Is it true that cinnamon raises blood pressure? I

This is way out of my league so I refer you to a website I respect: The World's Healthiest Foods for more information about cinnamon's health properties. And, don't forget, your doctor is the best person to ask about blood pressure.

Was interested in trying epazote until I read on your site that it is poisonous in large quantities...could you elaborate on this...how much is a large quantity...thank you. D

The essential oil from the seeds of epazote is considered toxic and should not be taken internally. Pregnant and lactating women should stay away from even epazote leaves. I have searched and searched for a definitive answer to how much is too much but didn't come up with an answer. WHO studies have shown that 1/2 cup of a decoction given for 4 days had no side effects. In my mind, anything more than a Tablespoon (which weighs in at .1 ounce) might be considered a large amount for one person to consume. Most recipes that serve 4 to 6 people don't even call for that much. One source recommended using the leaves only rather than whole stems to avoid the strongest essential oils.

Just wanted to let the poster who mentioned Old Bay know that I had a severe reaction to it and called the company to find out that Cayenne Pepper is one of the ingredients. I've had reactions to cayenne pepper before and now know to avoid Old Bay. Sad, since I live in Baltimore! SC

Thanks for the info.

My husband has a severe milk allergy - not lactose intolerance, but allergic to anything with milk protein. (You would not believe the amount of prescription and over-the-counter medications that contain milk!) The hives he experiences are horrible. We have been told to avoid natural and artificial flavorings, because of potential milk proteins. Can you tell me what natural and artificial flavorings to watch? Thanks so much - MR

You will probably get a good deal of help from the FoodReactions.org website. I found an article there specifically dedicated to "hidden milk."

We had the opportunity to taste sumagh (Iran possible spelling) or sumac. We thought it might be a nice substitute for salt which we are trying to cut back. Please advise if there is a potassium level to this spice and any moderation advice on usage. Thank you, FG

My goodness, this question sent me on a real quest. I wandered about the internet into unhelpful sites that said 1 sumac had no potassium. Who knows just what 1 sumac might be: a gram? A berry? Hmmmp. Other sites didn't mention potassium on the nutritional information lists. Then I landed in the middle of a very scientific study that was more baffling than anything. From what I could glean, a half gram sample of sumac berries has 7963.35 (plus or minus 47.85) parts per million potassium. I hope this means more to you than it does to me. I didn't find any warnings against eating the spice in general. I suppose that you have seen the article "All About Sumac?"

Can eating poppy seed muffins cause children to become hyperactive and change their behavior? RG

I can't find any information that indicates that sort of problem. Depending on the recipe, there is probably more sugar than poppy seeds in a muffin so it might be hard to tell.

Please: I have a serious allergy to cinnamon. What can I substitute for it. Allspice and nutmeg are almost as bad as cinnamon. Thanks. WPS

In this case it's important to know what it is in cinnamon that causes your allergic reaction. I encourage you to speak with your doctor or a registered dietitian in this case.

Good day, I would love to have poppy seeds included in my curries cooking. My questions: Does it have any bad affects if eaten in excess? If yes, what's the maximum dosage like in sauce cooking? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks! Cheers + regards, JL

Aside from possible false-positive results on a drug test and as long as you are eating culinary poppy seeds derived from the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, you should be safe even in large amounts. Other garden varieties of poppy are grown as ornamentals and are not safe to ingest.

I have been recently been told that some companies add wheat to their spices to prevent clumping. Could you please tell me if this is true as my husband has recently been diagnosed with wheat intolerance. Thank you. G

Basic spices and herbs should be nothing more than what the label says. You may run into anti-clumping additives when you purchase spice blends. Some companies also use hydrolyzed vegetable protein, a wheat product, as an alternative to MSG in different mixtures.

I grow basil at home and I love the flavor so I make a lot of basil salads. My question is can basil be toxic if eaten in large amounts and if so what would be safe guideline. Thank You very much AP

My first impulse was to say you can't get too much of this good thing but I thought I'd better check. Looks like oil of basil would be dangerous. I did come across this nugget of information at the Herb Society's website:  "Sweet basil (O. basilicum) is on the USDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list at 2-680 ppm (parts-per-million) for the leaf and .01-50 ppm for the oil, but some suggest that it may be hazardous in excessively large doses due to possible carcinogens. Note that the amount of essential oil that is considered GRAS is very small, and basil essential oil should not be taken internally." I'm afraid it is just a bit far from my ability to calculate just how much basil is over 2-680 ppm but this is the first I've ever heard of the herb being even remotely dangerous.

HI: You recently had a question on your board from a user whose child had experienced an allergic reaction to Chai Tea. I just received the following alert/warning from The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network [faan@foodallergymail.org] and thought you might like to share it with your readers.  PEANUT ALLERGY ALERT  December 26, 2005 Starbucks Coffee Company is issuing a food allergy alert regarding two lot codes of its Tazo Chai Full Leaf tins due to a possible contamination with peanut protein. The affected Tam Chai Full Leaf tins were distributed into a limited number of grocery stores in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Nevada. The 3-oz. Tazo Chai Full Leaf tins bear lot codes L06OCT2005 or L08NOV2005 on a white sticker with black lettering on the bottom of the tin. Customers who have purchased this product can contact Starbucks customer relations at (800) 23-LATTE (52883) to receive instructions for returning the product and receiving a full refund.

Let me know if consuming soaked fenugreek seeds will help in reducing weight? Also what are other advantages of the same if taken regularly? Regards, A

We deal only with the culinary uses of herbs and spices at this website. I suggest you visit the Sloan-Kettering website and read the entire entry on the subject of the medicinal use of fenugreek.

Is it possible to be sensitive to vanilla? Kindest Regards BC

I haven't heard of this but I'm sure it's possible. Vanilla extract contains alcohol, you know, which could affect some more than others.

I ate a poppy seed lemon muffin three days this week and as a result I have blurred vision. I went to the Doctor and found out my blood sugar had increased tremendously. Do you think the poppy seed muffin altered by blood sugar? CG

I'm no doctor but I do know that many commercial muffins are laden with refined sugars and fats. You should talk to your doctor to learn more about this.

Where can I find out about the benefits of tonic water. Is it good for leg muscle cramps??

Follow this link to an entry about leg cramps from the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. There are several paragraphs about quinine, an ingredient in tonic water.

Today I ate a Cajun chicken wrap. It tasted very spicy. About half way through the wrap my daughter noted heavy perspiration around both of my eyes. I didn't feel the perspiration but when I reached up to touch the area, I was surprised at how wet with perspiration it was. I am not normally a person who perspires. Have you any information on allergic reactions to Cajun spices? HM

Cajun spices often have a variety of peppers, both black and chiles, so it is going to be spicy. Highly spiced foods often hail from very hot climates where they are said to cause perspiration that cools the diner. If you suspect you experienced an allergic reaction rather than a cooling reaction, you should check with your doctor.

I was trying to find some information on safely bottling and preserving decorative flavored oils and vinegars. I know that there are problems that come with fresh herbs and things such as garlic and sundried tomatoes. I was wondering how could I prepare these things to safely create these oils and vinegars? Thanks, KE

Food safety is a serious matter. I found two excellent articles that address this subject. The first, from the University of Georgia talks about flavoring vinegars safely and the other, at Olive Oil Source explains about seasoned oils and potential hazards.

Hello My son recently broke out in a hive type rash after eating some chicken salad. The only unusual ingredient in the salad was curry powder. Do you know if curry powder can cause an allergic reaction? J

Curry has so many different ingredients it is possible that your son may be sensitive to one or more of them. Your doctor could probably point you to more informative resources.

I have a question about cinnamon. Can you ever eat too much of it.....does it have any bad affects if eaten in excess ? Please let me know PN

I didn't think it was possible to ingest too much cinnamon but when I checked to be sure, I learned that some folks are sensitive to the spice. Read more about it at this food site from Oregon State.

Have you ever heard of someone being allergic to certain spices? My daughter had a severe reaction after drinking some chai tea, (yes, chai tea) and I need to find information on any possible allergic properties of spices. Thank you for any information or links given. JG

I am only aware that some people are sensitive to sesame seeds as far as spices go but I'm sure there are others out there. I came across a site about food from Oregon State University recently. I just did a search and they listed many, many resources related to allergies that you could investigate.

Hello, I want to know how potent rose hips are with vitamin C. I have some rose hips powder that I'm thinking of making into a tincture to use in place of vitamin C supplements and am wondering if this would be as good. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, D

I couldn't come up with the specific vitamin counts of rose hips from any of my regular, reliable sources. Your question would probably be better answered by someone in the medical or horticulture field.

Hi, I recently bought a beautiful bowl for food purposes for someone, but I had accidentally got a bowl which should be used for potpourri. I wanted to know whether I can still use that bowl for food purposes or is my money wasted because at the back of the bowl a label said NOT TO BE USED FOR FOOD PURPOSES.

You should definitely follow the warning label since the reason may be lead in the paint or glaze. It may or may not be water-tight either so you probably don't want to use it for holding liquids. It's not a complete loss, if it is a beautiful bowl you could still use it as a decorative piece. My favorite local pottery shop, Mud In Your Eye, creates only beautiful functional stoneware. You can order anything from them, except the raku pieces, with the knowledge that it can be used for food.

Some one gave me a bottle of Orlando Pure Vanilla.. It says it's aged. It is from Mexico, Mauricio Ramos,, Jal. Mex. How do I know it is a safe product, and a good vanilla? I believe it is about a quart size.. It says 1000 ml. Thank you MS

There are other readers of this site who are devoted to Orlando Vanilla although I have no experience with it. Why not contact your local health department and see if they have had any complaints or if they have any comments regarding Mexican vanilla?

Hi. I have been studying the benefits of Garlic and its apparently fantastic for lowering blood pressure and Cholesterol. I wondered if you could tell me the recommended daily amount of Garlic in cloves and milligrams to achieve the above ailments? Regards, DG

This site is all about cooking with herbs and spices, I never make suggestions for medicinal use. I do encourage you to talk to a doctor about this matter.

How much Turmeric is recommended as a daily supplement. I have arthritis (was taking vioxx) and acid reflux (taking nexium) and have been told this is good for digestion and as an anti-inflammatory agent. Please advise. JF

This site is all about cooking with herbs and spices, I never make suggestions for medicinal use. I do encourage you to talk to a doctor about this matter. Self-prescribed herbs interacting with prescription drugs have been in the news a lot lately--usually because of fatal results.

Hi, You probably think I am crazy, but I bumped into a Natropath today, and he checked my eyes and told me I needed Celery Seeds. But dummy me in all the confusion, I forgot to ask what it is for. Can you give me a list of all the things it does to help you? Regards,CB

Sorry, we concentrate on culinary uses for herbs and spices here, not how to use them medicinally. To find out more about the seeds in general, please see "All About Celery Seeds."

I had a severe allergic reaction to old bay seasoning. Have you ever heard of this before? Thanks, J

I haven't heard of anyone ever having problems with this popular seasoning blend but it does have more than a dozen flavors that may or may not include MSG--I'm not sure. Many people have a violent reaction to MSG. I suppose you have considered that maybe your reaction was actually to the food that the Old Bay was used to season?

Hello! I read that drinking tonic water would get the ridges out of my fingernails. It is the quinine that does the trick. Then I heard that quinine is a poison and is no longer actually put in tonic water, it's just soda. So what's in my gin and tonic anyway???? And is quinine in a drink going to cause me harm? Your pal, VZ

Seems that quinine is used for treating certain conditions these days and can be overadministered. I did a Google search of "quinine safety" and came up with this complicated explanation about tonic water: "The FDA does not allow more than 2.45 mg/ounce of quinine to be contained in a carbonated beverage (CRF 21 part 172.575). Results of a pharmacokinetic study demonstrated that daily consumption of 80 mg of quinine per day (equivalent to approximately 32 ounces of a tonic water beverage) did not significantly alter the pharmacokinetics of astemizole, nor was it associated with any clinically or statistically significant effect on the QT interval." I'd say if you are very concerned about this matter, or if you wish to use quinine medicinally, that you check with your doctor.

Could you tell me if sesame seeds produce an allergic reaction in people with peanut allergies? Thank you, DO

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology reported on April 27, 2004 that "Peanuts and tree nuts are common causes of severe food allergies in children. Allergic reactions to seed products such as sesame seeds have been reported occasionally but may be increasing in frequency." Apparently as international foods like tahini and halva are becoming more popular in cultures that are unaccustomed to them, the allergies are showing up more. If this is a concern to you, I can suggest looking for more information at your Canadian Food Inspection Agency's website. It is a very helpful site that is available in English and French.

Is there any sugar or fat in poppy seeds? I had my blood sugar done the other day and my sugar level was high for me, all I ate was poppy seeds I like them right out of the bottle. Thank-you for answering my Question. SA

Poppy seeds have about .7 gram of carbohydrates and 1.25 grams of fat per teaspoon according to the nutritional data at Weight Loss Friends website.

Could you please tell me if annato has gluten or casien in it. My son is autistic and on a gfcf diet. Thanks for your help. GM

I have to admit that I am not 100% sure so I hesitate to make a statement regarding important dietary needs. "Casein," not casien seems to be a dairy by-product and gluten is generally associated with flours. Try doing a Google search to learn more about it, making sure to use the correct spellings. Annatto is the most common spelling of that word.

My son heard at school that the spice called cloves can help take care of bad breath. Do you know if you can help me? Please, Thank you.

Although the essential oil of cloves is sometimes used in the manufacture of toothpaste and mouthwash, I found no direct correlation in my resources that they will take care of bad breath. Cloves have long been used to ease the pain of tooth aches. To find out more about cloves, please see the article "All About Cloves."

This is my first time at your website and I just love it.  The information provided is usable and concise.  Thank you. I am looking for a book or a website that contains the nutritional value of some of the more common herbs such as parsley is high in vitamin A and C.  Do you have any suggestions?

I am always on the lookout for this same resource! If I ever find it, I will post a link.  In checking yet again with Amazon, I did come across The Complete Book of Food Counts This book does actually list herbs and spices but only protein, fat and carbohydrate information.

I am hoping that you can help me. I have just been diagnosis with Celiac Disease, which means I cannot have any products that contain gluten. Any one of my favorite products contains Coleman's Mustard Flour. So my question to you is - do you know if this mustard flour contains any gluten? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Lisa

Sorry to hear about your condition.  To the best of my knowledge, mustard flour should be pure and simple ground mustard seed.

I have been told that fenugreek has many medicinal purposes. I am taking it in pill form for fibromyalgia and weight loss.  Am I wasting my time? It is also supposed to give me energy and loss of appetite. Please give me info. Thank you..Peggy

These are questions you really should ask your doctor or a holistic practitioner, Peggy.  Here at aPinchOf I go out of my way NOT to offer advice on using herbs for health simply because I am not an expert on this aspect. You can find out more information about the spice in general at All About Fenugreek.

Hi, I have a prolonged viral infection and my mom told me to use dill weed, make a tea, this is good for an infection. I want to get better quick, I have been sick for awhile.  Is it the weed or the seed that I should use?  Thanks, HG

Sorry to hear of your ill health. Because I am a cook and not an herbalist, I make it a policy not to dispense any sort of medicinal advice. A pleasant tea can be made from a teaspoon or two of dill seeds in a cup of hot water for about 15 minutes. However, the only health claim I make for this concoction is that it may relax you.

Hi. My wife is interested in taking curcumin, what % of curcumin is there in Tumeric? Thanks, regards TT

The short answer is: I don't know. The long answer is: I try really hard not to give information that may be used for medicinal purposes rather than culinary. Please follow this link Just the Facts for information without hype on herbal supplements of all kinds. For cooking with the spice, be sure to see "All About Turmeric."

What is the nutritional value of chervil?

I cannot come up with specific nutritional data for chervil but I have found that it is high in Vitamin C, carotene, iron and magnesium. If anyone knows of a source that does list actual numbers, please let us know.

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