Contents
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.
Benefits
- Anti-Carcinogenic Properties: Cancer, particularly colorectal cancer, is one of the leading causes of death around the world. The rising cost of conventional cancer therapy and the subsequent side effects have encouraged researchers to look for alternatives that are sustainable. Studies conducted by Sengupta et al. at Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata have shown that dietary cardamom had a positive result in counteracting colorectal cancer to an extent of 48%.
- Good for Cardiovascular Health: Research studies conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceuticals at the College of Pharmacy of King Saud University, Saudi Arabia showed that cardamom administration for cardiovascular conditions resulted in a lower heartbeat or controlled rhythm, and control of hypertension.
- Control of Cholesterol: The micronutrients found in cardamom can counteract the surge of lipids in the body. In experiments conducted at the Pharmacology and Toxicology Division at Hindustan Antibiotics Limited in Pune, India by Dhuley, hepatic and cardiac antioxidant enzymes from cardamom were administered to mice, which were fed a high-fat diet. The antioxidant enzymes had an influence on the cholesterol levels and helped in significantly controlling them.
- Anti-Depressant: Cardamom is also believed to possess anti-depressant properties. Cardamom essential oil is one of the major oils used in aromatherapy. It can be used not only for depression, but also as a cure for various other diseases ranging from stomach disorders to pulmonary diseases.
- Treating Urinary Disorders: In Ayurveda, cardamom has been used as a remedy for urinary tract diseases and infections such as cystitis, nephritis, and gonorrhea.
- Protection Against Gastrointestinal Diseases:Cardamom has been traditionally used in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and the Unani system as a remedy for gastrointestinal disorders. The methanolic extract from cardamom is the component that helps in controlling gastrointestinal disorders such as acidity, flatulence, and stomach cramps. Studies conducted by Jamal et al. at the Department of Chemistry, Jamia Hamdard, in New Delhi, India have concluded that the extracted volatile oils from cardamom have shown positive effects on gastrointestinal disorders.
- Antimicrobial Properties: For many millennia, cardamom was thought to possess infection-fighting properties. For modern science, it means that cardamom contains antimicrobial properties. This theory was tested at the Van Yüzüncü Yil University by Ağ Aoğlu et al. Experiments were conducted on the volatile extracts of cardamom. It was observed that the oils from cardamom were able to inhibit the growth and spread of some of the very dangerous microbes that regularly cause food poisoning.
- Anti-Spasmodic Properties: Muscle spasms are often reported by older people. A sudden contraction of the muscles causes these spasms. When the muscles contract, they can result in a sudden emergence of pain.Researchers Al-Zuhair et al. at the King Saud University in Saudi Arabia have performed animal-based research and concluded that cardamom can be used as a controlling measure for muscle spasms.
- Dental Diseases: Cardamom has been used in Ayurveda as well as traditional Chinese medicine for dealing with dental problems for many centuries. After the invention of antibiotics, it was found that these antibiotics produced mixed results, as well as side effects. Some side effects included the inhibition of friendly probiotic bacteria thriving in the intestines. However, the use of spices, on the other hand, is ideal because they inhibit only infectious microbes, not the probiotic bacteria. A study conducted by Isao Kubo, Masaki Himejima, and Hisae Muroi at the Division of Entomology and Parasitology at the University of California has verified the presence of antimicrobial properties in cardamom.
- Anti-Asthmatic Property: Cardamom can also be used as a remedy for asthma and other respiratory issues. One study has shown that the crude extracts from cardamom were effective enough in opening up constricted wind pipes in lab animals. They were also effective in causing relaxation to the tracheal tissues. This preliminary study has been positive, and warrants further investigation.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: According to Ayurveda, cardamom is good for muscle and joint pain. Recent experimental evidence suggests that cardamom possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.
- Detoxification: The metabolic processes in our body release toxins and free radicals that have to be nullified and flushed out to remain healthy. Otherwise, these accumulated toxins can cause several diseases, including cancer and premature aging. Cardamom is known to act as a detoxifying agent. The essential oils and biochemicals present in cardamom provide detoxifying effects. A study conducted by Das et al. showed that cardamom was effective against cancer cells.
- Improved Blood Circulation: In traditional therapies such as aromatherapy, cardamom has been used to cure symptoms of asthma and bronchitis by improving blood circulation to the lungs. The essential oil extracted from cardamom has been tested in groups of individuals with stress and has been found that cardamom is effective in promoting blood circulation in the body. The research was undertaken at the Nitte University in Mangalore, India.
- Good for Nausea and Vomiting: Traditionally, cardamom has been used as a remedy for nausea. Cardamom is an effective tonic and stimulant and is good for calming the sensations of nausea and vomiting.
- Aphrodisiac Properties: Since cardamom gives out a sweet flavor, it was traditionally believed to possessaphrodisiac properties. Not only is cardamom regarded as an aphrodisiac, but it is also believed to possess the cure for impotency and premature ejaculation.
- Sore Throat: For sore throats, cardamom acts as a good remedy. Cardamom and cinnamon can both be boiled in water and can be used to gargle every morning to control painful sore throats.
- Hiccups: Hiccups can be very annoying, especially for children. There are several remedies prescribed in folk medicine and one of the most popular among them is startling a person who is hiccupping. This may or may not work most of the time. However, cardamom is another very effective remedy. Take few pods of cardamom and boil them in water. By drinking this water, one can get rid of hiccups.
- Breath Freshener: Cardamom pods and seeds can be chewed as a breath freshener. The flavors and aroma found in cardamom are due to the presence of essential oil. It is no wonder that the essential oil of cardamom is being used as a popular ingredient in chewing gum!
Cautions
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking cardamom in medicinal amounts if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
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).
Interactions
- None are recorded.
Other names
Amomum cardamomum, Bai Dou Kou, Black Cardamom, Cardamome, Cardamome de Malabar, Cardamome Noire, Cardamome de Sri Lanka, Cardamome Verte, Cardamomo, Cardamom Essential Oil, Cardomom, Cardomomi Fructus, Ela, Elettaria cardamomum, Green Cardamom, Huile Essentielle de Cardamome, Indian Cardamom, Lesser Cardamom
References
Source: WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-614-cardamom.aspx?activeingredientid=614&activeingredientname=cardamom
OrganicFacts, https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/health-benefits-of-cardamom.html