Spices come from distant lands along ancient trade routes. These commodities bring flavor to food, health and beauty to consumers and immense wealth to those who control the flow. These aromatic substances have practical, medicinal and cosmetic value, especially for skin.
These spice are known in organic health and can be found in ancient medicines and beauty concoctions. In beauty and cosmetics they're especially beneficial to the skin in face and/or body masks, astringents and exfoliants. Before using them on skin, do a test patch.
These days the trade routes are mechanized and these spices are easily found in grocery stores, health food outlets and in the millions online. The spices can be processed by the manufacturer or at home with ye olde mortar and pestle.
1. Cinnamon
Origin: Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Southeast Asia
Harvesting: Cinnamon is harvested from the inner bark of the Cinnamomum tree. The outer bark is stripped away, leaving the inner bark to be dried into the familiar curled cinnamon sticks.
Health Benefits: Known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, cinnamon is used to help stabilize blood sugar levels and improve heart health. Cinnamon has antibacterial and insect repellent properties too.
Cosmetics & Beauty: Cinnamon is used in facials to treat acne, smooth and soften skin.
Importance in Trade: Historically, Ceylon cinnamon's revered and highly priced in trade. It's common in ancient Egypt for both culinary and embalming purposes, making it a precious trade commodity.
2. Cassia
Origin: China and Indochina
Harvesting: Similar to cinnamon, cassia is derived from the bark of the Cinnamomum cassia tree. It is thicker, darker, and has a stronger flavor than true cinnamon.
Health Benefits: Cassia contains compounds used to treat gut health and reduce inflammation.
Cosmetics & Beauty: exfoliant for bright complexion; similar benefits as cinnamon. For cassia and cinnamon concoctions, a few drops of vitamin E help nourish the complexion.
Importance in Trade: Cassia is often used as a more affordable substitute for cinnamon, making it an essential spice in Eurasian trade. It's found in many Western culinary traditions.
3. Cardamom
Origin: India and Guatemala
Harvesting: Cardamom seeds are harvested from the pods of the Elettaria cardamomum plant. The pods are handpicked before they fully ripen, preserving their fragrance.
Health Benefits: Cardamom is rich in antioxidants and has been known to aid digestion, freshen breath, and support oral health.
Cosmetics & Beauty: Cardamom oil is a nourishing and beautifying hair mask. Oil comes from the seeds. Mix with honey, Vitamin A or use alone. If hair is oily or full of product, wash first with baby shampoo and let dry naturally.
Importance in Trade: Deeply rooted in ancient trade, cardamom is prized not only for its flavor but also for its use in traditional medicine. Its high market value made it a favored commodity on early spice routes.
4. Ginger
Origin: Southeast Asia
Harvesting: Ginger is harvested from the rhizome of the Zingiber officinale plant. It can be harvested year-round, but is best collected when the rhizomes are mature.
Health Benefits: Ginger is renowned for its digestive properties and anti-nausea effects, often used to relieve motion sickness and improve overall digestion.
Cosmetics & Beauty: this miracle root is a common addition to Elixirs of Life. It's used to combat aging, accelerate hair growth and reduce facial blemishes. Make it into a hydrosol or tea application to take advantage of its astringent qualities.
Importance in Trade: The global demand for ginger has been constant since ancient times, leading to its widespread cultivation and trade across Asia, Europe, and eventually the Americas.
5. Pepper
Origin: India
Harvesting: Black pepper is harvested from the berries of the Piper nigrum plant. The berries are picked while green and then fermented to yield the pungent black spice.
Health Benefits: Black pepper is rich in piperine, which enhances nutrient absorption and possesses antioxidant properties.
Cosmetics & Beauty: Pepper is used to treat the skin pigment condition vitiligo. It may also combat dandruff.
Importance in Trade: Pepper, known as the "King of Spices," is so valuable it's also called black gold. Its high economic value leads to the establishment of trade routes which shape geopolitics throughout history.
6. Nutmeg
Origin: The Spice Islands (Moluccas, Indonesia)
Harvesting: Nutmeg is harvested from the seed of the Myristica fragrans tree. After harvesting the seeds, they are dried to develop the distinctive flavor.
Health Benefits: Nutmeg is known for its potential to relieve pain, promote sleep, and improve digestive health.
Cosmetics & Beauty: In masks and scrubs, improves skin tone and diminishes blotchiness.
Importance in Trade: Nutmeg is a highly sought-after spice during the Age of Exploration, leading to fierce competition among European powers for control over its production and trade.
7. Star Anise
Origin: China and Vietnam
Harvesting: Star anise is harvested from the fruit of the Illicium verum tree. The fruit is picked while green and then dried to reveal the star-shaped pods.
Health Benefits: Star anise is rich in antioxidants and is used in traditional medicine to treat coughs, as well as digestive and skin issues. It's sometimes added to medicinal wine recipes.
Cosmetics & Beauty: star anise is used to treat blotchiness or inflammation of the skin. It can soothe dry skin and help treat eczema.
Importance in Trade: Star anise is a crucial ingredient in spice trade routes due to its distinctive flavor and aroma, often used to enhance both food and traditional medicines.
8. Cloves
Origin: The Spice Islands (Moluccas, Indonesia)
Harvesting: Cloves are harvested from the flower buds of the Syzygium aromaticum tree. The buds are picked while still unopened and are then dried until they turn dark brown.
Health Benefits: Cloves are known for their antiviral and antiseptic properties and are commonly used to relieve dental pain and improve digestive health.
Cosmetics & Beauty: Cloves are marketed in anti-aging serums.
Importance in Trade: Cloves were extremely valuable in trade during the Middle Ages, with their use in food preservation and flavoring making them a necessity for long voyages.
9. Turmeric
Origin: India
Harvesting: Turmeric is derived from the rhizomes of the Curcuma longa plant. The rhizomes are boiled and then dried before being ground into the bright yellow powder.
Health Benefits: Turmeric is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, particularly due to its active compound, curcumin, which has been widely studied for its potential health benefits.
Cosmetics & Beauty: Turmeric is used to reduce appearance of scars, and combat bacteria causing inflammation. It can be used to temporarily dye hair blonde, orange or yellow.
Importance in Trade: Known as "golden spice," turmeric has been a key component of trade routes due to its flavor, color, and medicinal properties, making it a staple in various culinary traditions. In Indian weddings turmeric is traditionally well-sprinkled on the bride and groom.
10. New World: Chile Peppers
Origin: Central and South America
Harvesting: Chile peppers are harvested from the Capsicum plant and can be picked while still green for less heat or allowed to ripen to red for maximum flavor.
Health Benefits: Chile peppers are high in vitamins A and C and contain capsaicin, known for its pain-relieving properties and metabolism-boosting effects.
Cosmetics & Beauty: Beta-carotene in chile peppers combats free radicals which cause premature aging. Do not apply near eyes.
Importance in Trade: Following Columbus' voyages, chile peppers spread rapidly across Europe and Asia, transforming cuisines and leading to new culinary innovations. They quickly become essential in global trade, reshaping diets worldwide.
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