Cinnamon… A common, sweet, warm spice, cinnamon  is the bark of several species of trees of the genus Cinnamomum. Origin and History Wild and native to India and southeast Asia, cinnamon’s long history places it in ancient Egypt; it was a common gift to the Roman Gods; and it is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Cinnamon…

A member of the ginger family, cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is an ancient, beautifully fragrant, unique spice that once you discover, you’ll be hooked! Origin and History Wild and native to India and Sri Lanka, cardamom has been used since ancient Egyptian times, as well as Ayurvedically in India and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. You will find…

A little, yellow-centered, daisy-like flower, Chamomile is well known as a calming, relaxing tea, but wow, does it have many uses! Origin and History There are 2 varieties of chamomile, (botanically unrelated): Marticaria chamomilla (German), and Anthemis nobilis (Roman or English). Their healing properties are very similar, but German chamomile is the variety most often…

A perennial herb native to China and India, ginger root (Zingiber officinale) has been used for centuries in cooking and for its medicinal properties. Although the leaves of the plant can be eaten as in a salad, the root (rhizome) is where the greatest benefits lie. The active ingredients in ginger have digestive, circulatory, antiseptic,…