List of 40 Spices

A Brief List of 40 Spices

Allspice

• Latin Name: Pimenta dioica
• Other Names: Pimento, Myrtle pepper, Jamaican pepper, Kurundu"
• Medicinal Uses
  • Rheumatism
  • Flatulence
  • Toothache
  • Muscle aches
  • Digestive aid

Ajwain

• Latin Name: Trachyspermum ammi or Carum copticum
• Other Names: carom seeds, bishop's weed, Ajave Seeds, Ajvain, Ethiopian Cumin
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Flatulence
  • Digestive aid
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Anti-spasmodic
  • Colic

Anise

• Latin Name: Pimpinella anisum
• Other Names: anise seed, aniseed, Sweet Cumin
• Medicinal Uses
  • Indigestion
  • Flatulence
  • Breath-sweetener
  • Coughs
  • Sore throat

Black Cumin

• Latin Name: Nigella sativa
• Other Names: Fennel flower, Roman coriander, Nutmeg flower, Black seed, Black Onion seed, Black caraway
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Headache
  • Digestive aid
  • Flatulence
  • Toothache
  • Asthma
  • Allergies

Black Pepper

• Latin Name: Piper nigrum
• Other Names: pepper, peppercorns
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Digestive system tonic
  • Rheumatism
  • Nausea
  • Flatulence
  • Laxative

Caraway Seed

• Latin Name: Carum Carvi
• Other Names: Wild cumin, Persian caraway, Roman cumin,
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Digestive aid
  • Flatulence
  • Colic
  • Antispasmodic

Cardamom

• Latin Name: Elettaria cardamomum
• Other Names: Cardamon, Lesser Cardamom
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Digestive aid
  • Respiratory conditions
  • Inflammatory conditions
  • Liver complaints.
  • Flatulence

Cassia

• Latin Name: Cassia senna or Cinnamonum cassia
• Other Names: Chinese cassia, Canton Cassia, Canel, Cassia Bark
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Diarrhea
  • Anti-microbial
  • Antibacterial
  • Tonic
  • Nausea

Cayenne

• Latin Name: Capsicum annuum or frutescens
• Other Names: Red pepper, Capsaicin, Chili pepper.
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Pain-relief
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Ear infections
  • Psoriasis
  • Weight loss
  • Cluster headaches

Celery Seeds

• Latin Name: Apium Graveolens
• Other Names: Marsh Water Parsley, Wild Celery, Smallage, Garden Celery
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Pain relief
  • Arthritis
  • Diuretic
  • Kidney tonic
  • Appetite loss

Chile Pepper

• Latin Name: Capsicum annuum
• Other Names: Chili pepper; Red pepper, Capsaicin
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Pain relief
  • Arthritis and neuropathie
  • Decongestant
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Colds, bronchitis, sinusitis

Cinnamon

• Latin Name: Cinnamomum zeylanicum
• Other Names: True Cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon,
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Diabetes
  • Antibacterial
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Loss of appetite
  • Intestinal colic

Clove

• Latin Name: Syzgium aromaticum or Eugenia caryophyllis
• Other Names: ding heung
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Local anesthetic
  • Aphrodisiac
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Flatulence
  • Indigestion
  • Tooth aches

Coriander

• Latin Name: Coriandrum sativum
• Other Names: Cilantro, Chinese parsley plant, Dizzycorn, Japanese Parsley
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Anti-microbial
  • Flatulence
  • Loss of appetite
  • Digestive aid
  • Headaches

Cumin

• Latin Name: Cuminum cyminum
• Other Names: sweet cumin
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Diuretic
  • Flatulence
  • Diarrhea
  • Indigestion
  • Muscle spasms,

Dill

• Latin Name: Anethum gravelans
• Other Names: Dilly, Garden Dill, Dill Seed
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Colic
  • Digestive aid
  • Mild bowel disorders
  • Promote milk production
  • Flatulence

Fennel

• Latin Name: Anethum foeniculum
• Other Names: Large Fennel, Large Cumin, Sweet Fennel, Common Fennel,
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Flatulence
  • Intestinal colic
  • Lactation stimulant
  • Muscle spasms
  • Eyewash

Fenugreek

• Latin Name: Trigonella foenum-graecum
• Other Names: Foenugreek, Goat’s Horn, Bird’s Foot
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Appetizer
  • Diabetes
  • Aphrodisiac
  • Fever
  • Tuberculosis
  • Dyspepsia

Frankincense

• Latin Name: Boswellia thurifera
• Other Names: Luban
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Acne
  • Wounds and scars
  • Bacterial and fungal infections,
  • Arthritis
  • Natural insecticide

Galangal

• Latin Name: Languas galangal or Alpinia galanga
• Other Names: Siamese ginger, galangale, greater galangal, galang, Laos .
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Bowel spasms
  • Dyspepsia
  • Angina
  • Nausea
  • Anti-oxidant

Garlic

• Latin Name: Allium sativum
• Other Names: Poor Man's Treacle, Clown's Treacle, Gousse d'ail
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Antioxidant
  • Cancer prevention
  • High blood pressure
  • Respiratory conditions
  • Lower cholesterol

Ginger

• Latin Name: Zingiber officinale
• Other Names: Jamaica Ginger, East Indian Pepper, Jamaica Pepper
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Digestive aid
  • Bowel colic
  • Carminative
  • Dyspepsia
  • Aphrodisiac

Horseradish

• Latin Name: Amoracia rusticana
• Other Names: Great Raifort, Mountain Radish, Horse Plant, Red cole
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Sinus and throat conditions
  • Expectorant
  • Diuretic
  • Counter-irritant
  • Source of Vitamin C

Jalapeño Pepper

• Latin Name: -----
• Other Names: Cuaresmenos, Chiles Gordos, Huachinangos
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Anti-cancer
  • Topical analgesic
  • Weight-loss
  • Arthritis
  • Muscle aches

Juniper Berries

• Latin Name: Juniperus communis
• Other Names: Juniper Fruit, Juniper
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Skin growths
  • Upset stomach
  • Urinary tract disease
  • Gout
  • Kidney tonic

Licorice

• Latin Name: Glycyrrhiza glabra
• Other Names: Sweetroot, Liquorice, Black Sugar, Licorice Root
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Coughs
  • Flatulence
  • Colon cleanser
  • Sore throat
  • Ulcers

Mace

• Latin Name: Myristica Fragrans
• Other Names:
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Digestive aid
  • Flatulence
  • Appetizer
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

Mustard

• Latin Name: Brassica alba or Sinapis nigra
• Other Names: Yellow Mustard, Brown mustard, Grocer’s mustard, Indian Mustard
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Dyspepsia
  • Laxative
  • Bowel conditions
  • Liniment
  • Epilepsy

Nutmeg

• Latin Name: Myristica fragrans
• Other Names: noix muscade, Pala
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Diarrhea,
  • Dyspepsia
  • Colic
  • Digestive aid
  • Appetite loss

Onion

• Latin Name: Allium cepa
• Other Names: palandu, oignon
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Colds
  • Diuretic
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Antiseptic
  • Skin conditions

Paprika

• Latin Name: Capiscum annuum
• Other Names: Pimento Pepper, Hungarian Pepper
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Source of vitamin A
  • Source of vitamin C
  • Antioxidant
  • Weight loss

Peppercorns

Latin Name: Piper nigrum Other Names: black pepper, green pepper, pink pepper Medicinal Uses:

• • Digestive aid
  • Colds and Coughs
  • Nervine tonic
  • Muscular pain
  • Gum inflammation

Saffron

• Latin Name: Crocus sativus
• Other Names: Kesar, Autumn Crocus, Hay Saffron, Crocus, Gatinais Saffron,
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Menstrual condition
  • Antispasmodic
  • Flatulence
  • Sedative
  • Menstrual disorders

Savory

• Latin Name: Satureja Montana or Satureja Hortensis
• Other Names: Summer savory, winter savory
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Digestive tract tonic
  • Antiseptic
  • Diarrhea
  • Sore throat
  • Digestive aid

Sesame

• Latin Name: Sesamum indicum
• Other Names: Semsem, Simsim, Bene Seeds, Beniseed, Gingelly, Gingili
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Blood tonic
  • Laxative
  • Acne
  • Tinnitus
  • Dizziness

Star Anise

• Latin Name: Illicium Verum
• Other Names: Chinese Anise, Anise Stars, Badain
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Diuretic
  • Colic
  • Flatulence
  • Rheumatism
  • Digestive aid

Sumac

• Latin Name: Rhus coriara
• Other Names: Sumach, Sicilian Sumac, Tanner’s Sumach, Sumak.
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Bowel conditions
  • Cold, flu and fever
  • Water retention
  • Headaches
  • Kidney anemia

Tabasco Pepper

• Latin Name: Capsicum frutescens
• Other Names: Bird Pepper, African Pepper, Chili Pepper, Mexican Chillies, Goat's Pod, Zanzibar Pepper
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Hangover
  • Sore throat
  • Back Ache
  • Colds
  • Arthritis

Tamarind

• Latin Name: Tamarindus indica
• Other Names: Tamarindo, Indian Date
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Laxative
  • Digestive aid
  • Wounds
  • Sore throat
  • Ulcers
  • Liver disease

Turmeric

• Latin Name: Curcuma longa
• Other Names: Yellow Ginger, Indian Saffron
• Medicinal Uses:
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antioxidant
  • Low cholesterol
  • Cancer and HIV
  • Arthritis

This list of 40 spices represents a cross-section from a rich and varied list of all the spices of the world. Despite the passage of many millennia, these spices continue to enrich our culinary and therapeutic experiences.