Spice spices. Spices were among the most demanded and expensive products available in Europe in the Middle Ages, the most common being black pepper, cinnamon (and the cheaper alternative cassia), cumin, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Given medieval medicine's main theory of humorism, spices and herbs were indispensable to balance "humors" in food, a daily basis for good health at a time of recurrent pandemics. In addition to being desired by those using medieval medicine, the European elite also craved spices in the Middle Ages. An example of the European aristocracy's demand for spice comes from the King of Aragon, who invested
Cassia marksiana Cassia marksiana Cassia marksiana, Marks cassia, is an Australian rainforest tree growing in far north eastern New South Wales and in south eastern Queensland. The common name is in honour of Dr. C. F. Marks, an early botanical collector. Other common names include cigar cassia, brush cassia, and native laburnum. The Brunswick River is considered the southernmost point of natural distribution. Its habitat is seaside and lowland subtropical rainforest, which is almost completely destroyed, with only small remnant patches remaining. Less than 100 trees are known to exist in the wild in some 20 locations. Consequently, it is listed as