SPICES FROM OVERSEAS. (What Columbus and Magellan sought across the seven seas).

Oriental spices have been appreciated by Europeans since ancient times. Meat without pepper had no flavor, and wine without cloves turned sour. Arab traders brought spices to Europe but did not reveal the secret of where they grew. Talkers had their tongues cut out. Magic spices grew somewhere on the islands, in the waters of the ocean that washed the shores of mysterious India and China. Chinese herbalists and alchemists made extracts and ointments from spicy plants and fruits. These ointments and tinctures were used to treat kings!
For a long time, merchants used the route through Byzantium to deliver aromatic cargoes from Asia to Europe. But in 1453 the Ottomans captured Constantinople and imposed huge duties on all transit cargoes. The price of oriental spices in Europe soared; they were worth more than gold!
The monarchs of the maritime powers of Portugal and Spain realized that whoever had a monopoly on spices would own the world! They began to equip expeditions and send adventurers in search of the precious islands. In their search for these islands, daredevils such as Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Magellan stumbled upon uncharted islands and continents in the ocean.

The first Europeans to find a sea route to the Spice Islands were the Portuguese, the most daring navigators in human history. Legend has it that they were trying to take tree cuttings back to their homeland. The chief of a tribe on one of the Spice Islands they discovered smiled as the aliens dug up young saplings and carried them off: “You can take our trees. But you will not take our rain! The healing power of fruits and plants is that they grow where the moisture from the warm sea shrouds the islands in mist, turning them into natural greenhouses.
However, the Europeans kept trying and gradually succeeded. As a result, spices and condiments became available everywhere. The paradox is that the availability of spices did not increase people’s knowledge of how to use them. For the same reason, many of the secrets of the culinary masters of the Middle Ages were lost.

All spices are plant-based and have a stable flavor and aroma. Different parts of the plant are used: leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruits, seeds, and bark. Spices and seasonings should not be confused with condiments such as salt, sugar, vinegar, and other non-vegetable additives. Spices and seasonings were not created by nature just to add flavor to food. And not just to extend the shelf life of food. Spices improve digestion. Many herbs are used to normalize blood pressure. Garlic, fennel, and oregano boost the immune system. Saffron, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, and black pepper help relieve pain.

THE SECRETS OF THE SPECIES.

1. Cinnamon – improves metabolism and lowers blood sugar and cholesterol. Cinnamon is used for headaches, joint pain, and neurotic disorders. Studies have shown that this spice reduces the risk of cancer.
   Always use cinnamon in your baking: bread, rolls, muffins, and cheesecake will not only get an incomparable aroma and taste. Nature gives you a strong immunity against all diseases.
2. Ginger – has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Improves digestion, most effective in the treatment and prevention of all colds.
   This magical root should be your constant friend. Excellent with any fruit or vegetable. The thinnest slice of ginger is the most unique aperitif for alcohol. Read more about the secrets of ginger below.
3. Turmeric – is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Improves cardiovascular and brain function, improves mood. Reduces the risk of developing tumors.
   When you wake up in the morning, drink a glass of warm water and add this potion to the tip of a knife. After a few days of constant use of this miracle drink, all gastrointestinal problems will disappear and the skin of the face, which is exposed to changes in the weather, will become incredibly smooth and fresh.
4. Fennel – improves metabolism and digestion. It supports the musculoskeletal system and prevents the formation of cancerous cells. Fennel is also beneficial for women’s health as it regulates the menstrual cycle due to its natural estrogen content.
   Recipe: Mix liquid honey, lemon juice, crushed garlic and fennel. The proportions are arbitrary, according to taste. Drink one teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach. After half an hour you can go back to your normal diet. After one or two cycles, your periods will return and you will be able to give birth at fifty without any risk.
5. Coriander – normalizes the hormonal background and influences the thyroid gland. It improves digestion and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
6. Parsley – has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. It is used to treat kidney, liver, and gastrointestinal disorders and to strengthen teeth and gums. It is an excellent healer of wounds and cuts. Parsley regulates the production of hormones, useful for both male and female health.
   Parsley should be chopped for sandwiches and added fresh to salads. Don’t put it in a pan on the fire. These fire-sensitive herbs lose their properties instantly in a boiling brew.
7. Garlic – has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties and is used as a natural antibiotic. It is also bactericidal and has anti-parasitic properties. It improves the cardiovascular system and lowers blood cholesterol.
   Garlic is a magic antibiotic! Take garlic with you when you go camping. In the most critical extreme situations, if you are dying of thirst, for example in the desert, after seeing a lake with tadpoles swimming in it… – crush a few cloves of garlic in a container of water and in a few minutes you will be able to drink the liquid, which will soak through the fabric of your clothes. This will save you from dehydration.
8. Thyme – has analgesic, disinfectant, and antithetic properties. The herb is used as an expectorant for persistent coughs and to relieve pain in rheumatism, sciatica, and other diseases of the muscles and joints. Helps with neurological disorders.
9. Tarhun – Used as an antithetic. Used in the treatment of scurvy.
10. Saffron – Has a positive effect on the nervous system, helps fight depression, and improves mood. Saffron promotes the formation of hemoglobin, i.e. it improves the quality of your blood. It inhibits the growth and division of cancer cells and prevents the formation of tumors.

APHRODISIACS FOR MEN.
Ginger – increases male virility, prolongs sexual intercourse, and improves blood circulation to the genitals.
If you invite a girl to play intimate games, do not forget to chew a piece of ginger after each sip of vodka or whisky. The girl will be delighted with the result.
Majoran – relaxes the body and increases libido.
Saffron, coriander, and pepper – to improve circulation and increase sensitivity.
Of course, before using spices for medicinal purposes, it is worth consulting a doctor and familiarising yourself with the contraindications. The benefits and harms of spices depend on the dosage and method of use.