Star anise is a small evergreen tree native to China that closely resembles anise in flavor. Its licorice-flavored start shaped fruit is also grown in Japan and Vietnam. It has a dark brown color and contains six to eight seeded petal-like segments. ...
Also known as devil's dung, stinking gum, food of the gods, and giant fennel, hing has a varied and suprising diversity of uses. Along the Tex-Mex border hing was used for wolf bait. The odor attracts wolves. In Jamaica, hing is used to protect the...
As the most widely cultivated nut tree in the world, almonds (Prunus dulcis) have been revered across ancient cultures for their unique ability to build strength, sharpen intelligence, and nourish the body deeply. Originally native to the Levant region...
Found in Tutankhamun's tomb, black cumin is a famous as an Old World spice and medicine. The 'Tibb-e-Nabavi" or "Medicine of the Prophet (Muhammed)", reports the only disease it cannot cure is death. It's many uses have earned it the nickname "seed of...
Thyme tea has been used to stop gastric fermentation. It may be mixed with honey for sore throats. It's diaphoretic properties make it useful to sweat out a fever.
Rosmarinus, is from the latin "dew" (ros) and "sea" (marinus), and means "dew of the sea". Rosemary grows in arid Mediterranean conditions and, as its name implies, can survive on the humidity carried by the sea breeze.
Aromatic, pungent, astringent & sedating. A soporific digestive spice famous for its use in insomnia and cold type diarrhea. It is popular in spiced desserts such as egg nog. Excessive doses can cause hallucinations.
Oatmeal is warm, soft, and gently nourishing. The expression "Feeling your oats" testifies to the use of oats as a tonic for increased vigor. Oatmeal provides steady, long-lasting energy without overstimulating the system, making oatmeal a perfect...
Romance may be sealed with a box of chocolates, but passion for chocolate is as eternal as true love. Long before John Cadbury invented the chocolate bar, native meso-american peoples brewed chocolate with medicinal herbs. Chocolate has been used as...
Cloves are native to India and Indonesia. They are the aromatic dried flower bud of a tree in the same family as Eucalyptus and Guava (Myrtaceae family). Cloves resemble a nail in shape. The English name 'clove' derives from the latin 'clavus'...
The zest is the orange skin of the orange. The rind is the white part of the orange beneath.
Highly aromatic & spicy, Allspice is an ideal appetizer that refreshes the mouth. It is a delicious addition to meats and desserts, where it doubles as a digestive aid. It's taste and astringency closely resembles cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and it...
Goji berry is called wolfberry in Chinese medicine because it is a member of the nightshade family.
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Founder of Joyful Belly Ayurveda, John Immel, answers the question ‘What is Ayurveda?’
