Spices from antiquity to modern times: ways to use them outside the kitchen (21 photos)

It's no secret that spices in most cultures are used to add special authentic flavors to dishes. It is from them that, most often, one can determine which country is characterized by a particular cuisine.





Throughout history, they have been a valuable commodity, playing an important role in historical events, including wars and truces between empires. They were also used as currency.



But where else were spices used at different times outside the kitchen?





Mummification and embalming



No one understood this process like the ancient Egyptians. After the brains were removed and the internal organs were removed, the bodies were cleansed with a mixture of spices.

For example, myrrh was used as protection against insects so that they would not climb into an empty body. Cinnamon had antifungal and antiviral effects. And cumin acted as an addition to antiseptics that prevented decomposition.



One of the most aromatic alcoholic drinks is gin. Many people have probably noticed that all distilleries produce this product differently. But most often they still contain coriander, cardamom, anise, the same cinnamon or saffron.

Spicy tinctures



Gin connoisseurs are able to recognize the manufacturer by the predominant spice in the taste.



But no less popular is spiced rum, which contains vanilla, cloves, nutmeg or ginger.

Remedies for insomnia



Nutmeg has long been studied for its sleep-improving properties. Despite the fact that this theory has not been fully proven, lovers of traditional medicine are convinced that this spice will help you fall asleep soundly.



True, it is better not to overdo it, since in large doses it can cause hallucinations. Therefore, if you cannot calculate the dosage, it is better to replace nutmeg with cinnamon.

Botanical colognes



Despite the fact that today you won’t surprise anyone with soap and perfume, people have always wanted to smell delicious. Especially before, because bad odors were associated with diseases entering the body through the nose.



That is why in ancient practices, in addition to alcohol, nutmeg, cinnamon, pepper, cloves and myrrh were used to make perfume and cologne. It was their smell, combined with flowers and herbs, that played a key role in the development of modern perfume.

Scented sachets



There are people who advocate everything natural. Therefore, they try to avoid using chemicals during washing. Then spice bags can come to the rescue.



Of course, they won’t replace air conditioning, but they can give things a scent. To do this, you just need to place the same cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg mixed with lavender, rose petals or any other dried flowers in a fabric bag.

Homemade paint



Mixing a brightly colored spice with water produces a paint suitable for coloring Easter eggs or paintings with a watercolor effect.



However, it can also be added to white tempera paint, which will make the color more durable. By the way, this is a great way to teach children to distinguish colors and distinguish spices by smell.



Agree, this could lead to a rather interesting experiment that does not require large expenses.

Repelling "pests"



Gardeners are well aware of how moles and other small wild animals can be a nuisance. In order to avoid attacks, the easiest way is to use black pepper or chili, which is poured onto the soil around.



This will not only scare away living creatures, but will also protect the soil from unwanted bacteria.

Repellents



Surely many have encountered a sudden invasion of ants. It turns out that solving the problem of their appearance is quite simple. It is enough to sprinkle cinnamon powder in the places where they live to make them disappear.

And cinnamon oil will help reduce the activity of bed bugs. Just add it to the water and sprinkle the liquid on the bed.



By the way, other insects, such as mosquitoes, spiders and midges, also do not like cinnamon. This spice can also cause irritation in mice.



These are not all examples where you can use spices outside the kitchen. However, from this it is clear that they played an important role in the history of mankind and had a price akin to currency. They were used effectively in the past and, for sure, they will find no less effective use in modern times.