Named after an English botanist named John Ray, ALLSPICE is native to tropical regions, such as Central America but was also cultivated in Jamaica. It’s a dried fruit from the Pimenta Dioica tree, which produces small, white flowers and a peppercorn-looking fruit that’s picked while green and dried in the sun turning into a reddish-brown peppercorn that is powdered or left whole.
It is a warming and aromatic spice that smells like a blend of spices, specifically cinnamon
Derived from the inner bark, which curls up as it dries, comes the stimulating warm spice of cinnamon. It targets the glandular (or endocrine) system, consisting of glands that increase, nutmeg
Popular during the Christmas holidays as the main spice in eggnog, Nutmeg is a strong digestive aid (carminative) that should be used sparingly as it is toxic if ingested in, black pepper
As we continue with HOLISTICALLY SPEAKING, today we will spotlight BLACK PEPPER as our third culinary spice for National Nutrition Month. Sometimes called black peppercorn, piper, or pepper for short,, and cloves
Dried flower buds resembling nails makes up cloves. With an extremely strong, pungent, and aromatic nature, they come whole or ground up. It's a warming stimulant that stimulates the digestive, but is a single spice. It can be added to flour mix for pancakes, muffins, cookies, biscuits, or bread as a powder. It can also be sprinkled onto toast or added to hot chocolate.
Holistically speaking, a few of its beneficial qualities include:
- A great digestive aid
- High in vitamins and minerals, such as calciumCalcium is a vital mineral essential for various physiological functions in the body, with its primary role centered around bone health and proper functioning of the nervous and muscular systems., ironIron is a crucial mineral with a primary role in transporting oxygen throughout the body via hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells. This oxygen transport is vital for energy, and manganese
- Fights off colds and flu
- Calms menstrual cramps
PROPERTIES: anesthetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative, circulatory stimulant, rubefacient
SOURCES:
McBride, K. (2019). The Herbal Kitchen. Newburyport, MA: Red Barren.
Webb., M. A. & Craze, R. (2000). The Herb & Spice Companion. New York: Metro Books.