Nutmeg: Jaiphal – Nutmeg is an aphrodisiac, digestive tonic, very useful even with external application in case of headache, useful in cough, cold, asthma and more. Botanical Name – Myristica fragrans Henlt. Family – Myristicaceae Sanskrit Synonyms: Jatiphala, Malatiphala, Malatisuta – A fruit having fragrans (Jati or Malati means Jasmine, symbolic to fragrance). Soumansayani, Majjasaram…
Nutmeg is yet another wonderful spice with benefits that extend beyond its heavenly flavor and aroma. Its medicinal use dates back to the 12th century. Traditionally, many used it to treat gastrointestinal disorders and rheumatic pain (affecting joints and connective tissue). They also used it to treat wounds and infections. As noted in this…
What is Cumin? Cumin is an awesome spice that enlivens all kinds of delicious, savory dishes from soups to mains to roasted nuts. “Cumin” refers to both the whole and ground seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, a member of the parsley family. It has a warm, earthy flavor and has an aroma with a…
Coriander comes from the round, tan-colored seeds of the coriander plant (Coriandrum sativum), a member of the parsley family. The word coriander describes the entire plant: leaves, stems, and seeds. However, when speaking of this spice, most people are referring to the spice produced from the seeds of the plant, and the leaves are commonly…
What is Ginger? Hands down, ginger (Zingiber Officinale) is one of best super-foods on planet Earth. It’s an easily-available, affordable, seriously versatile, health-boosting anti-inflammatory goodie that brightens up everything from soup to nuts, mains to sides, and desserts to smoothies and teas. But ginger’s benefits extend way beyond culinary delicacies. In fact, it is one…
The Health Benefits of Turmeric To the Hindu people of India, the importance of turmeric goes far beyond medicine. Turmeric is sacred! It is auspicious in every sense of the word. Although used medicinally for roughly 4,500 years, it continues to draw attention in modern times, primarily for its innate healing properties. According to…
What is Cardamom? Native to India, Bhutan, Nepal and Indonesia, cardamom (Elettaria Cardamom) is a member of the ginger and turmeric family. Like saffron and vanilla, it is one of the most expensive spices in the world, and worth every penny! In fact, it’s hard to describe the heavenly aroma and flavor of cardamom. It’s…
What is Cinnamon? Cinnamon is probably the most popular spice in the world. Dating back to ancient Egypt, humans have been using it to bring sweet-spicy flavor and delicate, heart-warming aroma to a wide assortment of traditional foods. Yet it is more than a culinary delight. Its medicinal qualities have been widely recognized for ages,…
I got to harvest fresh turmeric root on one of my trips to India.