SOME IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS IN COOKING+++

1.ANISEED (AJWAIN) BELONGS TO THE CELERY FAMILY, THE FRUIT OF THE PLANT
IS CALLED "ANISEED" . IT GIVES OUT A AROMATIC FLAVOR AND IS KNOWN TO
CURE INDIGESTION SO ADDED TO CURRIES AND OTHER DISHES ALSO.
2.BETEL LEAVES ARE AROMATIC CREEPER, ITS LEAVES ARE HEART SHAPED
AND IT HAS DEODORANT QUALITY. IT IS CHEWED AS A MOUTH FRESHNER
AFTER MEALS AS IT SWEETENS THE BREATH.
3.CORIANDER IS A PERENNIAL HERB, IT IS SWEET SMELLING, ITS LEAVES ARE GREEN AND ITS SEEDS ARE DRIED WHEN RIPE MADE INTO POWDER ,USED IN COOKING.
4.CURRY LEAVES ARE BEAUTIFUL , AROMATIC SHRUB, ITS LEAVES USED IN COOKING FOR FLAVOR . IT IS A "FLAVORING AGENT" IN VARIOUS INDIAN COOKING.
5.CLOVE IS AN ANTISEPTIC AS IT KILLS BACTERIA. IT HELPS IN TOOTH ACHE, FEVER, COLD|FLU ALSO.
6.FENUGREEK (METHI) HELPS FIGHT CHOLESTEROL AND KEEPS BODY CLEAN AND HEALTHY.
7.FENNEL (SAUNF ) USED FOR FLAVOR AND AS MOUTH FRESHNER AFTER FOOD AND VERY IMPORTANT IN PICKLE MAKING.
8.GINGER IS A HERB, IT AIDS THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM, HELPS IN COLD|FLU,      MOTION SICKNESS AND NAUSEA.
9.GARLIC IS OF THE ONION FAMILY, IT IS GOOD FOR THE HEART, HAIR, FIGHTS CHOLESTEROL, AND BLOOD PRESSURE. IT IS CALLED A "SPICE WONDER DRUG", ACTS AS AN ANTIBIOTIC.
10.INDIAN GOOSEBERRY "AMLA" IS A FLESHY FRUIT, IT IS ROUND WITH A SEED INSIDE. IT IS USED IN MANY MEDICINES AND A IMPORTANT SOURCE OF 
VITAMIN "c". IT IS CALLED "WONDER" HERB AS IT GIVES A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE. THE FRUIT IS ACRID, REFRESHING AND WORKS AS A LAXATIVE ALSO. IT CAN BE EATEN RAW AND PICKLED ALSO.
11.ONION (PYAAZ ) IT HAS A STRONG ODOUR, IT IS A ROOT PLANT AND IS ENERGY GIVING. ONIONS CAN BE EATEN RAW OR USED IN COOKING AS IT IS ESSENTIAL.
12.ROSEMARY IS A SHRUB, ITS LEAVES ARE DRIED AND HAVE TEA TYPE SMELL. IT IS ALSO IN POWDER FORM AND ADDED TO COOKING.
13.TURMERIC IS FULL OF MEDICINAL VIRTUES, IT IS ANTISEPTIC, USED ON SPRAINS AND SWELLINGS. TURMERIC POWDER GIVES THE YELLOW COLOR WHEN ADDED TO VARIOUS COOKING.

Veena Sampath  says :- one of the benefits of fenugreek seeds that is not very well known is that it is a galactogogue i.e. it helps in breast milk production. Garlic also has this property.