Black-eyed beans, also known as black-eyed peas, are a nutrient-dense legume celebrated for their distinctive appearance and numerous health benefits. Rich in protein, dietary fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron, potassium, and magnesium, black-eyed beans support overall health and wellness. Their high fiber content aids in digestion, promotes a healthy gut, and helps regulate blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for managing diabetes. The protein in black-eyed beans is crucial for muscle repair and growth, while their folate content supports prenatal health and reduces the risk of birth defects. Additionally, the antioxidants present in these beans help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Versatile and flavorful, black-eyed beans can be used in a variety of dishes, from soups and stews to salads and casseroles, making them a valuable and healthful addition to any diet.

Faba beans, also known as broad beans, are a nutritious legume renowned for their rich, earthy flavor and numerous health benefits. They are packed with high-quality protein, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients such as folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B1 and B6, which support overall health and wellness. The high fiber content in faba beans promotes digestive health, aids in weight management by enhancing satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels, benefiting individuals with diabetes. Their substantial protein content supports muscle growth and repair, while the iron and folate contribute to healthy red blood cell production and prevent anemia. Additionally, faba beans contain antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Versatile and hearty, faba beans can be enjoyed in various dishes such as stews, soups, salads, and purees, making them a valuable addition to a balanced diet.

Sweet lupine, derived from the Lupinus species, is a highly nutritious legume known for its mild, nutty flavor and numerous health benefits. Rich in high-quality plant-based protein, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, iron, and B vitamins, sweet lupine supports overall health and wellness. Its impressive protein content aids in muscle repair and growth, making it an excellent choice for vegetarians and athletes. The dietary fiber in sweet lupine promotes digestive health, helps regulate blood sugar levels, and enhances satiety, which can aid in weight management. Additionally, sweet lupine contains antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. This legume is also low in fat and free from gluten, making it suitable for various dietary needs. Versatile and nutritious, sweet lupine can be used in salads, soups, baked goods, and as a meat substitute, offering a healthful and delicious addition to a balanced diet.

Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a highly nutritious legume celebrated for their versatile culinary uses and numerous health benefits. Packed with protein, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients such as folate, iron, phosphorus, and magnesium, chickpeas support overall health and wellness. Their high fiber content promotes digestive health, aids in weight management by enhancing satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels, making them beneficial for individuals with diabetes. The protein in chickpeas supports muscle growth and repair, while their rich iron content helps prevent anemia and boosts energy levels. Additionally, chickpeas contain antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and reduce inflammation. Versatile in the kitchen, chickpeas can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes, including salads, soups, stews, and as the main ingredient in hummus, making them a delicious and healthful addition to a balanced diet.

including pfeffnusse, springerle and biscotti. Fresh chopped leaves are appealing in soups, stews, sauces and salads. According to Medieval herbologists, anise is an aphrodisiac, and the seeds have been found to contain estrogenic compounds. Drinks containing oil of anise remain transparent until water is added, causing the oil to “bloom” in a milky white or pale green clouds called a louche. Absinthe is the most famous anise-flavoured drink, and during the 19th century it was the favourite drink of Degas, Picasso, Van Gogh, and Wilde.

Uses: Culinary/Medicinal/Industrial
Duration: Perennial (hardy in zones 8-10) 
When to Sow: Spring
Ease of Germination: Moderate/Special Treatment Required Like wine,

thyme and leeks, bay leaf is a foundation flavour of French cuisine. Meat, fish and poultry dishes almost always have a touch. Frost-sensitive small trees; best grown in tubs that afford easy movement indoors during winter. Note: Bay seeds will not germinate if they dry out too much in storage.

Usage:
Calendula flowers Calendula tinctures, ointments, and washes are commonly used to speed the healing of burns, bruises, and cuts, as well as the minor infections they cause. Calendula cream is also used to treat hemorrhoids. Animal studies show that calendula does appear to speed wound healing, possibly by increasing blood flow to the wounded area and by helping the body produce collagen proteins, which are used to heal skin and connective tissue.

Usage:
Caraway seeds Caraway seeds and oil have properties associated with improving gastric problems, flatulence, and indigestion ,caraway plant contains fixed oil along with carbohydrate and protein. Caraway is a carminative. Carminatives are herbs that help to ameliorate gastrointestinal pain, and associated gas pain. The volatile oil of caraway may also be a useful remedy for bowel spasms

Uses: Culinary/Medicinal/Industrial 

Duration: Perennial (hardy in zones 8-10) 

When to Sow: Anytime 

Ease of Germination: Difficult 

Ground seeds are essential in Indian cuisine; featured in the best of Indian curries, biryanis, pilaus, and dhals, and an important member of the spice mixture, garam masala. Cardamom’s perfumed flavour is delicious in lassi, the famous yogurt drink of India, and in Indian spiced tea. Scandinavians are particularly fond of its liberal use in pastries. Leaves are used in curries inTrinidad. Makes an appealing houseplant with its perfumed leaves, even if it is difficult to coax into bloom

Usage:
Chamomile powder Chamomile flower Chamomile is a versatile herb medicinally that treats a plethora of common ailments. Generally, there are three categories of use – as an anti-inflammatory for the skin, as an anti-infective for many common ailments, and as an anti-spasmodic for such problems as stomach cramps and indigestion, Used in a Tea, or in Capsule form, Chamomile flowers are used internally for many common physical symptoms, including menstrual cramps, stomach cramps, indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea, fever, colds, congestion, headaches, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, stress, nervousness, and poor digestion. For babies, it is helpful with symptoms of colic and teething pain.

Uses: Chili peppers can be eaten raw or cooked. Hot chilis are used chopped and raw in salads or can be cooked, for example in stir-fried dishes. In many countries they are processed into spicy sauces or hot salsas. Chili peppers are preserved by drying and then they are often grounded to chili powders, either pure or mixed with other spices. Other ways of preservation include pickling and freezing.

The commercial Cinnamon bark is the dried inner bark of the shoots. 
Cinnamon has a fragrant perfume, taste aromatic and sweet; when distilled it only gives a very small quantity of oil, with a delicious flavour. 

Constituents:0 to 10 per cent of volatile oil, tannin, mucilage and suga. 
Uses: Carminative, astringent, stimulant, antiseptic; more powerful as a local than as a general stimulant; is prescribed in powder and infusion but usually combined with other medicines. It stops vomiting, relieves flatulence, and given with chalk and astringents is useful for diarrhoea and haemorrhage of the womb. 

Clove trees absorb an enormous amount of moisture, and if placed near water their weight is visibly increased after a few hours; dishonest dealers often make use of this knowledge in their dealings, and the powdered stems are often sold as pure powdered Cloves. 

Constituents:    Volatile oil, gallotannic acid; two crystalline principles – Caryophyllin, which is odourless and appears to be a phylosterol, Eugenin; gum, resin, fibre. 
Uses:The most stimulating and carminative of all aromatics; given in powder or infusion for nausea emesis, flatulence, languid indigestion and dyspepsia, and used chiefly to assist the action of other medicines. The medicinal properties reside in the volatile oil. The oil must be kept in dark bottles in a cool place. If distilled with water, salt must be added to raise the temperature of ebullition and the same Cloves must be distilled over and over again to get their full essence. 
The oil is frequently adulterated with fixed oil and oil of Pimento and Copaiba. As a local irritant it stimulates peristalsis. It is a strong germicide, a powerful antiseptic, a feeble local anaesthetic applied to decayed teeth, and has been used with success as a stimulating expectorant in phthisis and bronchial troubles. Fresh infusion of Cloves contains astringent matter as well as the volatile oil. The infusion and Clove water are good vehicles for alkalies and aromatics. 

Usage:
Coriander The seeds were chewed as a breath freshene

Uses: Culinary/Industrial
Duration: Annual
When to Sow: Spring Ease of Germination: Easy
Seeds are important in many international cuisines, including those of India and Mexico. Flavor resembles caraway but is hotter. Used in soups, cake, bread, cheese, and is a standard ingredient of commercial curry powders. Requires a long warm growing season; should be started indoors in colder climates.