7 Incredible Benefits of Cardamom – Plus Delicious Recipes
MAY 23, 2018 By Dr. Josh Axe
Have you ever tasted cardamom.
Do you even know?
Maybe you're you now thinking, what is cardamom?
Often referred to as the "Queen of Spices," cardamom or elaichi is one of the most common
spices seen in an Indian household, but it's loved and used all around the world.
The seeds have a warm, highly aromatic flavor that add a unique, sweet, floral flavor to
any food or drink.
This spice is also widely used as a digestive aid and natural breath freshener!
"Cardamom fresh" not "minty fresh" breath is a result of the common chewing of
the pods by men and women in India.
There are three types of cardamom: green, black and Madagascar.
Most recipes usually call for green cardamom.
Overall, it's more expensive than average spices, but don't worry because a little
goes a very long way
Cardamom is rich in powerful phytonutrients and is especially high in manganese, a trace
mineral that helps the body form connective tissue, bones and sex hormones.
It's also crucial for normal nerve and brain function and plays a role in carbohydrate
metabolism, fat metabolism, calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation.
Just one tablespoon of cardamom supplies 80 percent of your body's daily manganese requirements!
It truly is an amazing medicinal spice that even shows promise for the natural treatment
of cancer and diabetes.
I bet you'll be surprised just how medicinal this spice can be!
7 Cardamom Benefits Cardamom can naturally help many common as
well as serious health concerns, including:
1.
Bad Breath
Cardamom is a very effective remedy against a common problem known as halitosis or bad
breath.
Simply chewing on the seeds can help to eliminate any bad odors coming from your mouth.
Some chewing gums even include it as an ingredient for this very reason.
Recently, in a study conducted by the Department of Microbiology at Kurukshetra University
in India done to explore the antimicrobial effects of cardamom extracts on oral bacteria,
it was found that the extracts are effective against oral pathogenic bacteria likeStreptococcus
mutans and Candida albicans.
(1) Additionally, the major active component of cardamom oil, cineole, is a potent antiseptic
known for killing the bacteria causing bad breath and other infections.
So if you're looking how to get rid of bad breath, look no further.
2.
Cavities
Not only can cardamom kill the bacteria that causes bad breath, but it might also help
prevent cavity development on your teeth or even reserve cavities and tooth decay.
It has all the cleansing benefits of a chewing gum but without any of the negatives (like
stickiness).
Not only can it kill bacteria in your mouth, but with its somewhat sharp yet pleasant flavor
the chewing of cardamom can also encourage a cleansing saliva flow while the fibrous
outer coating of the pod can provide a mechanical cleaning of your teeth.
(2)
3.
Cancer
Cardamom even shows promise when it comes to cancer, exhibiting potential as a natural
cancer treatment.
Animal studies have shown that it can be used as a chemopreventive agent or something that's
used to inhibit, delay or reverse cancer formation.
A 2012 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food showed that cardamom had a positive effect
on skin health in animals.
Researchers found that there was a significant reduction in the occurrence and number of
tumors with oral administration of cardamom powder.
The study concludes that cardamom has potential as a chemopreventive agent against two-stage
skin cancer.
(3)
Cardamom has also demonstrated the ability to decrease azoxymethane-induced colon cancer
with its ability to decrease general inflammation, inhibit cancer cell growth and encourage cancer
cell death.
There is also evidence that it may have anticancer benefits by encouraging healthy and appropriate
immune responses within the body.
(4)
4.
Blood Pressure
Cardamom might be able to help you lower your blood pressure, which is key to maintaining
the health of your heart and kidneys.
A study conducted by the Indigenous Drug Research Center at RNT Medical College's Department
of Medicine in India and published the Indian Journal of Biochemistry & Biophysics evaluated
20, newly diagnosed individuals with primary stage 1 hypertension and the effect of giving
them three grams of cardamom powder daily in two divided doses for 12 weeks.
The results were great.
Not only did cardamom help to decrease systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure, but it
also increased total antioxidant status by 90 percent at the end of three months.
(5)
5.
Diabetes
The high manganese content in this spice makes it an excellent choice for diabetics and anyone
struggling with blood sugar issues.
Research has shown that individuals diagnosed with diabetes have low blood levels of the
trace mineral manganese.
It's unclear if having diabetes causes levels to drop or if low levels of manganese contribute
to developing diabetes.
Either way, adding additional manganese to the diet is a smart idea for diabetics, which
is why you should use this spice as part of your diabetic diet plan.
(6)
One clinical study found that people with diabetes who had higher blood levels of manganese
were more protected from LDL or "bad" cholesterol than those with lower levels of
manganese as well.
All this together shows that this spice is effective at combatting the onset of diabetes.
(7)
6.
Digestive System
Cardamom is a traditional remedy in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of
digestive issues like stomach aches, but there is also science to back this common usage.
Studies have shown that cardamom ranks above other spices when it comes to assisting the
various stages of digestion.
(8)
The methanolic extract from the spice is the component that helps in controlling gastrointestinal
disorders, such as acidity, flatulence and stomach cramps.
Studies have shown that it has gastroprotective effects, including helping stomach ulcers
caused by ethanol (found in alcoholic beverages) and aspirin.
(9)
7.
Asthma
Cardamom can also provide relief for people struggle with breathing issues like asthma.
One animal study indicated that it exhibits bronchodilatory effects, which means it's
a substance that dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, decreasing resistance in the respiratory airway
and increasing airflow to the lungs.
Basically, cardamom was shown to help make breathing easier, which of course is the main
goal for anyone suffering from asthma or any shortness of breath.
(10)
Cardamom Nutrition Cardamom refers to herbs within the Elettaria
(green) and Amomum (black) genera of the ginger (Zingiberaceae) family.
One tablespoon of ground cardamom contains about (11, 12):
18 calories 4 grams carbohydrates
0.6 gram protein 0.4 gram fat
1.6 grams fiber 1.6 milligrams manganese (80 percent DV)
0.8 milligrams iron (4.4 percent DV) 13 milligrams magnesium (3.3 percent DV)
0.4 milligrams zinc (2.7 percent DV) 22 milligrams calcium (2.2 percent DV)
65 milligrams potassium (1.9 percent DV) 10 milligrams phosphorus (1 percent DV)
Cardamom vs. Coriander Cardamom and coriander are two spices that
have many similar benefits.
For instance, they're both used to naturally treat high blood sugar and diabetes, high
blood pressure, and digestive issues, and they both have a floral flavor.
In addition, there are five digestive spices in Ayurveda that have been used for thousands
of years with incredible success.
Coriander and cardamom are both on this list.
The other three are fennel, cumin and ginger.
However, there are also some distinct differences between these two spices, such as:
Cardamom
Made from the seed pods of various plants in the ginger family
Indigenous to Southern Asia and India Used in Ayurveda for balancing doshas and
is considered a warming spice Introduced to North America by British Colonial
settlers in 1670 Guatemala is currently the largest producer
Used as a natural remedy for bad breath, cavities, and asthma
Coriander
Comes from the seed of the cilantro plant Native to the Mediterranean and other points
in Southern Europe to Northern Africa and all the way to Western Asia
Used in Ayurveda for balancing doshas and is considered a cooling spice
Brought to the Americas via Guatemala initially by a German coffee planter in 1914
India is currently the largest producer Used as a food-poisoning preventative, helps
treat UTI's and improves cholesterol levels
Cardamom Recipes & Uses Ground cardamom is readily available and found
in grocery stores, but it's best to buy it in the form of whole pods if you can find
them (and have the time to do a little spice grinding).
A benefit of the pods is that they stay fresh longer and are more potent.
This spice can be stored for up to a year when purchased in the pod form and can be
ground with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder.
There are three types of cardamom: green, black and Madagascar.
Most recipes call for the green variety.
It generally has a strong, slightly sweet and floral flavor.
A high-quality cardamom can be an expensive spice to buy, similar to true cinnamon and
vanilla, but it's so potent that typically only a teaspoon or less is needed in recipes
— so it will last a while.
It can be used whole or steeped in hot water and various liquids to create teas and other
infused beverages.
The seed can also be removed from the pod to be ground and added into various dishes
and smoothies.
This spice pairs well with flavors like cinnamon, vanilla, almond, ginger, clove, coconut and
rose.
It adds a complex depth when combined with these flavors.
It's a popular additive in the Indian chai tea.
It can also be used in savory stews and soups, all types of breads, as well as sweeter dishes
like puddings, cakes, pancakes and pies.
It's a great spice to use for steeping in hot liquids like green and mint teas or cold
smoothies too.
Try my delicious and easy herbal Chai Tea Recipe with the addition of one to two pods
of cardamom to steep and remove before drinking, or grind the seeds of one pod and add in with
the other spices.
You can try the following cardamom recipes as well:
Warm Autumn Salad Recipe Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Recipe
Grain-Free Oatmeal Recipe Spicy Kale Chips Recipe
Interesting Facts & History of Cardamom Cardamom is native to the moist forests of
southern India.
The fruit can be collected from wild plants, but most is cultivated in India, Sri Lanka
and Guatemala.
The tall plants flower for eight to nine months each year.
The pods or capsules ripen slowly and must be picked when they are three-quarters of
the way ripe.
After harvesting, the pods are then washed and dried.
The method of drying dictates the final color of cardamom.
White indicates the pods have been dried for many days in the sun leaving them bleached.
Green pods have been dried for one day and night in a heated room.
The three seeds inside each pod are considered the cardamom spice.
By the early 21st century, Guatemala became the largest producer of this spice in the
world, with an average annual production between 25,000 and 29,000 tons.
The plant was introduced there in 1914 by Oscar Majus Kloeffer, a German coffee planter.
India was formerly the largest producer, but since 2000 the country has become the second
largest producer worldwide.
It's a popular ingredient in South Asian dishes, especially curries, and in Scandinavian
pastries.
Sometimes the name "cardamom" is used for other similar spices of the ginger family
(Amomum, Aframomum, Alpinia) that are used in African and Asian cuisines or for commercial
adulterants of true cardamoms.
The essential oil occurs in the cells underlying the epidermis of the seed coat.
The oil content of a seed varies from 2 percent to 10 percent with its principal components
being cineole and α-terpinyl acetate.
Cardamom oil is used to flavor pharmaceuticals and also as fragrance in perfumes, soaps,
detergents and other body care products.
Cardamom Precautions Cardamom is very safe when taken by mouth
in normal food amounts.
There are no known common, potential side effects when it's ingested in normal food
amounts.
If you have gallstones, then you should not take cardamom in medicinal quantities.
The seed may trigger spasmodic pain for gallstone sufferers.
The safety in medicinal amounts for pregnant and nursing moms is unclear.
If you're pregnant or breast-feeding ,then it's best to have cardamom in food amounts
and not medicinal amounts.
Cardamom Takeaways Known as the "Queen of Spices," cardamom
is a favorite in Indian both for its culinary and medicinal value.
It can be purchased whole in pods or pre-ground.
This spice can be added to a wide range of food and beverages, including
hot teas, curries, stews, smoothies and desserts.
It's especially high in the trace mineral manganese, providing 80 percent of your daily
requirements in just one tablespoon.
It also contains fiber, iron, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium and phosphorus.
Studies have shown that cardamom can be an effective natural treatment for lowering blood
pressure, which benefits heart and kidney health.
Research has shown that it can kill bacteria in the mouth that contributes to bad breath
and cavities.
This spice has shown potential when it comes to the natural treatment of diabetes, cancer
and asthma.
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