Vol. 30 No. 2 (2019): The Journal of Development Communication (December 2019)

From food preservatives to natural medicines, cosmetics and personal drugs, spices can be used for numerous different purposes. As natural medicines and homemade remedies, spices have played a pivotal role in the health care of many cultures, both ancient and modern. The Indian system of holistic medicine known as “Ayurveda” uses mainly plant-based formulations to treat various ailments. Certain spices such as turmeric has a very long history of medicinal use, dating back nearly 4000 years. The healing power of spices is a holistic treatment that has been passed down through many generations in many cultures. The cover photo of this issue shows a spice shop at the famous Morocco’s Jemaa el-Fna Market Square in Marrakech. Jemaa el-Fna dates back to the founding of Marrakesh by the Almoravids in 1062. Today, the historic square attracts the entire spectrum of life in Marrakesh: locals and tourists from across the world. The cultural importance of Jema el-Fna has inspired UNESCO to create its “Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.”

Text: Md Sidin Ahmad Ishak | Cover Photo: ©Marcin Jucha/123RF.com