Turmeric

Haridra · Curcuma longa

A golden root used in small amounts in Rasa Paws recipes, always cooked into a little fat. Curcumin, its main pigment, is studied for its role in the body's inflammation signalling; the canine studies so far are small.

Curcumin dissolves in fat, not water. Black pepper's piperine helps the body take it up (one small human trial; no dog data)

Ginger

Shunti · Zingiber officinale

A warming root, used in small cooked amounts. Ask your veterinarian before giving ginger to a dog that is unwell or on medication. A swollen belly, or retching that brings nothing up, can be bloat: an emergency for the vet, never the kitchen.

Gingerols give fresh ginger its bite; drying and cooking turn them into shogaols, which taste sharper

Coconut

Nariyal · Cocos nucifera

Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain fats, which the body handles differently from most other fats. It is calorie-dense, so the recipes use a little, and you should ask your veterinarian first for a dog with a history of pancreatitis.

Medium-chain fats travel from the gut to the liver through the portal vein, instead of through the lymph like longer fats

Coriander

Dhania · Coriandrum sativum

Fresh leaves and ground seed add a mild, green, citrus aroma. Safe for dogs in small cooked amounts, and used that way in Rasa Paws recipes.

Linalool is the main aroma compound in coriander seed: the floral, citrus note you smell when you crush it

Cumin

Jeera · Cuminum cyminum

Used only as a trace aromatic base in Rasa Paws recipes. More than a pinch can upset a dog's stomach, so the recipes keep it small.

Cuminaldehyde is the compound behind cumin's warm, earthy smell; dry-roasting deepens it

Fenugreek

Methi · Trigonella foenum-graecum

The seeds are used in tiny, cooked amounts. Fenugreek is studied for how it affects blood sugar, so ask your veterinarian before feeding it to a dog with diabetes or on medication.

Fenugreek seeds are rich in galactomannan, a soluble fibre that turns thick and gel-like in water

Cardamom

Elaichi · Elettaria cardamomum

A pinch adds a cool, floral warmth to sweet dog treats. Rasa Paws recipes use it in small amounts only.

1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate give cardamom its cool, floral scent

Ragi

Finger Millet · Eleusine coracana

Finger millet: a South Indian whole grain that is naturally gluten-free and unusually rich in calcium for a grain. Cooked into a soft porridge, it makes a simple base grain.

Ragi's dark seed coat carries polyphenols, plant compounds studied for their antioxidant activity