Chumley Stella's Spice 'N Easy Spice Information Spice Encyclopedia Medicinal Spices Spice Dictionary

Caraway Seed (Carum carvi)
A parsley family member, this seed is covered by a hard shell with five pale
ridges. Commonly found on rye bread and in sausage, it has a strong aroma and
tangy sweet flavor. The use of caraway in Europe is documented as far back as
the 17th century. The Ancient Egyptians buried their dead with caraway to ward
off evil spirits. It was also used as a food and a medicine in Ancient Greece and
Rome. A Greek physician, Dioscorides prescribed oil of caraway to young ladies to
rub into their skin and restore a healthy glow.
Curative Qualities: A Greek physician, Dioscorides prescribed oil of caraway to
young ladies to rub into their skin and restore a healthy glow. The primary
medical benefit of caraway is its effect on digestion. It is a carminative which
means it helps with gas and digestion. It is helpful to chew caraway seeds after
a heavy meal. It has been used for colic as it is a light sedative and it can be
used to settle a queasy stomach (antispasmodic).
Aroma: Warm and quite pungent when broken and the aromatic oils are released.
Character: Slightly bitter with strong aroma.
Heat Level: 2

Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
A small dried fruit that is filled with seeds from a plant of the ginger family.
Cardamom was grown in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Cardamom has an
entrancing and romantic scent. Cleopatra was said to have perfumed her room
with it for Mark Anthony. The Egyptians chewed it as a tooth cleanser and
writings on papyrus from 1550 B.C. Described how it was used as a medicine. In
India it is chewed as a breath freshener and has been used for culinary and
medicinal purposes since the 4th Century BC. Cardamom is the second most
expensive spice today. It should be bought whole and ground before use as it
will lose its flavor if kept in powdered form.
Curative Qualities: A stimulant and carminative, cardamom is not used in Western
medicine for it own properties, but forms a flavouring and basis for medicinal
preparations for indigestion and flatulence using other substances, entering into
a synergetic relationship with them. The Arabs attributed aphrodisiac qualities to
it (it features regularly in the Arabian Nights) and the ancient Indians regarded it
as a cure for obesity. It has been used as a digestive since ancient times. A
medicinal (perhaps aphrodisiac) cordial can be made by macerating seeds in hot
water.
Aroma: Pungent, warm and aromatic.
Character: Warm and eucalyptine with camphorous and lemony undertones. Black
cardamom is blunter, the eucalyptus and camphor suggestions very pronounced.
Heat Level: 2

Cassia (Cinnamomum cassia)
Cassia is an aromatic bark, similar to cinnamon, but differing in strength and
quality. Cassia bark is darker, thicker and coarser, and the corky outer bark is
often left on. The outer surface is rough and grayish brown, the inside bark is
smoother and reddish-brown. Cassia is less costly than cinnamon and is often
sold ground as cinnamon.
Curative Qualities: The properties of cassia and cassia oil are similar to those of
cinnamon and comprised largely of cinnamaldehyde. Cassia is a tonic, carminative
and stimulant. It is used to treat nausea and flatulence. It is also used alone or
in combination to treat diarrhea.
Aroma: Sweet-spicy like cinnamon, but more pungent.
Character: The bark and the buds have similar flavours: warm, sweet and
pungent.
Heat Level: 3

Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum frutescens)
Hot peppers, a member of the nightshade family, have been a part of the cuisine
of the lower Americas for around 10,000 years. Although it is hot to taste,
cayenne actually stimulates the brain to lower body temperature. That explains
its mass consumption in hotter climates.
Curative Qualities: Many books have been written about the healing powers of
peppers. Cayenne pepper exerts a number of beneficial effects on the
cardiovascular system. It reduces the likelihood of developing arteriosclerosis by
reducing blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Cayenne also reduces the
platelet aggregation and increases fibrinolytic activity. Cultures consuming a large
amount of Cayenne pepper have a much lower rate of cardiovascular disease.
Cayenne has been used as medicine for centuries. It was considered helpful for
various conditions of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomachaches, cramping
pains, and gas. Cayenne was frequently used to treat diseases of the circulatory
system. It is still traditionally used in herbal medicine as a circulatory tonic (a
substance believed to improve circulation). Many people consume lots of hot
peppers in tropical climates as the heat will induce perspiration, which actually
helps a person to cool off. Cayenne's primary chemical constituents include
capsaicin, capsanthine, beta carotene, flavonoids, and vitamin C. Cayenne also
causes the brain to secrete more endorphins. It is considered thermogenic,
meaning it can "rev up" metabolism and aid in weight loss. Cayenne helps to
relieve pain, not only due to its endorphin enhancing properties, but also when
diluted and used topically it helps to block the transmission of substance P, which
transports pain messages to the brain.
Aroma: Dusty but slightly aromatic.
Character: Hot, pungent and biting, although not as powerful as the hotter
chillies.Heat Level: 8-9

Celery Seed (Apium graviolens)
A cousin to parsley this seed was used as medicine by the ancient Greeks.
Curative Qualities: These seeds are used to treat high blood pressure
(hypotensive properties), nervousness and anxiety (limonene renders mild
tranquilizing effects), muscle spasms (relaxes), and appetite (improves). Other
chemicals in the seeds act as a diuretic, liver tonic (antioxidant properties),
anti-inflammatory, and pain reliever.
Aroma: Celery-like.
Character: Warm and grassy.
Heat Level: 1

Chili Powder
*Not a spice, but an American blend that usually includes chili pepper, garlic
powder, cumin and oregano.

Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)
Also known as Chinese parsley, it is believed to be one of the first herbs to be
used by mankind, perhaps as far back as 5000 B.C. It was grown in the Hanging
Gardens of Babylon and is a member of the parsley family. Greek, Roman and
Egyptian physicians used it in their practices. Ancient Hebrews added cilantro to
an herb mixture used in the ritual of Passover. It was one of the first herbs
imported and grown in America. It was also imported to Mexico where it now
enjoys immense popularity in Mexican cuisine.
Curative Qualities: Cilantro is considered an aid to the digestive system. It is an
appetite stimulant and aids in the secretion of gastric juices. The essential oils of
the cilantro leaves contain antibacterial properties and can be used as a
fungicide. Rich in vitamin C.
Aroma: Citrusy and parsley-like.
Character: Soapy.
Heat Level: 1

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