Herbs & Spices

Herbs

Tend to be aromatic leaves or seeds of plants from temperate regions

used in cooking

Spices

other aromatic plant organs (stems, fruits, seeds, roots, bark) of tropical origin

Used in cooking, and for perfumery, dyeing, medicine, & food

Essential oils

secondary compounds and volatile substances that contribute to the essence, flavor, and aroma

often used instead of whole plant parts

Mostly terpenes (C₅H₈) and used by plants possibly as a protection against herbivores & bacterial and fungal pathogens

Onions, garlic, oregano, and allspice

Spices/herbs that are the most effective for killing/inhibiting food-borne bacteria

Old world

origin of these spices:

cinnamon, black pepper, cloves, nutmeg and mace, ginger and turmeric, and saffron

New world

origin of these spices

Chilli peppers, vanilla, and allspice

Cinnamon

Cinnamomum zeylanicum: inner bark of a tree native to India & Sri Lanka

closely related Cinnamomum cassia is traed in the US

used as flavor in baked goods, but also in medicine, perfumes, & scents

mild anticoagulant that stimulates insulin activity

Black pepper (piper nigrum)

fermented & dried berries of pepper vine

it’s sold as peppercorns or ground

native to India & the East Indies

White pepper

also comes from the dried berries of pepper vine but allowed to open on the vine & the black outer portion removed

mild and not as pungent

Cloves

(Eugenia caryophyllus) dried unopened flower buds of a small evergreen tree from the spice islands

used in desserts, beverages, meats, sauces, medicines, disinfectants, mouth wash, toothpaste, soaps and perfumes

even mixed with tobacco

Nutmeg

Obtained from the tree Myristica fragans which is native to the spice islands

the fruit of this tree is a drupe and the seed inside the pit is this spice which is used for baking sweets

this spice can be hallucinogenic if consumed in large amounts

Mace

obtained from the tree Myristica fragans which is native to the spice islands

the fruit of this tree is a drupe

Outside the pit, a covering called aril is removed and dried to make this aromatic spice

this spice can be hallucinogenic if consumed in large amounts

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

fresh or dried rhizome of monocot herb native to tropical asia

has a spicy hot, pungent taste; used in baked goods, vegetables, meats and ale

has medicinal properties such as relieving nausea, morning sickness, & upset stomach

has antioxidant properites & may protect against certain cancers

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

dried rhizome, related to ginger, used in curry poweder, and is used in mustard/yellow dye

has antioxidant properties & may protect against certain cancers

Saffron

comes from the stigmas of Crocus sativas, native to eastern Mediterranean countries, and an ancient yellow spice that is a symbol of beauty

the most expensive spice in the world

has a pungent flavor that gives a delicate taste to French, Spanish, Middle Eastern, and Indian cooking

Chili peppers (capsicum species)

fruits of herbaceous plants from Mexico & South America

come in many varieties, sizes, and pungency levels

Good source of vitamin c

Capsaicin

a hot compound found in seeds & placental areas

used as a painkiller to treat arthritis and headaches

Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)

fermented & dried fruit of an orchid from Mexico

Used a flavoring, perfume, and medicine

Vanillin

crystalline compound that gives vanilla its flavor

Allspice

(pimenta dioca) dried fruits of a Carribean tree

said to taste like a combination of cinnamon, clove, & nutmeg

Mint family

(Mentha species) mostly native to the Mediterranean

Herbaceous plants & small shrubs w/ slimple leaves that have oil glands

used for flavorings & perfumes in many products

Includes basil (Ocimum basilicum), thyme, oregano, marjoram (Origanum majorana), rosemary, & sage

Luteolin

contained in mint

may help prevent some types of cancer

Limonene

a powerful anti-cancer agent that may help block the development of breast tumors & even shrink them

Carnosol

a substance in rosemary that may help protect against breast cancer, lung cancer, & skin cancer

Parsley family

Native to the Mediterranean

leave + dried fruits are used for flavor or as garnish

can be recognized by their umbels (flat topped inflorescences) & alternate compound leaves

Include petroselinum crispum, dill (Anethum graveolens), caraway, cilantro, chervil, coriander, anise, cumin, celery, & fennel

Mustard family

(The brassicaceae) gives us many important vegetable crops such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, turnip, horseradish, and wasabi

Mustard plant

brassica juncea

processed to make a product with a pungent taste that is used as condiments & also medicine which can be white brown or black

good for clearing sinuses

Lily family

(Lilaceae) mostly herbaceous perennials

rhizomes, bulbs, or corms used as zesty herbs

orignate from Central Asia from the genus Allium

includes onions (Allium cheap), garlic (Allium sativum), leeks, shalots, and chives

Garlic

has organic sulfur which inhibits bacteria & fungal growth, inhibits the formation of blood clots, & lowers cholesterol levels

may stimulate cancer-fighting cells and assist with the amelioration of many other health problems

Allicin

a substance contained in garlic that is an effective antibiotic, anti fungal, and antiparsitic

Coriandrol

may help protect against both liver & breast cancer

aromatherapy

a holistic approach to healing using essential oils extracted from plants which allows essential oils to be absorbed through the nose, lungs, or skin, triggering certain physiological responses

it is used an an antiseptic, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory treatment for cuts burns and insect bites