In herbal history this was the plant in which the victor’s crown of laurels was made - laurus ‘praise’, nobilis ‘noble’ and dedicated to Apollo, Greek god of music, light and healing. As such, many superstitions arose around the powers of bay. Apart from its symbolic and mythological significance, bay has been used for centuries for its medicinal, antiseptic properties. Whether to soothe coughs or calm the restless spirit; bay leaves were strewn on the floors of monasteries and hospitals and burned in a room once sickness had passed to remove traces of infectious microbes from the air. Bay was introduced to Britain from the Mediterranean in the 17th century together with its reputation ‘Neither witch nor devil, thunder nor lightning, will hurt a man in the place where a bay-tree is.’ Nicolas Culpeper, botanist 1616-1654.

Laurus nobilis was found to exhibit strong antibacterial activity against Salmonella, E-Coli, Listeria and Staphylococcus (Dadalioglu, 2004). In a 2006 laboratory study essential oils of Laurus nobilis was found to have antifungal effects (Soylu, 2006).

The botanical and geographical origin of bergamot is still uncertain; it may be native of the Calabria region (Italy) or Antilles, Greece or the Canary Islands from where Christopher Columbus imported it. The name bergamot could also be derived from Berga, a Spanish city that later transported the trees to Calabria (Italy) where more than 90% of the world's bergamot production comes from. Italian folklore details its primary uses for fever, skin and respiratory infections as well as an aid for healing minor wounds.

The chemical composition of bergamot essential oils has been widely investigated due to its bioactive molecules and health benefits. A 2007 study found bergamot to have both antibacterial and antifungal activity against Campylobacter, E-Coli, Listeria and Staphylococcus (Karaca, 2007). Scientific studies looking at alleviating symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain are supported both physiologically and psychologically (Bagetta., 2010).

The most widely consumed spice in the world, black pepper has been a valuable trading commodity since 400AD. Native to southern India and Sri Lanka, and cultivated in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brazil, pepper has a long tradition of medicinal use in Ayurvedic and Chinese healings for coughs, colds, and as a nerve tonic. Since the 15th century, pepper was a highly guarded commodity and often cause for war amongst great trading nations, such as the Dutch or the Portuguese who maintained a monopoly over the pepper trade right up to the 19th century.

A 2006 study has shown Piper nigrum to exhibit 75% antibacterial activity against 12 different types of bacteria (Chaudhry, 2006). The antioxidant effects of a polyherbal formulation – a combination of seven medicinal herbs including Piper nigrum, found it to have potential benefits against the effects of the common inflammatory response against pollen, dust, mites and mold (Pratibha, 2004).

Indigenous to Europe, it is also widely grown in many other regions including North America. Detailed in William Turner’s 1551 “Newe Herball”, chamomile was believed to be the only remedy for all illness and fever. Over the centuries chamomile has been celebrated for its soothing and anti-stress properties; to promote sleep and relieve bites, stings and skin irritations, as well as being used in steam inhalation to aid asthma and sinusitis.

Chamomile has shown to be effective against bacteria’s such as Staphylococcus aureus and inhibit the growth of several strains of fungi (Margo, 2006).

Cinnamon is the inner bark of trees native to areas around the Indian Ocean. This ingredient has been an important aromatic spice since biblical times, being used in ointments made by Moses. Cinnamon has been cited as one of the most expensive items available in Babylon and was considered more valuable than gold, often prized as a gift fit for Kings! During the 18th century, cinnamon became such a valuable commodity that the Dutch took control of Sri Lanka and set up a trading monopoly. Traditional Chinese medicine uses cinnamon as a neuroprotective agent and treatment of diabetes. Medicinal uses, amongst others, include treatment for inflammation, respiratory infections and tooth ache.

Studies have shown the antibacterial activity of cinnamon is due to its active constituents of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. There have been some indications to suggest cinnamon could be an alternative to synthetic antibiotics, especially for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections, however, further studies are needed (Nabavi et al., 2015).

Cloves originate from a group of islands in Indonesia and were brought to the Mediterranean by Persian and Arab traders. Widely used since the 4th century, cloves were included in pomanders to prevent against infection and plague. In the present day, apart from being used as a flavouring in cooking, clove oil brings its familiar smell into sick rooms and dental surgeries. Medicinal uses include the treatment of nausea and prevention of intestinal parasites, dental antiseptic, disinfecting food, as well as effectively shielding from insects. The large scale pharmaceutical use today recognises its antiseptic and bactericidal properties.

Studies have shown clove to have antimicrobial activity and be effective against a wide selection of bacteria, fungi and germs (Briozzo, 1989). There has also been some evidence to support cloves anesthetic properties, however more research is needed (Alqareer, 2006).

Coriander is one of the world’s most useful essential oil-bearing plant. Not only known for its distinctive taste and used in food preparation. Seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun (1325BC). Coriander has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties, the leaves and seeds have digestive properties and stimulate appetite. The essential oils have fungicidal and antibacterial properties.

The essential oil is shown to maintain shelf-life of foods and prevent spoilage (Mandal and Mandal, 2015).