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 fistula khoun" are associated with the Lao New Year. People use the flowers as offerings at the temple and also hang them in their homes for the New Year in belief that the flowers will bring happiness and good luck to the households. Being so conspicuous and widely planted, this tree has a number of common names. In English, it is known as the golden shower, purging cassia, Indian laburnum or golden shower cassia. It is known in Spanish-speaking countries as "caña fistula". Names from its native range and surrounding regions include: (2008): Kerala Symbols Cassia fistula Cassia fistula, known as