I have no doubt who was behind that mess, but they really can't ban all herbs that have claims of medicinal benefits. That will never happen. That ban would include way too many things people actually cook with on a daily basis. There would be rioting in the streets, if people suddenly had to eat flavorless food because all their herbs and seasonings were banned.
Cooking herbs with medical claims include, but is not limited to:
- Garlic: Claims to prevent colds, weight control, treat cold sores, reduce cholesterol, treat diabetes, help respiratory problems, and more.
- Rosemary: Claims to reduce stress, heal stoke damage, boost immune system, relieve pain and more.
- Oregano: Claims to boost immunity, have anti-cancer potential, improve heart health, antibacterial, and more.
- Parsley: Claims to clean kidneys, reduce risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, control diabetes, have anti-cancer properties, reduce symptoms of arthritis, and many more.
- Ginger: Claims to treat cold and flu, reduce arthritis pain, relieve asthma, prevent cancer, boost heart health, control diabetes, and more.
These next two are really going to get you:
- Salt: Claims to improve cardiovascular health, prevent diabetes, promote healthy pregnancy, cure cystic fibrosis, and more.
- Black pepper: Claims to have anti-tumor properties, improve cognitive function, prevent asthma, treat cold and cough, improve digestion, help with weight loss, and more.
The above is just a very short list, but the reality is nearly ALL herbs used in cooking have some claim to medicinal properties. I am not saying they are true or false, just that the claims have been made and they have been marketed as such and thus would have been banned under that law. Think about what Italian food would taste like without any of the Italian herbs. Think about what Mexican food would taste like without Mexican herbs. Think how EVERYTHING would taste without salt and pepper. Now imagine the public outrage when no one can cook their favorite foods any more without it all tasting like bland crap. Yeah I just don't see that one ever happening.