Kokum refers to the fruit from one of the most important spice trees in India’s Western Ghats; however, it is not well known in other parts of India and virtually unknown outside of the Subcontinent. For example, very few Indians in the northern and eastern parts of the country have …
Maca — also called maca root or Peruvian ginseng — comes from the South American countries of Peru and Bolivia. Both of those countries are quite mountainous and maca grows best at high altitudes. Maca is a root vegetable in the potato family that is said to be the highest …
Elderberry is native to North America, Europe and Asia. Some varieties are believed to have been around as far back as 12,000 BCE. Elderberry seeds were found in Swiss dwellings from 2000 BCE. Pliny the Elder mentioned elderberry’s health benefits in his writings as did Dioscorides. A few centuries later, …
Stevia and brown sugar are two sweetening options that are sometimes marketed as being healthier options than white sugar. Their ability to replace refined sugar does not make them interchangeable; these products have quite a few differences. Consider the stevia vs. brown sugar comparison below in this SPICEography Showdown. How …
Spirulina is a type of algae that grows in freshwater. It is harvested from lakes, ponds and rivers. It is found mainly in Africa but also in Asia parts of Asia, Mexico and the US. Spirulina is called dihe in Chad and is harvested from Lake Chad by women in …
Goldenrod is a member of the Asteraceae family that grows in Europe, Asia as well as parts of Africa and North America (including Mexico). It is the state flower in several US states. Goldenrod has long been considered an excellent herb for treating wounds, which is why it is sometimes …
Tansy’s use was first recorded by the Greeks who used it mainly as a medicine and for preserving bodies before burial. The herb was still in use in the 8th century where it was planted in Charlemagne’s herb gardens, and Benedictine monks in Switzerland also used it. The ailments treated …
Common rue (Ruta graveolens) comes from the Balkan Peninsula and North Africa but has been naturalized all over the world. The Rutaceae family to which common rue belongs also includes citrus trees. It was widely used in ancient times, but its use has declined because of its reputation for toxicity …