BRAIN SPICESCinnamon

Saffron

Turmeric

Sage

Cinnamon

Name your favorite use

CinnamonAncient use

Egyptians = embalming, cosmeticsEgyptians imported 2,000 BCArabs controlled

keep as a secretLegendary phoenix built nest

Bible references:Moses – ingredient of holy oilProverbs – lover’s bed perfumeSong of Solomon - describe belovedincense in Tabernacle

Very expensive

One year wages for commoner

Nero 65 AD burned year’s worthof city’s supply for his wife’s pyre

Portuguese 1518Dutch 1638English 1796decline

True vs. CassiaTrue or Ceylon cinnamon

Cinnamonum verumCinnamomum zeylanicumSri Lanka indigenous

80-90% world

Cassia cinnamonCinnamomum iners

native to BurmaC. loureiroi

Saigon cinnamon

Cinnamon quills

80 nutrientsmanganesefiberironcalcium

Cinnamaldehydeessential oil

Food preservativeantimicrobialantifungal

Memory lossgum before testmore focusfaster reflexesbetter scores

Medical uses

Type II Diabetes1 g/day (1/4 tsp.)20% drop in sugar

Caution! Coumarinmay cause liver problems

HistoryScent, purify temples GreeceBath water RomansCleopatraMedieval dye

Food yellowRice dishesCakes

Saint Santa LuciaDec. 13, saffron bread

Lussekatter

Stigma of blue crocus

Most expensive spice100,000 flowers/pound$5,000/pound

Harvesting saffron

Harvesting saffron in Iran

90% produced in Iran220 tons/year

Packaging saffron

Medical Usea. Depression

15 mg/dayas effective as ProzacWorks on serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrineBoost and stabilize mood

b. Athersclerosis100 mg/daydecrease cholesterol

c. Alzheimer’s 30 mg/day. Slows progress

d. Cancer, Parkinson’s, MSstill in trials, cell or animal

TurmericLeading crusader against disease

PerennialCurcuma aromatica

rhizome

Curcuminantioxidantanti-inflammatory

Protects all organs

AntacidBandages – speed healingHeadache – in TylenolAcne- topical pasteDecongestant

CancerAlzheimer’s DiseaseParkinson’s DiseaseArthritisHeart Disease and StrokeSkinFat busterEtc.

How much?Indians eat 1 tsp/day in 3 meals

YellowAmerican cheeseMustardButter and margarineChicken brothBread-and-butter picklesYellow cakePopcorn

Best if cookedstir fryrice dishesvegetables

Careful – stains counters, clothes

GingerThe best for nausea

Motion sicknesMorning sicknessChemotherapyAnesthesia

50% grownIn India

rhizome

Queen Elizabeth Igave to dinnerguests

German tradition

GingersnapsKimchiJamaican jerkCurriesGinger aleGinger tea