Some of the most consumed herbs and spices were popularized due to their medicinal  properties. Turmeric, for example, was first used in India over 4000 years ago in a system of holistic medicine called Ayurveda. This versatile spice was used to improve digestion, relieve arthritis, to inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms, etc. It was uncovered in its chemical composition that turmeric contains the compound curcumin, which is known to inhibit signal transduction pathw