Spearmint
Spearmint, by its generic name, was highly esteemed by the ancients. The Assyrians and Babylonians used it to treat stomach laziness and the Jews as a tonic. Dioscorides used it for the stomach. In the 19th century, Trousseau used it not only for vomiting but also for strong coughs.
But its properties are not only about digestion and spasms. Hippocrates and Aristotle considered it an aphrodisiac, while Dioscorides and Mattiole did the exact opposite. In the last century Leclerc and others considered spearmint a tonic "suitable for the games of love."
Orange
Oranges are native to the tropics of Asia, especially the Malay Archipelago. Along with other citrus species they have been cultivated for countless years.
The orange spread to India and the east coast of Africa and then to the eastern Mediterranean. The Roman conquests, the development of Arab trade routes and the expansion of Islam contributed significantly to its spread.
When Christopher Columbus sailed, orange trees were common in the Canary Islands.
Nowadays, they are cultivated in subtropical and tropical America, the northern and eastern Mediterranean, South Africa and Australia.
Myrrh
In ancient cultures, female herbalist-perfumers working in palaces and guilds prepared both sacred incense and secular perfumes. Myrrh was a regular part of these preparations, which could take the form of aromatic waters, oil-based decoctions, or highly alcoholic wine.
The Egyptians used it to treat wounds and skin sores and as part of the embalming ointment used in mummification.
Myrrh was included in the Roman preparations Mendesium, a lubricant for sore muscles, and Murra, a perfume also used as a hair tonic and skin cleanser.
In the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, myrrh was the main ingredient for the sacraments of anointing (baptism in the Holy Spirit) and arma (consecration or healing ritual).
The Jews incorporated myrrh into their holy anointing oil as well as the Ketoret temple incense mixture.