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 leptophylla Cassia leptophylla Cassia leptophylla is a tropical tree species in the genus "Cassia", which is indigenous to Brazil. It is named gold medallion tree and has yellow flowers that bloom intermittently throughout the year, spawning seedpods that are square in cross section and rattle festively. Recognized by its thin green foliage with glossy green pinnate leaflets. The fruit is a long thin seedpod with four sides. "Cassia leptophylla" is native to southeastern Brazil. This tree does not have many uses, except as a decorative tree or as a laxative, something common to the "Cassia" genus. Seed is poisonous if ingested.