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
80 nutrientsmanganesefiberironcalcium
Cinnamaldehydeessential oil
Food preservativeantimicrobialantifungal
Memory lossgum before testmore focusfaster reflexesbetter scores
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
GingersnapsKimchiJamaican jerkCurriesGinger aleGinger tea