A Well-Seasoned Mind

Saffron

Got a case of the blues? Before popping an anti-depressant, try eating more of this pungent herb. A 2007 University of Tehran study discovered that a twice-daily dose of saffron works as well as Prozac in treating mild to moderate depression.

Healthy way to dish it up:
Add 1/2 teaspoon saffron to the water while cooking 2 cups rice.

Next: Stave off migraines. >>>

Ginger

A recent study found that more than 80 percent of migraine-prone patients with mild headaches who were treated with a combination of ginger and the herb feverfew staved off migraines. After two hours, 48 percent were pain free; for another 34 percent, the pain stayed mild. "If a headache doesn't go to full-blown migraine, that's success," says Roger Cady, M.D., study author and director of the Headache Care Center in Springfield, Missouri.

Healthy way to dish it up:
Stir 3 teaspoons grated ginger into 1 cup boiling water; steep for 10 minutes, strain, and drink.

Next: Fight cancer with cloves. >>>

Garlic

Long touted for its heart-healthy benefits, garlic may also fight brain cancer. A 2007 study in the journal Cancer noted that garlic compounds eliminated brain-cancer cells, leading some experts to predict that garlic-based treatments for brain cancer aren't far behind.

Healthy way to dish it up:
Mix 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder or 1 to 2 cloves fresh garlic with tomatoes and basil for a cancer-fighting marinara.

Next: Increase your concentration. >>>

Cinnamon

If you want to react faster during your next tennis game, chew cinnamon gum. Doing so, a recent study found, speeds the rate at which your brain processes visual cues. One reason the gum may help: cinnamon regulates blood-sugar levels, and this helps you stay focused.

Healthy way to dish it up:
Sprinkle 1 teaspoon cinnamon on oatmeal for a brain-healthy breakfast.

Next: Check out these brain-healthy recipes. >>>

These 10 recipes include brain-boosting spices that can improve memory, fend off migraines and help you stay focused.

• Cinnamon Apple or Pear Smoothie

        A blended drink for fall or winter

• Mexican Rice Pudding
  

        A creamy dessert with simple flavors

• Halibut Steamed With Fresh Ginger
  

        Fresh ingredients make this dish delicious

• Roast Squash With Ginger

        Spicy vegetables make a punchy side dish

• Sugar Snap Peas With Garlic

        A new take on this summer veggie

• Spicy Garlic Potatoes and Zucchini

        An inexpensive side dish with lots of flavor

• Grilled Swordfish with Saffron Cherry Tomatoes

        A light but robust main course

• Penne with Roasted Peppers, Saffron, and Basil Cream

        A colorful pasta with rich, smoky flavors

• Vegetable Curry

        An ideal winter meal

• Black Pepper Crab

        An easy-to-make, rustic dish