List of 40 Spices

If you were to compile a list of 40 spices, it is likely to include some, or even most of these popular spices. Over the millennia, they have been sought after and valued not only for their culinary value, but for their medicinal value as well. Here are the some of the spices that are most commonly used to this day, for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

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

• 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

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

• 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

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

Caraway Seeds

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

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

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

• 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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

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

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

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

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

• 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• 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

• 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

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

• 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.

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