Spiritual and ritual use
How spices are held sacred: in worship, rites of passage and traditional medicine, described as those who keep the tradition would describe it.
HinduTurmeric and kumkum at the puja, incense, camphor and the prasad of the temple.22BuddhistIncense and offerings of the temple, and the temple kitchens of East and Southeast Asia.7JainSpices used within the Jain diet, which leaves out roots, onion and garlic.4MuslimDates, saffron and cardamom at Eid and Ramadan, attar and the spiced dishes of the festival table.12JewishBesamim at Havdalah, spices of the Passover and Sabbath tables, and the spice trade of the diaspora.20ChristianFrankincense and myrrh, the Epiphany cake, Christmas baking and the anointing oils.13SikhThe spiced langar kitchen, and karah prasad flavoured with cardamom.3ZoroastrianSandalwood and frankincense for the sacred fire, and the Parsi table of Nowruz and navjote.4Shinto and TaoistIncense, ginger and pepper in ritual, offerings and the cooking of temples.3Indigenous and folkSmudging herbs, ceremonial plants and the spice knowledge of indigenous peoples.15Ayurveda and traditional medicineSpices as the traditional medicine chest: described as tradition, never as medical advice.25Other traditionsFolk custom, luck and protection, and uses that fit no single faith.3