Mint belongs to the Mentha genus and has dozens of species and cultivars. Hybridization between species occurs naturally. The four most commonly cultivated species are Mentha arvensis (Japanese mint, menthol); Mentha piperita (peppermint); Mentha spicata (spearmint);...
Ginger, the underground rhizome of Zingiber officinale, is a spice that is popular throughout the world. It is an important medicinal plant in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The scientific evidence for the anticancer properties of this herb is summarized as under: The...
Every region has its set of sacred plants. Ancient societies lived in harmony with nature. Plants were a source of food, medicine, and shelter. Religious and other texts contain references to ecology, trees, and animals, as the worship of gods was associated with...
Star anise is one of the ingredients in the Chinese five-spice powder. It is the dried star-shaped fruit pods of the mid-sized evergreen Illicium verum tree. The tree belongs to the Schisandraceae family. Star anise differs from anise (Pimpinella anisum) from the...
Cinnamomum zeylanicum Photo: Sudhir Ahluwalia Traditionally, cinnamon consumption is good for health. These spices treat a range of common gastrointestinal ailments like flatulence, dyspepsia, stomachache, nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and loss of appetite. The species is...
