African Herbs and Spices

By Marilyn Zink

Welcome armchair herb travelers, to the herbs and spices of deep dark Africa. I'm going on a lion hunt, I'm not afraid - no wait, make that, 'I'm going on a herb hunt, I'm not afraid...'

On this trip we'll look at tamarind, nutmeg, mace and anise.

Tamarind (tamarindus indica)

Tamarind is the only important spice of African origin. Today, it is a much-valued food ingredient in many Asian or Latin American recipes. The sour and fruity taste of tamarind merges well with the heat of chiles and gives many African and South Indian dishes their hot and sour character, and their dark colour. In India, tamarind is mostly combined with meat or legumes (lentils, chick peas or beans). The pulp is sold dry and must be soaked before usage. Only the water is then added to the food. Alternatively (and more omfortably), tamarind extract may be used with the same effect.

Although only a small minority of Western consumers knows tamarind today, there is still one product containing tamarind that has gained some importance in international cuisine: Worcester sauce.

Uses

Tamarind is considered a mild laxative and digestive. It is used to treat bronchial disorders and gargling with tamarind water is recommended for a sore throat. It is antiseptic, used in eye-baths and for the treatment of ulcers. Being highly acidic, it is a refrigerant (cooling in the heat) and febrifuge (for fighting fevers). The Ananga Ranga suggests consuming tamarind for enhancing a woman's sexual enjoyment.

Rooibos

Rooibos is a Dutch term for 'red bush,' a South African indigenous herb with a bark that makes a delicious tea. It has no caffeine or tannins and contains important minerals such as potassium, iron, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium and a powerful antioxidant from an enzyme known as Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD).

Health Uses

In South Africa Rooibos has been used to treat allergies such as hay fever, asthma and eczema very effectively. It is also used to treat irritated skin. Rooibos is brewed and placed directly on infected areas.
Rooibos is a great thirst quencher which makes it a great drink for active people, including children. The tea is anti-spasmodic which helps with stomach cramping and colic in children.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

Fenugreek is one of the essential herbs used by Africans in an Ethiopian spice mixture known as Berberé (or Berbere) the flavoring foundation of Ethiopian cuisine. Berberé is made from a cupboard-full of herbs and spices, fresh-ground, pan-roasted and stored until needed. The combination of fenugreek and red pepper is essential to berberé; Berberé is sometimes made as a dry spice mix, and is sometimes made with oil or water to form a paste.

Health Uses

Fenugreek made as a decoction can be taken for bronchitis or fevers and gargled for sore throat. Fenugreek has at times been and sometimes still is, considered an aphrodisiac. Make a poultice of pulverized seeds for gouty pains, neuralgia, sciatica, swollen glands, wounds, tumors, sores and skin irritations.

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Herbs and Spices of the World: Exotic Middle East
Herbs and Spices of the World: China