NCERT Textbook: Spices that Heal Us | English Class 6 (Honeysuckle) PDF Download

 Page 1


Nurturing Nature
Spice S that h eal US 
Let us do these activities before we read.
 1. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant 
used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three 
spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and 
share your answers with your teacher. 
 (a) _______________ (b) _______________ (c) _______________ 
 2. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what 
you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the 
last column. Share your answers with your teacher.
S.No. Spice Name in your language Name in English
1. Turmeric
2. Fenugreek
3. Cumin seeds
4. Asafoetida
5. Cinnamon
6. Clove
7. Ginger
8. Black pepper
9. Fennel seeds
10. Cardamom
93
Unit 3.indd   93 13-Jun-24   10:57:49 AM
Page 2


Nurturing Nature
Spice S that h eal US 
Let us do these activities before we read.
 1. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant 
used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three 
spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and 
share your answers with your teacher. 
 (a) _______________ (b) _______________ (c) _______________ 
 2. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what 
you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the 
last column. Share your answers with your teacher.
S.No. Spice Name in your language Name in English
1. Turmeric
2. Fenugreek
3. Cumin seeds
4. Asafoetida
5. Cinnamon
6. Clove
7. Ginger
8. Black pepper
9. Fennel seeds
10. Cardamom
93
Unit 3.indd   93 13-Jun-24   10:57:49 AM
Poorvi—Grade 6
Dear Vikram and Vaibhavi,
Namaste! I just got your message that you are better now. 
I am happy that the natural cures that I had shared, helped you. You should 
try to remember these cures and may share them with your friends. When 
I	was	a	child,	I	learnt	them 	from	my 	grandmother .	She	used	to	find 	home	
remedies for most of the weather-related common illnesses. Let me share 
some	of	the	benefits 	of	the	spices	that	most	of	us	have	in	our	kitchen.	
Let me start with haldi, which is called turmeric in English. It helps in improving 
our energy level and digestion. It helps in reducing body pain too. 
Next, let us take methi, which is called fenugreek in English. You will be 
surprised to know that it helps me in keeping my sugar level and my body 
weight in control. I need to soak the methi seeds overnight and drink the water 
in the morning. 
•	 Jeera (cumin) seeds soaked in water overnight can also improve digestion and 
help cure sleeplessness.
• You know, when you were babies and had gas in your tummy, I used to put 
heeng (asafoetida) water on your tummy to give you some relief. Heeng 
can also help in controlling cough and cold. 
• Dalchini (cinnamon) and laung (clove) give relief when we have toothache 
till we can consult a dentist.
• Adrak (ginger) is another herb that can help us when we have cough and 
cold.  It also gives relief from pain. Do you know, ginger has been used for 
cooking for more than 4000 years? Even today, it is extensively used in 
cooking Indian food.
•		 Kali mirch (black pepper) is also helpful in digestion and can give us relief 
from body pain. 
•	 You may have seen that at the end of a meal, saunf (fennel seeds) and 
ajwain (carom seeds) are served. It is because they help in the digestion of 
food.
•	 Elaichi (cardamom) also helps us with digestion and respiratory troubles 
in addition to curing bad breath.  
 3. Do you know if these spices can be used for something else other than 
cooking? 	Let	us	find 	out	by	reading	the	letter	given	below.	
94
Unit 3.indd   94 13-Jun-24   10:57:51 AM
Page 3


Nurturing Nature
Spice S that h eal US 
Let us do these activities before we read.
 1. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant 
used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three 
spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and 
share your answers with your teacher. 
 (a) _______________ (b) _______________ (c) _______________ 
 2. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what 
you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the 
last column. Share your answers with your teacher.
S.No. Spice Name in your language Name in English
1. Turmeric
2. Fenugreek
3. Cumin seeds
4. Asafoetida
5. Cinnamon
6. Clove
7. Ginger
8. Black pepper
9. Fennel seeds
10. Cardamom
93
Unit 3.indd   93 13-Jun-24   10:57:49 AM
Poorvi—Grade 6
Dear Vikram and Vaibhavi,
Namaste! I just got your message that you are better now. 
I am happy that the natural cures that I had shared, helped you. You should 
try to remember these cures and may share them with your friends. When 
I	was	a	child,	I	learnt	them 	from	my 	grandmother .	She	used	to	find 	home	
remedies for most of the weather-related common illnesses. Let me share 
some	of	the	benefits 	of	the	spices	that	most	of	us	have	in	our	kitchen.	
Let me start with haldi, which is called turmeric in English. It helps in improving 
our energy level and digestion. It helps in reducing body pain too. 
Next, let us take methi, which is called fenugreek in English. You will be 
surprised to know that it helps me in keeping my sugar level and my body 
weight in control. I need to soak the methi seeds overnight and drink the water 
in the morning. 
•	 Jeera (cumin) seeds soaked in water overnight can also improve digestion and 
help cure sleeplessness.
• You know, when you were babies and had gas in your tummy, I used to put 
heeng (asafoetida) water on your tummy to give you some relief. Heeng 
can also help in controlling cough and cold. 
• Dalchini (cinnamon) and laung (clove) give relief when we have toothache 
till we can consult a dentist.
• Adrak (ginger) is another herb that can help us when we have cough and 
cold.  It also gives relief from pain. Do you know, ginger has been used for 
cooking for more than 4000 years? Even today, it is extensively used in 
cooking Indian food.
•		 Kali mirch (black pepper) is also helpful in digestion and can give us relief 
from body pain. 
•	 You may have seen that at the end of a meal, saunf (fennel seeds) and 
ajwain (carom seeds) are served. It is because they help in the digestion of 
food.
•	 Elaichi (cardamom) also helps us with digestion and respiratory troubles 
in addition to curing bad breath.  
 3. Do you know if these spices can be used for something else other than 
cooking? 	Let	us	find 	out	by	reading	the	letter	given	below.	
94
Unit 3.indd   94 13-Jun-24   10:57:51 AM
95
Nurturing Nature
	 Let 	 us 	think 	and	 reflect
 1. Read the given lines and answer the following questions.
  ‘When I was a child, I learnt them from my grandmother. She used to find 
cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen.’ 
	 (a)	Where	exactly	in	the	kitchen	did	her	grandmother	find 	the	cures?
 (b) Give one example of weather-related common illnesses.
 (c) What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?
 2. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. 
  Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning 
to manage _____________________ and _____________________.
 3. Circle the spice that is not useful for body pain according  
to Daadi’s letter.
 (a) Turmeric (c) Fennel seeds
 (b) Ginger (d) Black pepper 
 4. Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with 
their friends?
 5. What was Daadi’s final 	advice	to	Vikram	and	Vaibhavi?	
 6. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation 
to another?
 7. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties 
of spices?
Now, go into the kitchen and try to identify these herbs and spices. And 
remember, you must consult an elder before you use them. 
My love and aashirwaad to both of you!
Yours 	affectionately,
Daadi
Unit 3.indd   95 13-Jun-24   10:57:52 AM
Page 4


Nurturing Nature
Spice S that h eal US 
Let us do these activities before we read.
 1. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant 
used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three 
spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and 
share your answers with your teacher. 
 (a) _______________ (b) _______________ (c) _______________ 
 2. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what 
you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the 
last column. Share your answers with your teacher.
S.No. Spice Name in your language Name in English
1. Turmeric
2. Fenugreek
3. Cumin seeds
4. Asafoetida
5. Cinnamon
6. Clove
7. Ginger
8. Black pepper
9. Fennel seeds
10. Cardamom
93
Unit 3.indd   93 13-Jun-24   10:57:49 AM
Poorvi—Grade 6
Dear Vikram and Vaibhavi,
Namaste! I just got your message that you are better now. 
I am happy that the natural cures that I had shared, helped you. You should 
try to remember these cures and may share them with your friends. When 
I	was	a	child,	I	learnt	them 	from	my 	grandmother .	She	used	to	find 	home	
remedies for most of the weather-related common illnesses. Let me share 
some	of	the	benefits 	of	the	spices	that	most	of	us	have	in	our	kitchen.	
Let me start with haldi, which is called turmeric in English. It helps in improving 
our energy level and digestion. It helps in reducing body pain too. 
Next, let us take methi, which is called fenugreek in English. You will be 
surprised to know that it helps me in keeping my sugar level and my body 
weight in control. I need to soak the methi seeds overnight and drink the water 
in the morning. 
•	 Jeera (cumin) seeds soaked in water overnight can also improve digestion and 
help cure sleeplessness.
• You know, when you were babies and had gas in your tummy, I used to put 
heeng (asafoetida) water on your tummy to give you some relief. Heeng 
can also help in controlling cough and cold. 
• Dalchini (cinnamon) and laung (clove) give relief when we have toothache 
till we can consult a dentist.
• Adrak (ginger) is another herb that can help us when we have cough and 
cold.  It also gives relief from pain. Do you know, ginger has been used for 
cooking for more than 4000 years? Even today, it is extensively used in 
cooking Indian food.
•		 Kali mirch (black pepper) is also helpful in digestion and can give us relief 
from body pain. 
•	 You may have seen that at the end of a meal, saunf (fennel seeds) and 
ajwain (carom seeds) are served. It is because they help in the digestion of 
food.
•	 Elaichi (cardamom) also helps us with digestion and respiratory troubles 
in addition to curing bad breath.  
 3. Do you know if these spices can be used for something else other than 
cooking? 	Let	us	find 	out	by	reading	the	letter	given	below.	
94
Unit 3.indd   94 13-Jun-24   10:57:51 AM
95
Nurturing Nature
	 Let 	 us 	think 	and	 reflect
 1. Read the given lines and answer the following questions.
  ‘When I was a child, I learnt them from my grandmother. She used to find 
cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen.’ 
	 (a)	Where	exactly	in	the	kitchen	did	her	grandmother	find 	the	cures?
 (b) Give one example of weather-related common illnesses.
 (c) What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?
 2. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. 
  Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning 
to manage _____________________ and _____________________.
 3. Circle the spice that is not useful for body pain according  
to Daadi’s letter.
 (a) Turmeric (c) Fennel seeds
 (b) Ginger (d) Black pepper 
 4. Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with 
their friends?
 5. What was Daadi’s final 	advice	to	Vikram	and	Vaibhavi?	
 6. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation 
to another?
 7. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties 
of spices?
Now, go into the kitchen and try to identify these herbs and spices. And 
remember, you must consult an elder before you use them. 
My love and aashirwaad to both of you!
Yours 	affectionately,
Daadi
Unit 3.indd   95 13-Jun-24   10:57:52 AM
96
Poorvi—Grade 6
 Let us learn
 1. You have read the uses of spices in the letter. Complete the following 
table with the help of your teacher . You may use the words from the box 
given below.
 2. Read the sentences given below. 
	 •	 You	may 	share them with your friends. 
	 •	 You should try to remember these cures.
	 •	 It can help to control cough and cold.
	 •	 You must consult an elder before you use them.
	 •	 I need to soak the methi seeds overnight.
	 •	 I used to put heeng water on your tummy. 
Part of the plant:	root/bark/leaves/flower 	buds/fruit/seeds
Texture: rough/soft/silky
Taste: bitter/sweet/sour/salty/spicy
Spice Name
Part of the 
plant
Colour Texture Taste
Turmeric
Fenugreek
Cinnamon
Clove
Black 
pepper
Cardamom
Unit 3.indd   96 13-Jun-24   10:57:52 AM
Page 5


Nurturing Nature
Spice S that h eal US 
Let us do these activities before we read.
 1. A spice is any seed, fruit, root, bark, leaf or any other part of a plant 
used to give taste and colour to our food. Try to recall the names of three 
spices that are used for cooking in your home. Write them below and 
share your answers with your teacher. 
 (a) _______________ (b) _______________ (c) _______________ 
 2. Given below are pictures of some spices. Work in pairs and write what 
you call them in your language. Their names in English are given in the 
last column. Share your answers with your teacher.
S.No. Spice Name in your language Name in English
1. Turmeric
2. Fenugreek
3. Cumin seeds
4. Asafoetida
5. Cinnamon
6. Clove
7. Ginger
8. Black pepper
9. Fennel seeds
10. Cardamom
93
Unit 3.indd   93 13-Jun-24   10:57:49 AM
Poorvi—Grade 6
Dear Vikram and Vaibhavi,
Namaste! I just got your message that you are better now. 
I am happy that the natural cures that I had shared, helped you. You should 
try to remember these cures and may share them with your friends. When 
I	was	a	child,	I	learnt	them 	from	my 	grandmother .	She	used	to	find 	home	
remedies for most of the weather-related common illnesses. Let me share 
some	of	the	benefits 	of	the	spices	that	most	of	us	have	in	our	kitchen.	
Let me start with haldi, which is called turmeric in English. It helps in improving 
our energy level and digestion. It helps in reducing body pain too. 
Next, let us take methi, which is called fenugreek in English. You will be 
surprised to know that it helps me in keeping my sugar level and my body 
weight in control. I need to soak the methi seeds overnight and drink the water 
in the morning. 
•	 Jeera (cumin) seeds soaked in water overnight can also improve digestion and 
help cure sleeplessness.
• You know, when you were babies and had gas in your tummy, I used to put 
heeng (asafoetida) water on your tummy to give you some relief. Heeng 
can also help in controlling cough and cold. 
• Dalchini (cinnamon) and laung (clove) give relief when we have toothache 
till we can consult a dentist.
• Adrak (ginger) is another herb that can help us when we have cough and 
cold.  It also gives relief from pain. Do you know, ginger has been used for 
cooking for more than 4000 years? Even today, it is extensively used in 
cooking Indian food.
•		 Kali mirch (black pepper) is also helpful in digestion and can give us relief 
from body pain. 
•	 You may have seen that at the end of a meal, saunf (fennel seeds) and 
ajwain (carom seeds) are served. It is because they help in the digestion of 
food.
•	 Elaichi (cardamom) also helps us with digestion and respiratory troubles 
in addition to curing bad breath.  
 3. Do you know if these spices can be used for something else other than 
cooking? 	Let	us	find 	out	by	reading	the	letter	given	below.	
94
Unit 3.indd   94 13-Jun-24   10:57:51 AM
95
Nurturing Nature
	 Let 	 us 	think 	and	 reflect
 1. Read the given lines and answer the following questions.
  ‘When I was a child, I learnt them from my grandmother. She used to find 
cures for most of the weather-related common illnesses in the kitchen.’ 
	 (a)	Where	exactly	in	the	kitchen	did	her	grandmother	find 	the	cures?
 (b) Give one example of weather-related common illnesses.
 (c) What kind of relationship did the speaker have with her grandmother?
 2. Fill in the blanks to complete the sentence. 
  Daadi soaked methi seeds overnight and drank the water in the morning 
to manage _____________________ and _____________________.
 3. Circle the spice that is not useful for body pain according  
to Daadi’s letter.
 (a) Turmeric (c) Fennel seeds
 (b) Ginger (d) Black pepper 
 4. Why did Daadi ask Vikram and Vaibhavi to share the natural cures with 
their friends?
 5. What was Daadi’s final 	advice	to	Vikram	and	Vaibhavi?	
 6. How do we know that natural cures are passed from one generation 
to another?
 7. Why do you think we should know about the healing properties 
of spices?
Now, go into the kitchen and try to identify these herbs and spices. And 
remember, you must consult an elder before you use them. 
My love and aashirwaad to both of you!
Yours 	affectionately,
Daadi
Unit 3.indd   95 13-Jun-24   10:57:52 AM
96
Poorvi—Grade 6
 Let us learn
 1. You have read the uses of spices in the letter. Complete the following 
table with the help of your teacher . You may use the words from the box 
given below.
 2. Read the sentences given below. 
	 •	 You	may 	share them with your friends. 
	 •	 You should try to remember these cures.
	 •	 It can help to control cough and cold.
	 •	 You must consult an elder before you use them.
	 •	 I need to soak the methi seeds overnight.
	 •	 I used to put heeng water on your tummy. 
Part of the plant:	root/bark/leaves/flower 	buds/fruit/seeds
Texture: rough/soft/silky
Taste: bitter/sweet/sour/salty/spicy
Spice Name
Part of the 
plant
Colour Texture Taste
Turmeric
Fenugreek
Cinnamon
Clove
Black 
pepper
Cardamom
Unit 3.indd   96 13-Jun-24   10:57:52 AM
97
Nurturing Nature
The helping verbs in Column A are called modal verbs or 
modals.	Each	modal	verb	has	a	different 	function.
Column A  
Helping verbs
Column B 
Functions
1. may a. past habit
2. should b. suggestion
3. can c. compulsion
4. must d. advice
5. need to e. ability
6. used to f. necessity
 (a) The words given in Column A are helping verbs. Match the 
helping verbs in Column A with their functions in Column B. 
 (b) Complete the following dialogues with any four modals from the 
table given above.
  (Use a modal only once.)
 Ajay : Anand had fever last week. He (i) _____________ take good 
rest.
 Suman : Yes, he (ii) _____________ or he will fall ill again.
 Ajay : He (iii) _____________ take grandmother’s natural cures.
	 Suman	: 	Yes,	we	(iv)	_____________	remember 	how	effective 	they	are.
Unit 3.indd   97 13-Jun-24   10:57:52 AM