The seeds of the mustard plant have enjoyed a close connection with human civilizations since time immemorial. The Ancient Greeks and Romans would regularly use them for cooking, and they have been a staple in Indian cuisine for centuries. These robust, spicy-smelling seeds were even mentioned in the New Testament of the Bible in the “Parable of the Mustard Seed,” in which Jesus emphasized that the Kingdom of Heaven could grow from humble beginnings. The…
Flax, also called linseed, is a flowering plant native to the temperate and subtropical regions of the world. It is one of mankind’s oldest cultivated crops, and its bast fibers are commonly used to produce the soft and natural textile linen, from which a large number of environmentally-friendly garments are made. The seeds of the plant, though usually processed to make linseed oil, are also nutritious foods in their own right and contain many health…
Few plants have been as revered throughout recorded history as hemp. This green herbaceous plant, which is a high-growing variety of Cannabis sativa, has been cultivated for centuries to make durable clothing fibers, nutritious oils, building material, and even paper. Traditional medicine, particularly ancient Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, also prized the plant for its significant medicinal properties. Since hemp does not contain large amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the mind-altering ingredient found in regular marijuana, hemp…
Caraway is a biennial plant that is native to Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. It bears crescent-shaped brown seeds (which are technically fruits!) that possess a warm and peppery aroma, and are often used in rye bread, stews, potato dishes, soups, and liqueurs. These seeds have been treasured for centuries for their medicinal properties, and are becoming popular in the West as a dietary supplement due to their numerous health benefits. List of Health Benefits…
Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) is a plant native to the Amazon rainforest in Peru. It is characterized by its star-shaped green leaves, towering height (it can often reach two meters or higher), white flowers, and edible seeds. These seeds, which look like brown nuts and are also called sacha peanuts, Inca peanuts, or mountain peanuts, have been cultivated by Peru’s indigenous population for centuries, although they are just as likely to be used in oil…
