Native to the Mediterranean, saffron is a orange-yellow spice commonly used as both a food additive and as a medicinal treatment. Traditionally, saffron has been used to alleviate menstruation discomfort, mood problems and muscle spasms. More research is needed, however, to support these purported medicinal benefits.

Cilantro is a lacy-leafed herb used to season foods and is popular in Tex-Mex dishes in particular. Cilantro resembles parsley but has a much more pungent odor and taste. Its seeds are known as coriander, and they impart a different flavor than cilantro leaves and aren't used to season the same types of dishes.

Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans) is a Salvia species used in cooking, baking and beverages. When crushed, the leaves have a tangy fragrance and flavor of pineapple. The bright, red flowers are also edible and taste like a combination of citrus and mint.

With a rich green hue and delicate aromatic flavor, fresh basil adds instant interest to a range of healthful recipes. It's also virtually calorie-free -- a quarter-cup serving of chopped basil contains just two calories -- and low in sodium.

Nutmeg is a spice used in cooking. This spice is also abused by teenagers or adults who want to get high. Several teaspoons to 2 tbsp. of nutmeg can produce a high, notes Health Services at Columbia University. Eating this spice to get high can cause a wide range of serious side effects.

Lemongrass is an herb that was originally grown in India and Sri Lanka. It has a distinctive scent and taste of lemon, from which it gets its name. Both the plant and its extract have been used in cooking and flavoring, as well as for medicinal purposes, for centuries.

Thyme leaves give your foods a minty and tealike flavor.You can use fresh or dried thyme to achieve this effect, but you’ll need to use different amounts of fresh versus dried thyme. You also add thyme to your dishes at different times depending on which form you use.

Curry powder is a blend of several spices that are used to mimic the flavors of Indian cuisine. The most common spices included in curry powder are turmeric, coriander, cumin and fenugreek. Ginger, garlic and black pepper are also included in some curry powder blends.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, can turn eating hot or spicy foods into a potentially painful experiment. Ginger, a root herb that may be used as a seasoning or as an herbal remedy for nausea or indigestion, lends warmth and zest to foods and beverages.

Whether you are a fan of sesame candy such as the creamy halvah and sweet sesame brittle, or merely enjoy a sprinkle of seeds on your bagels, sesame seeds can be nutritionally significant if you eat a lot of them.

Diverticulitis occurs when one or more diverticula, which are small, bulging pouches in your digestive tract, become inflamed or infected and protrude your intestinal wall.

If you develop allergy symptoms every time you eat basil pesto, you are most likely allergic to one of the ingredients, not the basil. Basil is not a common food allergen and should not cause an allergic reaction. Basil pesto can be made various ways and may contain various ingredients.