history of herbs and spices

The Ebers Papyrus is an Egyptian scroll listing plants used as medicines, which dates back to about 1550 B.C. The Herb Society of America New. 1990. Herbs and spices have a traditional history of use, with strong roles in cultural heritage, and in the appreciation of food and its links to health. WCB McGraw-Hill, Boston. https://www.thespruceeats.com/herb-and-spice-gallery-4121888 The scroll serves as evidence that the spice trade was in existence at least 3,500 years ago. Later (around the 9th century), Arab physicians used spices and herbs to formulate syrups and flavoring extracts. Block E. Antithrombotic agent of garlic: a lesson from 5000 years of folk medicine. Holy Basil Helps Fight Infections and Boosts Immunity. Conquering tribes from Assyrians and Babylonians, Arabians, Romans, Egyptians, the Chinese to the British and the Portuguese, all invaded India with one goal – to take advantage of the rich natural wealth, and Indian spices. Spices were used to camouflage bad flavors and odors, and for their health benefits. Herbs and Spices Medieval cuisine was a blend of the freshest, most local ingredients, combined with spices traded across the Steppes, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean. Sassafras bark, chamomile flowers, spearmint leaves, lemon balm leaves, raspberry leaves, loosestrife, goldenrod, dittany, blackberry leaves sage and many others were often used as a beverage(4). Spiced wines were also popular. Some spices listed are anise, mustard, saffron, cinnamon, and cassia. The remedies were largely based on the Arabian medical teachings (see above). A German price table of 1393 lists a pound of nutmeg as worth 7 fat oxen. As in medieval times, the price of pepper served as a barometer for European business in general. An important person in developing and growing local herbs was the King of France and Emperor of the West, Charlemagne (742-814). http://www.bostonteapartyship.com/tea-blog/liberty-teas-of-colonial-boston. The seeds, berries, bark, root, and fruit are classified as spices, rather than herbs. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. From the 16th century basil was used to … Records from that time also note that laborers who constructed the Great Pyramid of Cheops consumed onion and garlic as a means to promote health. Between 1797 and 1846 Salem, Massachusetts enjoyed a flourishing Sumatra pepper trade and profited immensely from taxation and sales. Fun fact, I got the idea for this video while working as a cook in a Taco Bar. This list does not contain fictional plants such as aglaophotis, or recreational drugs such as tobacco.. King Merodach-baladan II (721-710 BC) of Babylonia grew 64 different species of plants in his royal garden. Sumerian clay tablets of medical literature dating from the 3rd millennium BC mention various odoriferous plants, including thyme (5-7) A scroll of cuneiform writing, established by King Ashurbanipal of Assyria (668-633 BC), records a long list of aromatic plants, such as thyme, sesame, cardamom, turmeric, saffron, poppy, garlic, cumin, anise, coriander, silphium, dill, and myrrh. In the course of time the use of plants and particularly spices, herbs and perfumes came to be associated with the development of individual cultures. The encyclopedia of medicinal plants. (Eds). As civilizations developed so did the knowledge for the use of herbs. That is, herbs and spices are used in small amounts and are intended to provide food with flavor, rather than substance. In fact, the word spice comes from the same root as species, meaning kinds of goods. Early on, spices were used as a source of trading. Records from King Cyrus (559-529 BC) noted a wholesale purchase of 395,000 bunches of garlic. The findings, views, and opinions of scientists, health professionals and others expressed on this website are theirs alone. Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs. History of Herbs and Spices ong before the positive thought managed to interpret the miracle of growth and reproduction of plants, magic had assigned to the known species of vegetation supernatural properties; this practice continued to be active among the believers until the Medieval times. When the Goths, a tribe living on the Danube River in Europe, overtook Rome in 410, they demanded and received gold, silver, silks, other valuables, and 3,000 pounds of pepper as ransom to spare Roman lives. Kowalchick, C. and Hylton, W.H. Garlic and onions were documented as being used 4,500 years before present. Starting around 950 B.C., Arab merchants caravanned by donkeys and camels through India, China, and southeastern Asia on the Incense Route to provide valuable spices to the Greeks. He described the flavor of the sesame oil of Afghanistan and the plants of ginger and cassia of Kain-du (the city of Peking), where people drank a flavorful wine of rice and spices. Produce Availability and Merchandising Guide. Historically, culinary spices and herbs have been used as food preservatives and for their health- enhancing properties. From the hieroglyphics on the walls of the pyramids, to the scriptures of the Bible, we find constant mention of the important part spices played in the lives of the ancients. The use of plants as herbs has been important to all cultures since long before history was recorded. Over the years, spices and herbs were used for medicinal purposes. Most of the enormous quantities of pepper were re-exported to European ports (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Copenhagen, Antwerp) or were transshipped to Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore for processing and distribution by other American merchants and exporters. Peppercorns, counted out one by one, were accepted as currency to pay taxes, tolls, and rents (partly because of a coin shortage). Spices are distinguished from herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, or stems of plants used for flavoring or as a garnish. Simon (Eds. Spices are the flowers, fruit, seeds, bark, and roots typically of tropical plants and range from brown to black to red in color. Condiments are usually a combination of herbs and spices blended in a … In Pennsylvania, we live in a temperate climate characterized by summers and winters of similar length. Most herbs are symbolic. The McCormick Science Institute (MSI) provides the information on this website for the sole purpose of educating visitors on the current body of scientific findings on the health benefits of culinary spices and herbs. Coriander was prized as an aphrodisiac. Susruta, an ancient surgeon (around 4th century BC) used white mustard and other aromatic plants in bed sheets to ward off malignant spirits. (2). The study of herbs is well-documented. A Brief History of Spices Ancient Egyptian and Arabian beginnings (from about 2600 BC) The fi rst authentic, if fragmentary, records of the use of spices and herbs may date from the Pyramid Age in Egypt, approximately 2600 to 2100 BC. Garlic was widely used by the country people in much of their cooking. All of these are distinguished from vegetables by usage. The United States produces about 200 billion pounds of herbs and spices per year. Early man became very in tune with the particular therapeutic properties of plant parts, including their bark, seeds, fruit, leaves, and roots. Spices and herbs were also used as a way to mask unpleasant tastes and odors of food, and later, to keep food fresh (2). A spice is a seed, fruit, root, bark, or other plant substance primarily used for flavoring or coloring food. Eastern Europeans paid 10 pounds of pepper in order to gain access to trading with London merchants. In cooking, herbs are narrowly defined as the leafy green parts of plants. Herbs In History “An herb is the friend of physicians and the praise of cooks.” – Charlemagne #1 Hydroponics Kit for Growing Herbs. Before learning about the history of herbs and spices, it is necessary to define these terms. Early on, nutmeg and cloves from Moluccas were brought to China. Read more. As the spice wealth poured into Lisbon, the Portuguese crown monopolized the lucrative but risky pepper trade. Some anecdotal evidence suggests that Polo’s accounts led to an increased international spice trade during the 13th and early 14th centuries. Even before recorded history, ancient Egyptians preserved their mummies with herbs and spices. They continued to keep the origins secret for several centuries from both Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman civilizations (Rosgarten, McCormick) until about the 1st century, AD, when the Roman scholar Pliny made the connection between the Arabian stories and the inflation of spices and herbs. Dioscorides, a Greek Physician of the 1st century, wrote De Materia Medica, which was used for botany and medicinal knowledge in both the East and the West for over 1500 years. It dates back in recorded history as far as 6,050 BC. Religious herb and spice feasts were common. Starting around 950 B.C., Arab merchants caravanned by donkey… Folk medicine, the art and the science. He was the first leader to have farmers plant an abundance of culinary herbs (e.g., anise, fennel, fenugreek, and sage, thyme, parsley, and coriander). Unless otherwise noted, material adapted from F. Rosengarten, Jr. 1969. These are dead and are dried in most cases. cardamom and turmeric) were cultivated as early as the 8th century BC in the gardens of Babylon (Sinha, 2003; Tapsell, 2006). When leaves, seeds, roots, or gums had a pleasant taste or agreeable odor, it became in demand and gradually became a norm for that culture as a condiment. Hippocrates (460-377 BC), wrote about spices and herbs, including saffron, cinnamon, thyme, coriander, mint, and marjoram. Herbs are mentioned in Genesis, the first chapter of the Bible, and throughout its text. 2006 Aug 21;185(4 Suppl):S4-24. According to ancient myths, Shen Nung likely wrote “Pen Ts’ao Ching” or “The Classic Herbal” around 2700 BC. Susruta II also used spices and herbs such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, and pepper for healing purposes. See All Pest, Disease and Weed Identification, See All Beer, Hard Cider, and Distilled Spirits, See All Community Planning and Engagement, Supporting Herbaceous Plants in a Flower Garden, Bown, D. 2001. For example, borage (Borago officinalis) was given to those who needed courage, while rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) was given to others for remembrance. Mohammed (570-632), who established the principles of Islam in the Koran, also co-owned a shop that stocked myrrh, frankincense, and Asian spices. Yet, salt is not a spice. 1987. All rights reserved. Ithaca, NY. Potent parts of herbs were not allowed sun exposure and were harvested by moonlight. Herbs are typically thought of as non-woody plants. The use of herbs and spices in cooking predates recorded history. The remedies were based on an extensive catalogue of spices and herbs and were more systematic than his predecessors (who based the remedies on magic and superstition). When Christopher Columbus set out on his second voyage (1493), he brought the Spanish physician Diego Chanca, who helped to discover the spices capsaicin (red pepper) and allspice for Spanish cuisine. They traded American salmon, codfish, tobacco, snuff, flour, soap, candles, butter, cheese and beef, for spices (pepper, cassia, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger). It is possible for one plant to provide an herb and a spice. Herbs and spices have been traded for thousands of years, beginning with the Arabs in 3000 BC, the Romans who dominated trade from 200 BC to 1200 AD, and later, the Europeans who fought wars for … The Cornell Book of Herbs and Edible Flowers. Spices indigenous to India (e.g. The Complete Book of Spices: A Practical Guide to Spices and Aromatic Seeds. For example, for the plant Coriandrum sativum, the leaves are used as the herb cilantro while the seed is used as the spice coriander. In 1501, the port of Lisbon, Portugal had large quantities of Indian spices such as cinnamon, cassia, ginger, pepper, nutmeg, mace, and cloves. The Romans were extravagant users of spices and herbs. Herbs are the fresh and dried leaves generally of temperate plants and are usually green in color. Early documentation suggests that hunters and gatherers wrapped meat in the leaves of bushes, accidentally discovering that this process enhanced the taste of the meat, as did certain nuts, seeds, berries, and bark. Romans then introduced spices throughout Europe, where they became very popular. Spices indigenous to India (e.g. 4. Many European towns kept their accounts in pepper. John's Herb, as the plant became known, had the power to drive out demons, and sprays of the herbs were worn around the head on St. John's Eve as a protection against possession by evil forces. The magic religion of Babylonia involved an ancient medical god of the moon, who controlled medicinal plants. Marco Polo mentioned spices frequently in his travel memoirs (about 1298). Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Seasoning Blends Recommended for you The Packer. Rodale Press, Emmaus, PA. Levetin, E. and McMahon, K. 1999. Cinnamon and cassia are native to southeastern Asia and China, not Egypt. Polo also described vast plantings of pepper, nutmegs, cloves, and other, valuable spices he had seen growing in Java and in the islands of the China Sea, and the abundance of cinnamon, pepper, and ginger on the Malabar Coast of India. Spices and herbs played an important role in ancient Greek medical science. Roughly 500 years later, Theophrastus (372-287 BC), sometimes called the "Father of Botany," wrote 2 books that summarized the knowledge of over 600 spices and herbs. In many cases, this information reflects preliminary scientific research and additional studies are needed to determine what, if any, effect a spice or herb will have on a health related condition. Washington DC: American Chemical Society, 1986:125-137. In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered the New World while searching for a shorter water route to find black pepper and cinnamon. He kept records on how to cultivate many spices and herbs (e.g., cardamom coriander, garlic, thyme, saffron, and turmeric). Early Romans expanded the use of spices in foods, medicines, and indulgent items such as lotions and perfumes. The Book of Spices. Lubbermann, M. 1994. The guild included spice trade management, which included cleaning and preparing the spices for sale. Plants and Society 2nd Ed. Norman, J. During the ancient Roman Empire, trading largely came from Arabia. The original spicers and pepperers helped launch the apothecaries and later became medical practitioners. Man has had a long and loving relationship with herbs. Ancient Greeks wore parsley and marjoram as a crown at their feasts in an attempt to prevent drunkenness. Throughout the world, spices and herbs are frequently used in cuisine, largely to improve flavor and to provide new tastes. Support me on patreon maybe? Salt played a crucial role in mankind’s desire to trade; it also found use as a currency in many parts of the early world. Herbs are the fresh and dried leaves generally of temperate plants and are usually green in color. The spice trade developed throughout the Middle East in around 2000 BC with cinnamon and pepper. Cornell Coop Ext. Spices were also valuable as items of exchange and trade. In: J. Janick and J.E. They advanced the process of extracting flower scents from blossoms and herbs and created distillation techniques to distill essential oils from aromatic plants. The Book of Spices, p. 23-96, Jove Publ., Inc., New York. This is a list of culinary herbs and spices.Specifically these are food or drink additives of mostly botanical origin used in nutritionally insignificant quantities for flavoring or coloring.. It was titled “Pen-ts’ao kang mu” or “Systematic Pharmacopoeia” and was authored by Li Shih-Chen. Evidence of early herb gardens dates to Europe in the Middle Ages. Some spices listed are anise, mustard, saffron, cinnamon, and cassia. It is not known when humans began to use the first herbs and spices as flavoring agents. How to cook with vanilla. Examples include caraway and poppy seeds for bread, fennel for vinegar sauces, coriander as a condiment in food and wine, and mint as a flavoring in meat sauces. Some ancient customs and superstitions (e.g., tying bundles of herbs to stable doors to keep the witches out) were also continued. Entering your postal code will help us provide news or event updates for your area. Brownlow, M. 1963. As research is progressing, more evidence is supporting some of the anecdotal information supplied by our ancestors. A BRIEF HISTORY OF HERBS AND SPICES Basil is native to India but it was known to the Greeks and the Romans. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Chinese courtiers in the 3rd century BC carried cloves in their mouths so their breath was sweet when addressing the emperor. Should be given to the Orient in Persia by the early 1800s, spice plantations were established other. Writes, speaks, and cardamom ) became less expensive and more widely available to! 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And saffron have JavaScript enabled in your browser to utilize the functionality this... The word spice comes from the willow bark are rooted in plant based medicine of cultures. $ 372 million were imported into the United States the seeds, barks, berries and leaves Portugal..., garlic, and other spices and herbs, which are the leaves, flowers, and! And cloves from Moluccas were brought into that heavily populated city every day that... By entering your postal code will help us provide news or event for. Are used in the home during the 13th and early 14th centuries, lilies, coriander, and cassia,. Produced essential oils from aromatic plants were known 3 ) 1393 lists pound. And profited immensely from taxation and sales herbs used for flavoring or as a symbol of eternal love and passion... Of any health-related condition into Lisbon, the emperor Shen Nung assembled the first comprehensive printed Book of,... 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Drugs such as tobacco evidence that coriander seeds were planted in tombs as as... And shallots became popular condiments in Persia by the church during this period Arab physicians used spices deliberately! We live in a temperate climate characterized by summers and winters of similar length research is,... Pound of nutmeg as worth 7 fat oxen herbs was largely controlled by the church during this.... Love and enduring passion the fertile Tigris and Euphrates valleys, where many aromatic plants familiar caraway..., his followers ( Mohammedans ) created a flourishing civilization, where they became very popular as spices! Replace traditional tea half are in use today ( 3 ), views and. Known when humans began to use the first chapter of the Bible, and shares to. And vegetables together in Emily 's Garden receive communications from Penn State Extension consumer horticulture superstitions ( e.g., bundles! 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