Cardamom (or Cardamon), also known as Elaichi in Indian, is the name for a plant species and its seeds which is native to India and Southeast Asia.
It is one of the oldest spices in the world and also one of the most popular being the third most expensive spice after saffron and vanilla.. and there is a rich history behind it.
At first cardamom was only grown in South India until the Chinese discovered this tasty spice and decided to start cultivating it as well.
There is also evidence that the ancient Egyptians utilized this spice for medicinal purposes—mostly to heal gums and teeth.
Nowadays, cardamom is usually grown in South India and Guatemala.
Most of the cardamom in today's world is cultivated.
The spice is high in the phytochemical cineole, which can positively affect several bodily complaints.
Cardamom is used for digestion problems including heartburn, intestinal spasms, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal gas, constipation, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite.
It is also used for common cold, cough, bronchitis, sore mouth and throat, and tendency toward infection. Some people use cardamom as a stimulant and for urinary problems.
If you observe a blossoming cardamom plant, you will see many pods coming out of it.
The color of these pods is often green, but they can also have other colors.
The three most important types of cardamom are:
Green Cardamom
Black or brown Cardamom
Ground Cardamom
It is generally agreed upon that green cardamom is the highest quality of cardamom you can find.
The cardamom is then used as spice, tea or medicine.
It is mostly popular as a spice.
The taste can best be described as a sort of strong herb mixed with an orange with a slight hint of cinnamon.
Uses
Green cardamom is used as flavoring in various culinary preparations, especially, cardamom tea, coffee, sweet dishes, meat, curries, etc.
Brown cardamom is mainly used in curries.
Green cardamom is also used as a mastication enhancer, in order to increase saliva and to prevent bad breath.
In short, cardamom is mainly used for three purposes - as food and drink flavorings, as cooking spices and medicine.
Traditional Medicine
Green cardamom is broadly used in South Asia to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive disorders.
It also is used to break up kidney stones and gall stones, and was reportedly used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venom.
Amomum is used as a spice and as an ingredient in traditional medicine in systems of the traditional Chinese medicine in China, in Ayurveda in India, Pakistan, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
Species in the genus Amomum are also used in traditional Indian medicine.
Among other species, varieties and cultivars, Amomum villosum cultivated in China, Laos and Vietnam is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat stomach issues, constipation, dysentery, and other digestion problems.
Cardamom Health Benefits
Cardamom has many health benefits.
According to traditional Ayurvedic medicine, cardamom is effective in improving digestion.
It helps those suffering from stomach cramps.
It is a good stimulant and beneficial for those suffering from flatulence and gas.
Cardamom also helps in cleansing the body as it has detoxifying properties.
It is basically a warm spice and known to have originated from India.
It improves blood circulation to the lungs and can be helpful in prevention of spasms or convulsions.
Hence, cardamom in small quantities is beneficial for those suffering from asthma or bronchitis.
Cardamom enhances appetite and provides relief from acidity in the stomach.
It is used in the cure of halitosis.
It is beneficial for those suffering from various kinds of respiratory allergies.
When you have sore throat, you can try out a little quantity of this medicinal spice.
Those suffering from nausea as well as excessive threat can also try out cardamom.
Along with some other medicines, it can be used for treating mouth ulcers.
It is known to be a good cure for weakness in general.
Some practitioners of Ayurevda also advise its use for treating infection of the urinary tract.
The quantity of cardamom which need to be consumed depends on the physiology of a person and the disease which is to be treated or cured from.
Traditionally, the typical dose of cardamom is 1.5 grams of the ground seeds per day.
As a digestive, a tea prepared from 1 teaspoon of freshly crushed cardamom seeds infused in 1 cup boiled water for 10-15 minutes has been used.
Other health benefits of cardamom:
This exotic spice contains many plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have anti-oxidant, disease preventing and health promoting properties.
The spicy pods contain many essential volatile oils that include pinene, sabinene, myrcene, phellandrene, limonene, 1, 8-cineole, terpinene, p-cymene, terpinolene, linalool, linalyl acetate, terpinen-4-oil, a-terpineol, a-terpineol acetate, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, methyl eugenol, and trans-nerolidol.
The therapeutic properties of cardamom-oil have found application in many traditional medicines as antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic.
Cardamom is a good source of minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
Potassium in an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure.
Copper is required in the production of red blood cells.
It is also an excellent source of manganese and iron.
Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.
The pods are rich in many vital vitamins including riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C that are essential for optimum health.
Cardamom is used in treating digestive disorders.
It is said to be beneficial in relieving heartburn, bloating and indigestion.
Cardamom is also found to be good for improving appetite as well as metabolism and to prevent stomach infections.
Cardamom is said to be good for the kidneys, as this spice promotes urination, lowers blood pressure and also removes accumulated calcium and urea in the kidneys, along with other toxins. It is also used in the treatment of genital and urinary infections.
Oral health is another area, where cardamom is found to be useful.
Apart from fighting tooth and gum infections, cardamom is also effective in preventing bad breath.
Cardamom has warming effects too.
This spice is said to heat up the body, helps in expelling cough and to relieve headache caused by extreme cold.
Cardamom is used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and impotence.
Cardamom has a detoxifying effect and is also used for its antiseptic and antimicrobial actions.
Apart from that, cardamom benefits include its use in treating muscular and respiratory spasms.
Cardamon in research:
Cardamom has very powerful antioxidant properties.
Antioxidants are used to treat many diseases of the brain such as Parkinson's disease because the brain is one of the organs that does not do well when it doesn't have enough oxidation.
Since cardamom has the properties of an antioxidant and can augment the amount of glutathione in the system, it serves as a powerful antioxidant.
Studies reveals that cardamom has complex properties that can help combat cancer.
This is due to the C9H9NO and 3,3′-diindolylmethane content inherit to cardamom.
These are found in all types of vegetables and cardamom is no exception, so it can be used to fight against all types of cancers.
Another study performed on hamsters at Chung Hsing University in Taiwan shows that cardamom spice actually helps the stomach.
It greatly aids in the process of releasing toxins and it quickly increases bowel movement.
In this study, it was demonstrated that the hamsters who consumed the cardamom spice had seriously reduced levels of beta-D-glucuronidase(up to 85%).
Beta-D-glucuronidase is basically the same chemical that runs in sewers across the world, and of course it's not good for your health.
Cardamom spice helps release this toxin from your body to a very great degree.
Yet another study performed on rats in New Delhi proved that cardamom greatly aids in the traction of the stomach and increases bowel movement.
Another study performed at the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute also reveals that cardamom has a very powerful effect on cancer.
Put simply, Cardamom contains powerful antioxidants and it is generally recommended as a tool to help combat cancer.
It's also good for the purpose of releasing toxins from the stomach, so there's really no reason not to consume Cardamom.
This herbal spice is also calming, and drinking cardamom tea is highly enjoyable its various forms(green cardamom, black cardamom, ground cardamom, etc).
Cardamom Side Effects & Safety Concerns
The majority of people who use cardamom as a digestive aid or as a natural food spice do not experience any side effects.
Health officials note that while cardamom is safe for most users, the side effects of this herbal medicine are relatively unknown.
Patients who are concerned about cardamom side effects should discuss any questions they have with a medical professional before beginning to use this medicinal herb.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Cardamom seems to be safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women in food amounts.
But larger medicinal amounts should be avoided until more is known.
Gallstones: Do not take cardamom in amounts greater than those typically found in food if you have gallstones.
The cardamom seed can trigger gallstone colic (spasmodic pain).
Patients who have gallbladder stones may experience sensations of abdominal pain after taking a dose of cardamom. Patients with medical conditions that involve the gallbladder should contact a doctor for further guidance before beginning treatment with cardamom.
Allergy: Patients who take cardamom may experience an allergic reaction to this medicinal herb.
Side effects of an allergic reaction are serious and can include breathing difficulties, chest discomfort, hives or swelling of the skin.
Patients who experience any of these allergic reaction side effects after taking cardamom should seek emergency medical care immediately to prevent additional medical complications.
