Paprika.. in Dracula's home town many dishes are made with this particular spice. For color and flavor. But this is not mentioned in this book. Although indirectly it is.
Salicylic acid- used to treat acne, warts, dandruff, psoriasis, and similiar conditions. In warts, a strong solution is used. It softens the wart and stimulates the immune system to attack the underlying cause of warts, the human papillomavirus.
Salicylic acid reacts with acetic acid (vinegar) to produce acetylsalicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. It also reacts with methanol to form methyl salicylate, oil of wintergreen.
Salicylic acid is common in broccoli,... peppers, curry, cucumbers, and raisins, + .
Salicylic acids reduce inflamation, including inflamation of the arteries.
I mention Dracula for a particular reason. During the past (I don't know if this is still true) there was a great occurance in the populus of gout, goiter, and such related ailments. They used this spice in a great deal of the recipies. Just a note of thought of coincidence, may be unrelated.