MEDICAL USE OF SPICES*

Traditional Spices
	Spice	Medical Properties/Indications
Hot, Pungent, Exotic	Ajowan	expectorant, anti-flatulent
	Allspice	anti-emetic, purgative
	Asafetida	anti-helminthic, anti-tussive
	Capsicum peppers	analgesic, counter-irritant, expectorant
	Cinnamon, Cassia	antiseptic, anti-diarrhea
	Clove	topical anesthetic, anti-dyspeptic
	Coriander	anti-spasmodic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory
	Cumin	anti-microbial, vermifuge, diuretic
	Curry leaves	anti-emetic
	Galangal	expectorant, anti-bacterial
	Ginger	for colds, anti-emetic, anti-rheumatic
	Nutmeg, Mace	astringent, hallucinogen
	Peppercorns	expectorant, anti-microbial
	Saffron	anti-rheumatic, for neuralgia
	Turmeric	anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer
	Wasabi	expectorant, for sinusitis
	Zedoary	expectorant, diuretic
Hot, Pungent, Non-Exotic	Chive	antispetic, diuretic
	Garlic	anti-microbial, anti-hypercholesterolemic, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive
	Horseradish	anti-microbial, expectorant, purgative
	Mustards	counter-irritant, emetic, purgative
	Onion, Shallot	for colds, expectorant, anti-cancer, asthma
	Paprika	colorant, source of ascorbic acid
Warm, Fragrant, Exotic	Aniseed	anti-spasmodic, expectorant, sedative
	Bergamot	antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, sedative
	Camphor	antiseptic, cardiostmulant, anti-spasmodic
	Caraway	diuretic, anti-spasmodic, galactogogue
	Cardamom	antiseptic
	Cilantro	antibacterial, anti-inflammatory
	Cubeb	antiseptic, diuretic, anti-asthma
	Fennel	anti-spasmodic, diuretic
	Fenugreek	anti-diabetes, anti-hypercholesterolemia
	Lemon Grass	fever, insect bites
	Licorice	anti-spasmodic, anti-tussive, peptic ulcer
	Nigella	diuretic, anti-helminthic, purgative
	Sesame seed	diuretic, galactogogue, demulcent
	Star anise	antiseptic, anti-rheumatic
	Vanilla	anti-spasmodic, febrifuge
Savory Herbs
	Spice	Medical Properties/Indications
	Basil	for colds, anti-diarrhea, kidney disease
	Bay (Laurel)	embrocation, anti-rheumatic
	Caper	diuretic, expectorant, astringent
	Celery	diuretic, emmenagogue
	Chervil	diuretic, expectorant, tonic
	Cilantro (Chinese Parsley)	diuretic, sedative
	Dill ("gripe water")	anti-flatulent, anti-colic, galactogogue
	Marjoram	indigestion, colic
	Mint	expectorant, for colds, local anesthesia, anti-spasm
	Oregano	anti-tussive, anti-rheumatic, vermifuge
		diuretic, deodorizer
	Poppy seed	sedative, anti-spasmodic
	Rosemary	anti-cancer
	Sage	antiseptic, gastroenteritis, sedative
	Savory	antispasmodic, sedative, vermifuge, diuretic
	Tarragon	diuretic, vermifuge, emmenagogue
	Thyme	expectorant, antiseptic
Drinks
	Spice	Medical Properties/Indications
	Carob	astringent, purgative, diuretic
	Chocolate	sedative, anti-oxidant, diuretic
	Coffee	stimulant, diuretic, bronchodilator
	Cola	anti-emetic, astringent
	Tea	anti-oxidant, source of theophylline
	Juniper (gin)	diuretic, sudorific, antiseptic, anti-rheumatic
	Quinine (tonic water)	febrifuge, anti-arrhythmic, astringent
Other
	Spice	Medical Properties/Indications
	Annatto	colorant, astringent, analgesic
	Eucalyptus	antiseptic, febrifuge, for colds, expectorant
		astringent, sedative, diuretic, fumigant
	Myrrh	anti-spasmodic, expectorant, antimicrobial
	Nard (e.g. spikenard)	emetic, diuretic
	Sandalwood	antiseptic, sudorific
	Sugar	cholagogue, demulcent
	Sumac	anti-diarrhea, anti-spasmodic, febrifuge
	Tamarind	antiseptic, cholagogue, laxative, antipyretic
* In addition to digestive, stomactic, and carminative actions, spices and herbs are used as flavors and aphrodisiacs. They are believed to have tonic and stimulatory effects and to provide pleasure-giving sensory input.