Healing Properties of Garlic

Garlic carries many health benefits. Garlic is believed to help in the following:

• have antibacterial activity 
• prevent cancer (especially stomach and colon cancers) 
• have antiviral activity 
• prevent heart disease 
• have anti-fungal activity
• high blood pressure 
• reduce high cholesterol levels in the human body 
• regulate blood sugar levels 

Garlic History and Origin

The name garlic dates back to the time when Old English was spoken, and it is translated as spear leek. It is however known that garlic originates from Central Asia and from there made its way all over the world. Garlic dates as far back as 6000 years and was mainly used for medicinal and culinary purposes, even though some cultures perceived garlic as being spiritual with supernatural powers. It is also said that the Ancient Egyptians fed their slaves with garlic to increase their strength and ability to work harder.

Interestingly, garlic was almost exclusively found among ethnic minority cultures in the United States until the 1940's, where it suddenly gained in popularity and has since then been a major ingredient in many recipes.

Garlic Education

The names of garlic in different languages


Arabic: ثوم
Croatian: češnjak 
Czech: česnek kuchyňský 
Dutch: knoflook 
Finnish: valkosipuli
French: l'ail cultivé 
German: knoblauch 
Icelandic: hvítlaukur
Italian: l'aglio
Latin: allium sativum 
Russian: Чесно́к
Spanish: ajo
Swedish: vitlök

Healing Properties of Thyme

Thyme carries a significant number of healing properties. Thyme....

• is an anti-parasitical agent
• cures hangovers and stomach cramps
• helps against bronchitis and other coughs 
• cures a cold
• has anti-inflammatory properties
• is anti-septic 
• is an anti-fungal 

Thyme History and Origin

Thyme is a herb that can be traced back as far as to Ancient Egypt where it was used in the process of embalming. Its name comes from the Greek word thymos which means spirit and/or smoke. In Ancient Greece, people put thyme in their bath and burned it as incense because they believed thyme was a sign of courage. Similarly, the Romans took a bath in thyme water before battle to gain courage and strength. It is said that many knights of the Middle Ages had a sprig of thyme embroidered on their scarves by their loved  one as a sign of bravery. 

It is said in Northern European folklore that wild thyme is the favorite place of fairies, and therefore also the easiest place to spot them. 

Thyme Education

The names of thyme in different languages 

Czech: mateřídouška 
Croatian: timijan
Danish: timian
Finnish: timjam
French: thym
German: thymiane
Italian: timo
Latin: thymus
Portuguese: tomilho
Russian: Тимья́н
Swedish: timjan

Healing Properties of Garden Sage

Garden sage has throughout history been highly regarded due to its medicinal properties. Garden sage has:

• anti-inflammatory properties (recommended for people with inflammatory conditions such as bronchial asthma and atherosclerosis
• antioxidants
• healing properties to sooth a sore throat 
• healing properties to help treat mouth problems such as bleeding gums
• characteristics that promotes a healthy brain function 

Garden Sage History and Origin

Garden sage is native to the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. It is said that the Romans introduced garden sage in fresh, dried and powdered form to Europe where it became very popular and pricey due to its healing properties. Garden sage was one of the ingredients of the "Four Thieves of Vinegar", a mix of various herbs that was supposed to ward off the plague that killed a significant number of Europeans during the Middle Ages. 


Garden sage has also been used as a preservative for meat among the Greeks and Romans until the invention of the refrigerator. 


The Latin word for garden sage is Salvia Officinalis, and derives from the Latin word salvere and means "to be saved"

Garden Sage Education

The names of garden sage in different languages

Croatian: Kadulja
Danish: Læge-Salvie
Finnish:Ryytisalvia
French: La sauge officinale
German: Echte Salbe
Latin: Salvia officinalis
Portuguese: Salva - comum
Spanish: Salvia
Swedish: Kryddsalvia

Healing Properties of Fenugreek

Fenugreek is known to:

• promote milk flow in breastfeeding women
• lower cholesterol 
• be a uterine stimulant
• carry anti-inflammatory properties 
• aid digestion
• help balancing the female hormones
• to control blood sugar levels
• ease abdominal cramps 

Fenugreek Origin and History

Fenugreek is native North Africa, but has also been widely cultivated in India. The name fenugreek comes from the latin word for "Greek hay" because it essentially was used for cattle food.  Other names include Goat’s Horn and Bird’s Foot.  In Ancient Greece,  the spice was considered to be a valuable soothing herb, but also a remedy for gynecological problems.

Fenugreek can also be traced back to traditional Chinese medicine where it was used to promote healthy kidneys, and to cure a cold or the flu.

Fenugreek Education

The names of fenugreek in different languages 


French: Fenugrec
German:Bockshornklee 
Italian: Fieno greco
Latin: Trigonella foenum-graecum
Portuguese: Feno-grego 
Russian: Па́житник сенно́й
Spanish: Fenogreco
Swedish: Bockhornsklöver
Turkish: Çemen otu

Healing Properties of Wasabi (Japanese Horseradish)

Wasabi carries medicinal qualities such as:

• anticancer properties
• antimicrobial properties (ex: kills off bacteria that causes food poisoning)
• anti-inflammatory properties
• anti- heart attack/ stroke properties

Traditionally, wasabi has been used to: 

Wasabi powder

• aid digestion
• relieve cough symptoms
• prevent blood clots
• remove toxins from the body 
• treat fungal infections 
• prevent coagulation 

History and Origin of Wasabi (Japanese Horseradish)

Wasabi is native to Japan, and was according to a Japanese legend discovered several hundred years ago. It is also said that before its discovery, the spice used to grow wild in the valleys of the Japanese mountains. The survivors of the defeated Heike clan (in the battle of Dannoura, year 1185) who settled in the mountains used to collect wild wasabi for culinary and medicinal purposes. After its discovery wasabi started to spread to other parts of Asia such as China and Taiwan, and furthermore to remaining parts of the world.

Even though the Western world most commonly recognizes wasabi as the green, spicy paste one gets together with sushi, the Japanese preferably grate fresh wasabi root to kill off various bacteria and odors of raw fish dishes.

Education on Wasabi (Japanese Horseradish)

The names of wasabi in different languages


Chinese (Mandarin): 山葵 (Shan kui)

Wasabi Paste

Danish: Japansk Peberrod
Finnish: Japaninpiparjuuri
French: Raifort du Japon
German: Japanischer Kren
Japanese (Kanji): 山葵 (Wasabi)
Latin: Wasabia japonica 
Portuguese: Rabanete-japonês
Russian: Васаби
Swedish: Japansk pepparrot

Health Benefits Nutmeg

Nutmeg is known to be a healing spice. Studies suggests that nutmeg:

• lowers blood pressure 
• eases stomach cramps and gets rid of gas
• stimulates brain activity and relieves stress 
• carries anti inflammatory properties to treat joint and muscle pain 
• helps dissolving kidney stones
• encourages appetite

NOTE: It is very important to acknowledge that one should only consume nutmeg in low doses. In fact,  nutmeg in very large doses can cause nausea, dehydration and body pain. Never consume more the 30 grams of nutmeg / day (approximately 5 tablespoons).

History and Origin of Nutmeg

The nutmeg tree belongs to the Myristicaceae family, and native to the Banda Islands that are part of the larger Molucca Islands of Indonesia, also called the "Spice Islands". The Molucca Islands are also the home of cloves, a spice you can read about in a few posts below. The islands were something of a spice paradise for colonists and European and Arabic spice traders. During the 16th and 17th century, nutmeg was believed to keep off the plague and was therefore a very pricey spice, and high in demand.

The state of Connecticut has sometimes been called the "nutmeg state" because of some Connecticut traders who fooled people into buying what they believed to be nutmeg, but in reality it was nothing but carved woods looking like the spice. 

Education on Nutmeg

The names of nutmeg in different languages


Arabic: جوزة الطيب
French: Muscadier
German: Muskatnussbaum
Icelandic: Múskat
Latin: Myristica fragrans
Portuguese: Noz-moscada
Russian: Мускатный орех
Swedish: Muskot
Turkish: Küçük Hindistan cevizi

Healing Properties of the Mustard Seed

Mustard has a great variety of health benefits:

• Hair growth stimulant
• Digestive and laxative properties
• Salivation stimulant to increase appetite 
• Contains sulphur to treat skin diseases
• Antiseptic properties to clear sinuses and the lungs. 

Mustard does also contain:

• Essential B-complex vitamins that the body needs to properly work the nervous system and to regulate metabolism. 
• Minerals such as iron, calcium, copper and zinc.
• Antioxidants such as carotenes, zeaxanthin and lutein (to help get rid of toxins in the body)

Mustard Seed History and Origin

Today, mustard is a spice most commonly used for culinary purposes, but that has not always been the case. In fact, history tells us mustard was actually used for medicinal purposes rather than for cooking. Mustard is native to Asia, but has throughout history been globally dispersed due to the Spanish explorations and world trade. Ancient Greek philosopher Pythagoras used mustard as a remedy for scorpion stings. The Romans prepared mustard by grinding it into a paste to fully bring out its aroma and taste, but one can also roast it until it pops (which is very common to India). 

The mustard seed is referred to as a model of the kingdom of God in the Bible (New Testament). Jewish texts uses the spice as an example to demonstrate the expansion of the universe after its creation, which at one point after that was no bigger than the size of a mustard seed.  

Mustard Seed Education

Yellow Mustard Seeds

The names of mustard in different languages:

Czech: hořčice
French: moutarde
German: senfkorn
Italian: senape 
Icelandic: sinnep
Portuguese: mostarda
Spanish: granos de mostaza
Swedish: senap