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Allspice berries derive from a tropical member of the myrtle family. It seems as though this tree couldn't quite make up its mind as to how it wanted to smell and so combined a bit of Clove with a bit of Cinnamon and a touch of Pepper. The combination works very well and Allspice smells beautifully spicy, yet less overpowering than either Clove or Cinnamon.

In its native Caribbean and South American homelands, Allspice leaves and berries have long been used as a kitchen spice and herbal remedy. It was the first spice that was ever brought back to Europe from the New World. It soon gained popularity in the Old World too, and not just as a spice. Up until the last century it was official in the European pharmacopoeias. Herbal medicine rarely uses it now, but aromatherapy is bringing it back to public awareness.

Allspice is used for indigestion, intestinal gas, abdominal pain, heavy menstrual periods, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, colds, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. It is also used for emptying the bowels.

Magical:
Allspice can be used to break spells and protect against evil influences. It can help break bad habits or inertia and generally boosts willpower, courage and energy. It may help clear energy blockages and can be used to potentate any work of magic. It stimulates the base chakra and can be used in sex magic. It can also be used in healing rituals and for money spells.

Prized by Indian, Scandinavian, and Middle Eastern cooks, cardamom has a sweet, warm taste and an exotic floral aroma. Its use spans the culinary spectrum -- from beverages and delicate desserts to meats and curries. Use in hot beverages, for a

Middle Eastern flair in stews, rice pilaf and other savory entrees, and in Indian dishes like daal and palak paneer. Whole pods can also be chewed after spicy meals to cleanse the breath. Our organic, cardamom pods are kosher certified and non-irradiated.

Great for flavoring mulled cider or wine!

The green pods of the Cardamom plant, a relative of ginger, are packed with tiny black seeds that exude an intense and very distinctive aroma. Indian cookery has long incorporated these seeds in numerous dishes. It is an ingredient of the famous spiced Indian tea known as chai, which is rumoured to have aphrodisiac properties. In Turkey and Greece the seeds are sometimes baked into bread or added to coffee (allegedly in order to counteract the anaphrodisiac effects of coffee). Along with Fennel seeds they are often chewed to sweeten the breath. In India and Arab countries, Cardamom is most valued for its aphrodisiac properties - it is the most frequently mentioned spice in the stories of the Arabian Nights and in Greek mythology Medea and her daughters are said to have used it in their love charms and potions. Its aroma is stimulating, warming and invigorating.

Medicinal:
Medical herbalism does not make much use of Cardamom these days, but it can be helpful to remember that this common spice has excellent carminative properties, which will quickly soothe griping pains of flatulent colic and dyspepsia. Ayurveda also recommends them in cases of painful urination.

Magical:
Cardamom is used in love and sex magic. It may be used in love philtres and amulets to attract a lover. The scent is complex and sensual. It stimulates and arouses the base chakra. As an ingredient of incense it may bring clarity to a situation where selfishness destroys love, or the mind is confused and the heart torn between two lovers.

The inner seeds are dark, crunchy and a little sticky. If you like to grind your own spices, purchasing the inner seeds will save you the painstaking step of deseeding the pods

Used in a similar manner as the pods!.

These seeds have a strong, pungent aroma and a flowery, eucalyptic flavor and pair well with cloves, ginger, anise, and fennel.
Grind before adding to curries, hamburgers, and meatloaf. Sprinkle ground seeds on baked apples and rice pudding.

It is hard to imagine how something as ordinary as Pepper could have been such a highly prized commodity just a few hundred years ago. European's voracious taste for exotic spices inspired the search for a sea route to the East, which, as far as the participants were concerned, was not just an opportunity for adventure, but often a matter of life and death, driven by the alluring promise of fantastic fortunes to be made. Not just companies, but empires were built on this insatiable appetite, wars were fought and world history made for the sake of Pepper & Co.! Yet, Pepper has been a major trade item since before the time of Christ. The Visigoths once ransacked Rome and demanded 3000 pounds of Pepper as a ransom. They must have liked the taste, for they returned two years later and from then on levied and annual Pepper tithe of 3000 pounds, which roughly amounted to the city's annual supply. Pepper was not just tasty, but alluringly exotic and like most exotic things, it was advertised as a powerful aphrodisiac. No wonder appetite for it was so insatiable.

Medicinal: In India Black Pepper is used as a stimulant for treating cholera and for convalescence after debilitating illness such as fevers, vertigo and coma. It is also used as a digestive aid for dyspepsia and flatulence. It is used for the treatment of malaria and as an alterative for arthritic diseases. Pepper invigorates warms and stimulates the whole body; however, excessive doses may be irritating to the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.

Magical: Pepper energizes any magical work. It is an herb of Mars and acts as protective in a fighting sort of way. It promotes strength and courage and may break inertia. It can be used for extra power in aphrodisiac blends for heated passion and desire. Pepper is also used in money magic.

Rosemary projects the energy of a stern, yet compassionate teacher. Although it is an herb of the sun, it is not bright and sunny. Rather, it serves as a constant reminder of our highest consciousness and conscience. Rosemary is an herb of memory and so it has become associated with all the things and people we want to keep near and dear in our hearts. It is an herb of love, though it is anything but erotic or sensuous. Instead, it is a reminder of the bond between two souls, the special spiritual tie that is so easily forgotten amidst the ups and downs of day to day life. It is also a funerary herb, thrown on the grave as a last assurance that the soul of the departed will never be forgotten. More mundanely, Rosemary helps students with their studies, or old people with their fading memories. In medieval times it was one of the most important herbs of the still room and it was extensively used in dozens of cosmetic or remedial preparations.
Rosemary is a Mediterranean herb that 'likes to be kissed by the Sea' - although it does not have to 'see' the sea, it never grows far from it in the wild. The leathery, scented leaves look more like evergreen needles than leaves. Early in spring the shrubby bushes are covered with dainty little lilac flowers, which are very popular with bees.
As a culinary herb it is one of the herbs in the 'herbes de provence' blend. It is particularly well suited for greasy meat dishes such as lamb, as the bitter, astringent flavor helps the body to digest heavy fare. It is also rich in antioxidants, which prevent such fats from turning into the cell damaging free radicals. Rosemary yields an essential oil that is commonly used in cosmetic preparations and aromatherapy.

Medicinal: Rosemary stimulates the circulation, especially to the head. It is a good aid for concentration and counteracts forgetfulness, mental fatigue, headaches and stress related conditions. It may come to the rescue in cases of fainting or general debility, but should be avoided by those who suffer high blood pressure. Rosemary is particularly useful in cases where mental stress impacts the digestive system, as its nervine properties help to relax the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. It stimulates the appetite and cleanses catarrhal conditions of the stomach. It also stimulates the liver and gallbladder. It is considered an excellent herb to lift the spirit, especially during times of grieving or when one feels trapped in permanent stress situations. It has been used in mild cases of depression and can be useful as an uplifting stimulant during convalescence. Rosemary macerated in wine used to be a favorite remedy of the old herbalists, not only to fortify the spirits, but also as a cleansing diuretic that could help to reduce edema. Externally, Rosemary has long been used as a hair rinse which is said to stimulate hair growth. Do not use during pregnancy.

Magical Rosemary has a long and intricate history as a magical herb. It is strongly protective and purifying, helping to ward off evil influences and witches and cleansing the atmosphere of bad energies. It has been used as incense to cleanse the atmosphere in sick-rooms too and can be used in healing rituals to help dispel the demons of disease. It can protect against bad dreams and all manner of evil influences. Rosemary aids the student to memorize the teachings and to concentrate on the work. It is used at funerals to keep the memory of the departed. At weddings it serves as a reminder of the timeless bond between the souls and the love that has brought the couple together. Rosemary gives vigor, strength, courage and mental clarity.