| ric | | | | hot-climate plant, grows to a height of 30-45 cm and |
| Scientific name:Curcuma longa L. | | | | produces a stem with many branches bearing long. |
| Vernacular name:Khamin | | | | Finely divided, deep green leaves and small flowers, |
| Turmeric is used for its flavour and atteracive golden | | | | white or rose colour, borne in umbels. The smell of |
| colour. A robust herbaceous perennial grows to a | | | | cumin is quite pronounced, strong and heavy with acrid |
| height of 1 metre with a short stem and tufted leaves. | | | | or warm depths. Cumin seeds taste slightly bitter, |
| Turmeric is usually propagated from fingers or small | | | | sharp and warm, and their pungent flavour persists for |
| sections of rhizome. The rhizomes grow best in a hot, | | | | some time. Cumin is generally dry roasted before use |
| moist climate. Turmeric smells peppery and fresh with | | | | to bring out its flavour. It is also found in pickles, ground |
| a hint of oranges and ginger. It tastes pungent, bitter | | | | cumin is frequently added to minced meat dishes and |
| and musky. Turmeric is also an important flavouring for | | | | to vegetables. Cumin seeds are used as a remedy for |
| many Thai dishes, especially in curry powder. Turmeric | | | | diarrhea flatulence and indigestion. |
| is used commercially in sauces and in processed food. | | | | Mint |
| It is often added to mustard blends. Turmeric is taken | | | | Scientific name:Mentha cordifolia Opiz ex Fresen |
| as a tonic and as a remedy for liver problems. The | | | | Bernacular name:Saranae |
| juice of the raw rhizomes added to ointments is | | | | Saranae belongs to the genus Mentha which consists |
| applied to treat skin diseases. Turmeric is a traditional | | | | of about 40 species of aromatic perennial herbs |
| textile dye. In paste form it is applied as a beauty | | | | distributed mostly in the northern hemisphere. In |
| mask. | | | | Thailand, Mentha, cordifolia are reported to grow |
| Cumin | | | | naturally. They have erect, square, branching stems, |
| Scientific name:Cuminum cyminum L. | | | | aromatic foliage, and flowers in leaf-axils. Their teas |
| Vernacular name:Yira | | | | are popular a cool and refreshing taste. They flavour |
| Cumin gives a distinctive warm flavour to an | | | | confectionery, drinks, cigarettes, toothpastes, and |
| enormous range of savoury dishes. The seeds are | | | | medicines. Mints are stimulant, aid digestion and reduce |
| oval and 5-6 mm long with longitudinal ridges and a | | | | flatulence. It is included in ointments for cold remedies, |
| few little bristles. They are usually light brown. But may | | | | and is given for headaches and other aches and pains. |
| be greenish or grayish. Cumin is one of the main | | | | Common Basil, Sweet Basil |
| constituents of curry powders. It is an annual and a | | | | Scientific name:Ocimum basilicum L. |