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 javanica is used medicinally as a substitute to "Cassia fistula" for treating constipation, colic, chlorosis and urinary disorders. Its leaves are effective against herpes simplex and the bark of "C. javanica" is one of the ingredients in ayurvedic and other traditional medicine antidiabetic formulations. "C. javanica" yields a lightweight to heavy hardwood that is used for general construction, furniture and cabinet making. The bark of "C. javanica" is used for tanning in the leather processing industry. Cassia javanica Cassia javanica, also known as Java cassia, pink shower, apple blossom tree and rainbow shower tree (), is a species of tree in