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Allspice comes from the dried, green berries of Pimenta dioica, a central American tree of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). It is also known as pimento; however, the red pimentos that are stuffed into green olives are actually a variety of sweet chile pepper (Capsicum annuum) that belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). The name "allspice" refers to the flavor of the berries, which resemble a combination of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.

Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are native to the Spice Islands of the East Indies and belong to the same family as allspice, the Myrtaceae. In fact, they belong to the same genus as the Australian brush cherry (S. paniculatum), a commonly cultivated small tree or shrub in southern California. Also in this genus is the rose apple (S. jambos), a popular West Indian fruit that is native to southeast Asia. Unlike cinnamon and nutmeg, the clove spice comes from dried, unopened flower buds. Clove oil is extracted from the buds, stems and leaves, and is used in the perfume and soap industries and as a naturopathic, temporary remedy for tooth aches. Up to 80-95 percent of clove oil contains eugenol, a phenolic essential oil. Useful essential oils from the myrtle family may be phenolic or terpene derivatives, depending on the species.

Clove oil has antibacterial and painkilling (anesthetic) properties. When applied directly to the gums, it will numb the pain of toothache. A mouthwash containing clove oil has been shown to be effective in treating gingivitis.

Bay rum is obtained from the distillation of the leaves of Pimenta racemosa, a tree native to the West Indies. The bay rum tree belongs to the same genus as allspice, both members of the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). It contains a phenolic essential oil used in lotions and colognes. The fragrant oil superficially resembles clove oil, another tree in the myrtle family. The name bay "rum" comes from the former practice of distilling bay in rum and water. It is NOT consumed internally as in the highly intoxicating sugar cane beverage known as rum.

Like cloves, the tasty "spice" called capers (Capparis spinosa) also comes from unopened flower buds. The caper plant is a low, trailing shrub in the caper family (Capparaceae) native to the Mediterranean region. Also known as Capparidaceae, the caper family is a small plant family closely related to the mustard family (Brassicaceae). It includes an interesting native southern California shrub called bladderpod (Isomeris arborea). Capers are used mainly for flavoring pickles, relishes and sauces. Their salty flavor truly enhances fish and pasta dishes.

True cinnamon comes from the bark of the cinnamon tree (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), a member of the Laurel Family (Lauraceae). Another species of Cinnamomum (C. camphora) is the source of camphor oil, a monoterpene essential oil distilled from the twigs, leaves and wood. Camphor oil is used in antiseptics and in pain-relieving creams, gels and lotions. Along with menthol, it is the active ingredient in aromatic analgesic ointments for nasal decongestion and muscular aches and pains.

There are other species of cinnamon native to tropical Asia. The bark of Chinese cinnamon or cassia (Cinnamomum aromaticum) has been shown to lower blood glucose levels in diabetics. Cassia sticks can easily be distinguished from Ceylon cinnamon "quills." Cinnamon sticks have many thin layers and can easily be made into powdwer using a coffee grinder or spice grinder. Cassia sticks are extremely hard, and are usually made of one thick layer that can break an electric spice or coffee grinder without first breaking them into very small pieces.

Other important fruit and herbal trees in the laurel family include avocado (Persea americana), sassafras (Sassafras albidum), European bay (Laurus nobilis), and California bay or Oregon myrtle (Umbellularia californica). Nutmeg spice comes from the dried endosperm inside the seed of the nutmeg tree (Myristica fragrans), a member of the myristica family (Myristicaceae). California nutmeg (Torreya californica), a native tree in the Sierra Nevada, is actually a gymnosperm that belongs to the yew family (Taxaceae). Its large seeds, with a fleshy green outer layer, superficially resemble those of the true nutmeg tree.

Sassafras oil is an important flavoring obtained from distillation of the bark on the roots of Sassafras albidum, a large tree native to the deciduous forest biome of the eastern United States. This tree is unmistakable with its large, three-lobed leaves that turn golden yellow during the fall months. Sassafras is widely used for flavoring tobacco, carbonated beverages, medicines, soaps, perfumes, dentrifices and sassafras tea. Although sassafras has also been used to flavor root beer, the primary flavorings used in the original recipes for old-fashioned root beer come from an infusion of the roots, bark and leaves of sarsaparilla, ginger and wintergreen. Sarsaparilla comes from the roots of Smilax species, such as S. offinicalis (Liliaceae), while ginger comes from the rhizome of Zingiber officinalis (Zingiberaceae). Oil of wintergren is derived synthetically and from the distillation of leaves from Gaultheria procumbens (Ericaceae). Like many other beverages sold today, most of the popular root beers contain synthetic flavorings.

A recent PBS special (December 2021) about the amazing Forbidden City of Beijing, China mentions an endemic Chinese tree in the lauel family called "nanmu" (Phoebe zhennan). Precious nanmu wood comes from trees of this species. The trees grow straight and tall, up to 100 ft. or more. The logs were used for columns (pillars) in the remarkable Forbidden City.

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is shrub in the witch-hazel family (Hamamelidaceae) native to the eastern United States. The witch hazel of commerce is an aromatic mixture of tannin and a phenolic essential oil (hamamelitannin) obtained from the distillation of the leaves, bark and twigs of this interesting shrub. Liquidambar or sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua), a commonly cultivated deciduous tree with beautiful autumn foliage, also belongs to this family. The common name "witch hazel" is derived from the custom of using its branches as divining rods to reveal hidden underground water, a practice known as water witching. This shrub also has the curious adaptation of forcibly ejecting its shiny black seeds (two seeds per capsule) when the seed capsules are ripe. Witch hazel is used medicinally as a soothing, topical astringent. One of its best-known uses is in medicated pads for the relief of hemorrhoids. For this purpose it is unsurpassed by any naturopathic remedy.

Some anal wipes, such as Tucks® are cotton patches soaked in witch hazel. They provide a soothing, cleanser for hemorrhoidal tissue and good general hygiene. If you are out of Tucks® and own a shotgun, see the following suggestion. Patches for the larger 12 gauge shotgun are preferable.

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