Ruth Alvarez and her sister Claudia prepare a tea made of passion fruit, ginger and lemongrass for their father who has been diagnosed with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in the low-income community Monte Sinai, in Guayaquil, Ecuador April 23, 2020. REUTERS/Santiago Arcos 

People walk past Dduktak, a makgeolli-themed bar in Seoul October 16, 2009. At Dduktak in a Seoul's busy district, patrons huddle over colourful "makgeolli cocktails" that blend the wine into milkshake-like concoctions with everything from espresso beans to lemongrass. The South Korean government makes no secret of its desire to see the country's often fiery cuisine appreciated by a wider international audience. Picture taken October 16, 2009. REUTERS/Lee Jae-Won (SOUTH KOREA SOCIETY TRAVEL) 

-PHOTO TAKEN 03NOV05- Black pepper is seen at a family run spice farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. [Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamom, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island,] nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. 

-PHOTO TAKEN 03NOV05-Spice farmer Kassim Sisso smells various spices scents walking in his family-run spice farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. [Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamom, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island,] nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. 

-PHOTO TAKEN 03NOV05- Spice farmer Kassim Sisso (front) walks around his family-run spice farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. [Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island,] nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. 

-PHOTO TAKEN 03NOV05- Various spices are for sale (cloves in the foreground) at a small family-run shop at a farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. [Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island,] nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso cuts a piece of a ginger root at his family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like [cardamon, cinnamon, chillies], ginger, [lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla] are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". 

A cinnamon tree is seen after being chopped at a family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like [cardamon], cinnamon, [chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla] are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". 

Various spices are seen at a small family farm shop in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso arranges various spices in a small shop run at his family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso uses a panga to chop a cinnamon tree at his family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". 

Lemongrass body lotion are for sale at a small family run shop at a farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso holds various spices for sale at the small shop run by his family at their farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Various spices are for sale at a small family-run shop at a farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso (front) walks around his family-run spice farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Various spices are for sale (cloves in the foreground) at a small family-run shop at a farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso smells various spices scents walking in his family-run spice farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Black pepper is seen at a family run spice farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso smells a piece of a ginger root at his family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation started in the early 18th century when, along with cloves, spices were brought to Zanzibar by the Arabs. Zanzibar's agricultural is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed 'Spice Island'. High season, and therefore the best time to visit the farms, is said to be June and July. REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

A cinnamon tree is seen after being chopped at a family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso cuts a piece of a ginger root at his family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Various spices are seen at a small family farm shop in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso arranges various spices in a small shop run at his family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Spice farmer Kassim Sisso uses a panga to chop a cinnamon tree at his family farm in Zanzibar's island village of Kidichi November 3, 2005. Zanzibar's agricultural reputation is based principally on the production of cloves but various other spices like cardamon, cinnamon, chillies, ginger, lemongrass, nutmeg, pepper, tumeric and vanilla are farmed on the island, nicknamed "Spices Island". REUTERS/Radu Sigheti 

Switzerland's Rolf j. Schmitz, executive chef at the Bangkok Regent Hotel, presents a bowl of Thailand's popular spicy and sour shrimp soup, Tom Yum Goong, alongside a basket of the raw ingredients that go into the dish December 29, 2000. Recent research by a Thai-Japanese study into the medicinal qualities of Thai cuisine has shown that simple, fresh herbs like chilis, lime leaves and lemongrass that make up Thailand's favourite dish contain anti-oxidants that are 100 times more effective at blocking cancer growth than any other naturally occuring anti-oxidants. 

Switzerland's Rolf j. Schmitz, executive chef at the Bangkok Regent Hotel, presents a bowl of Thailand's popular spicy and sour shrimp soup, Tom Yum Goong, alongside a basket of the raw ingredients that go into the dish December 29, 2000. Recent research by a Thai-Japanese study into the medicinal qualities of Thai cuisine has shown that simple, fresh herbs like chilis, lime leaves and lemongrass that make up Thailand's favourite dish contain anti-oxidants that are 100 times more effective at blocking cancer growth than any other naturally occuring anti-oxidants.

JIR/DL