Summarizes information on the medicinal uses, indications, cultivation, and chemistry of 64 spices listed alphabetically by their scientific name. The entries review the historical preparation of each spice in different countries, as well as their folklore and culinary uses. Each condition possibly treatable by the spice is listed along with a reference to the source literature and a rating of the proven efficacy. Black and white drawings are provided for most of the plants, which include caraway, licorice, sassafras, and vanilla. The editor worked 35 years for the USDA, and also edited the Handbook of medicinal herbs. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR