Licorice, known to science as glycyrrhizin glabra, is a member of the pea family that is widely cultivated throughout Greece and Turkey. The key therapeutic compound contained in licorice is glycyrrhizin, and this compound is found in the underground stem of the tall purple flowered shrub. In addition to the glycyrrhizin, licorice contains hundreds of … Read more
The spice known as cinnamon is one of the oldest in the entire world. In fact, cinnamon is mentioned several times in the Bible and it was used throughout ancient Egypt for a number of purposes. In addition to its use as a flavoring for various beverages and as a medicine, cinnamon was used as … Read more
The herb known as oregano is native to northern Europe, but it grows throughout many regions of the world. Oregano has long been prized for its aroma and its strong taste, and the ancient Greeks and Romans used the herb as a symbol of happiness and joy. Oregano was held in such high esteem that … Read more
The herb known as thyme is native to Asia, southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. In addition to these traditional growing places, it is also widely cultivated throughout North America. It has been valued for thousands of years for its aromatic, culinary and medicinal uses. Thyme was even used by those in ancient Egypt as … Read more
While basil is now grown throughout the world, it is native to India, Africa and Asia, and basil is widely used in a variety of world cuisines, including Thai cooking, Italian cuisine, Vietnamese culture and Laotian cuisine. The name basil comes from an old Greek word “basilikohn”, which translates to royal. This name origin reflects … Read more
The herb known as ginger is native to Southeast Asia, and the various cuisines of Asian countries have long used ginger in their cooking. It has long been featured in the writings of China, India and many Middle Eastern countries, and it has been prized for its medicinal and culinary qualities, as well as for … Read more
Although it is now grown throughout the temperate regions of Europe and the Americas, rosemary is actually native to the Mediterranean region. Rosemary has been prized as both a seasoning and as an herbal medicine for thousands of years. For many years, rosemary was thought to help improve and strengthen memory, and it is still … Read more
The herb known today as garlic is native to central Asia, and it is one of the longest cultivated plants in the entire world. Garlic has been cultivated for over 5000 years, with the residents of ancient Egypt widely believed to be the first to cultivate this herb. Indeed, garlic played an important role in … Read more
Pepper is derived naturally enough from the pepper plant. The plant is actually a large woody vine that has been known to grow to heights of more than thirty feet. Pepper plants are common in the hot and humid climates found in the tropics of many countries. The plant vines begin to grow their traditional … Read more
Green tea, like black tea and oolong tea, is derived from the tea plant and it is thought to have originated in the area of the world that now encompasses western China, northern India and the country of Tibet. Chinese legend holds that tea was discovered by the emperor Shen- Nung in the year 2737 … Read more
Olives are one of the oldest foods known to man, and the history of olive oil is nearly as old. Olives are thought to have originated on the island of Crete between five and seven thousand years ago. Since the most ancient times, olive trees were used to provide food, fuel and timber, and many … Read more
The kiwi fruit is native to China, and kiwis were known to the Chinese as Yang Tao. The kiwi fruit was first introduced to New Zealand from China by missionaries early in the 20th century and the first commercial plantings of kiwi took place several decades later. Kiwi fruits are also known as Chinese gooseberries, … Read more