Introducing Cardamom: Origins, History, and Value
Cardamom (or Cardamon), also known as Elaichi, is the name for a plant species and its seeds native to India and Southeast Asia. It is one of the world’s oldest spices and 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 started cultivating it. 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’s Health Benefits: Traditional and Modern Uses
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. These pods are often green, but they can also have other colours. 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 cardamom you can find. The cardamom is then used as spice, tea, or medicine. It is primarily popular as a spice. The taste is a pungent herb mixed with an orange with a slight hint of cinnamon.
Exploring Cardamom's Therapeutic 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 a mastication enhancer to increase saliva and prevent bad breath. In short, cardamom is primarily used for three purposes – as food and drink flavourings, as cooking spices and as 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 digestive disorders. It is also used to break up kidney and gall stones and was reportedly used as an antidote for snake and scorpion venom. Amomum is used as a spice and an ingredient in traditional medicine 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 efficacious 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 a warm spice known to have originated from India. It improves blood circulation to the lungs and can be helpful in the prevention of spasms or convulsions. Hence, small quantities of cardamom benefit 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. You can try out a small quantity of this medicinal spice when you have a sore throat. 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 Ayurveda also advise its use for treating urinary tract infections.
The quantity of cardamom that needs to be consumed depends on a person’s physiology and the disease that is to be treated or cured. Traditionally, the typical dose of cardamom is 1.5 grams of ground seeds per day. As a digestive, a tea prepared from 1 teaspoon of freshly crushed cardamom seeds infused in 1 cup of boiled water for 10-15 minutes has been used.
Other Health Benefits of Cardamom:
- This exotic spice contains many plant-derived chemical compounds with anti-oxidant, disease-prevention, 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 such as antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic, and tonic.
- Cardamom is a good source of potassium, calcium, and magnesium minerals. Potassium is essential to cells and body fluids that help 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, a potent free radical scavenger. Iron is required for red blood cell formation.
- The pods are rich in vital vitamins, including riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C, 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 and metabolism and preventing stomach infections.
- Cardamom is said to be good for the kidneys, as this spice promotes urination, lowers blood pressure, and removes accumulated calcium and urea in the kidneys and 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 the body, help expel cough, and relieve headaches 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. Cardamom’s benefits include its use in treating muscular and respiratory spasms.
Cardamom Side Effects & Safety Concerns
Most people who use cardamom as a digestive aid or 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 safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women in food amounts. However, more significant medicinal amounts should be avoided until more is known.
Gallstones: Do not take cardamom in amounts more significant 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 skin swelling. Patients who experience any of these allergic reaction side effects after taking cardamom should seek emergency medical care immediately to prevent additional medical complications.