Spices That Keep You Awake at Night
Spices can stimulate your taste buds, but some herbs and spices can also keep you awake at night if you're not careful. That sprig of parley or sprinkling of pepper with your dinner is unlikely to cause any trouble, but herbs and spices used in heavy concentrations -- for medicinal purposes, for example -- can potentially interfere with your sleep. Knowing the potential stimulant properties of common spices and herbal supplements can help you avoid trouble.
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Hot Chilies
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Hot chilies have no stimulant properties in themselves and many people have no trouble eating them right before bed. If you have a sensitive digestive system, however, you might want to think twice: too many chilies can trigger heartburn and indigestion, which can put a real damper on your sleep.
Ginseng
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Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a root traditionally used as a seasoning in Asia and as an herbal medicine in Asia and elsewhere.It is used to increase mental alertness and energy levels. However, it has been associated with sleep disorders and some users feel it has the additional effect of amplifying the effects of any other stimulants taken. Be aware that Asian ginseng is biologically and chemically distinct from American ginseng, which has different medicinal properties.
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Angelica
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Angelica is a sweet, musky root often candied and used to flavor confections. It is also used in traditional herbal medicine to treat indigestion. Angelica, however, has stimulant properties and can interfere with sleep if taken close to bedtime.
Ginger
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Ginger, like chilies, is valued for its hot, palate-awakening flavor. Perhaps because of its lively flavor, it was traditionally held to be a natural stimulant. Proponents of herbal medicine often recommend chewing on a piece of fresh or candied ginger in the middle of the day to counteract mid-day drowsiness. However, fans of gingery after-dinner sweets need not worry -- recent research has shown no clinical evidence that ginger has any chemically stimulating qualities.
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References
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