20 Astounding Facts About Your Favorites Herbs & Spices

Poppy seeds can cause drug tests to test positive for heroin.

Black pepper can stop bleeding and take away the soreness of a cut.

Paprika is simply made from the dried and ground bell and/or chill peepers.

If you add saffron or turmeric to mayonnaise, you can no longer legally call it mayonnaise in the US.

Mixing cayenne pepper or other chili peppers into underwater marine paint helps prevent barnacles from attaching to the boat hull.

Vanilla beans can only be pollinated within 12 hours of blooming, either by hand or a special variety of Mexican bee.

Saffron, cardamom, and vanilla are the three most expensive spices (by weight).

Anise, the herb that flavors traditional absinthe, Jagermeister, Ouzo, etc. can relieve menstrual cramps.

Fennel is widely employed as a carminative to treat flatulence by encouraging the expulsion of intestinal gas.

Despite the numerous claims about the health and beauty benefits of 'Aloe Vera' by makeup brands and its hype among women, there isn't enough scientific evidence for its effectiveness. In fact, a non-decolorized extract of Aloe Vera plant is a known toxin and carcinogen.