that their kitchen has all the ingredients they need to take care of their gut.

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Dr Saurabh Sethi, MD, MPH, board-certified gastroenterologist, hepatologist, and interventional endoscopist trained at AIIMS, Harvard and Stanford, often shares tips on how simple kitchen ingredients can benefit our gastrointestinal system. In a post shared on July 28, the gastroenterologist listed 10 spices and herbs that our gut loves.

Top 10 spices and herbs for your gut health

Sharing the top 10 spices, Dr Sethi wrote, “Top 10 herbs and spices that your gut loves.” Let's find out what they are:

Turmeric
Ginger
Fennel
Cumin
Coriander

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A post shared by Saurabh Sethi (@doctor.sethi)

Ajwain (Carrom seeds)
Black pepper
Cardomom
Cinnamon
Fenugreek

Turmeric for gut health

Turmeric is one of the most common spices found in Indian kitchens, and is added to almost every dish, making it a great option for the times when you want to strengthen your gastrointestinal health. According to the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, turmeric has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate metabolic syndrome and other inflammatory conditions.

One of the active ingredients in turmeric is curcumin. Per the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an August 2020 review found that curcumin not only modifies the composition of the microbiota but might also enhance the function of the intestinal barrier. It contributes to the maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity, and thus may represent a new tool in preventive/therapeutic strategies against intestinal pathologies.

Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Krishna Pallavi Priya
Krishna Priya Pallavi is a journalist with over 9 years of experience, covering health, fashion, pop culture, travel, wellness, entertainment, festivals, mental health, art, decor, fitness, and sex and relationships. She is an alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Dhenkanal, and holds an undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. Her strong academic foundation informs her analytical and detail-oriented approach to storytelling, helping her uncover stories where none seem to exist. Before joining Hindustan Times, Pallavi worked with some of India’s leading media organisations. She spent close to three years at India Today, where she honed her newsroom skills and developed a sharp editorial sensibility. She also worked for over a year and a half at Vagabomb, ScoopWhoop’s feminist digital platform, where she explored stories through a gender-sensitive, socially aware lens. Pallavi has a deep interest in global fashion trends and international fashion seasons, and enjoys interviewing celebrities and tracking pop culture movements—interests that frequently translate into engaging, reader-friendly stories. Alongside lifestyle and entertainment, she has a keen eye for impactful health and wellness journalism, regularly interacting with doctors, designers, and digital content creators to bring nuance and credibility to her work. Born and raised in Haryana, Pallavi remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots in Odisha. Her ability to spot fresh angles brings curiosity and depth to stories she pursues. When not chasing deadlines, she enjoys spending time with her dog, planning her next vacation, reading, running new trails, and discovering new destinations.Read More

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