Cardamom is a seed pod, known since antiquity for its culinary and medicinal properties. The spice is native to evergreen rain forest of southern India and now grown in only few tropical countries. Botanically, it belongs to the family of "zingiberaceae" and consists of two genera; elettaria and amomum.

Genarally, the plant grows up to 4 meters in length and starts bearing fruits known as seed pods after about two years of implantation. Each pod measuring about 1-2 cm in length.
Both varieties of cardamom feature three sided pods with a thin papery outer cover and small black seeds that are arranged in vertical rows. Elettaria pods are small and light green in colour, while Amomum pods are larger and dark brown. The pods are being used as flavouring base in both food and drink, in cooking recipes and as well as in medicine.
Black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) also known as Nepal cardamom is relatively big sized pod of same zingiberaceae family. The pod has dark brown rough outer coat, measure about 2-4 cm in length and 1-2 cm in diameter. The pods have camphor like intense flavour commonly used in spicy stews in sub Himalayan plains of India, Pakistan, Nepal as well as in China.

Health benefits

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, vitamin-C that are essential for optimum health.

Anti-Carcinogenic Properties: Cancer, especially colorectal cancer, is probably the main reasons for death around the world. The rising price of standard cancer therapy and also the subsequent negative effects have motivated researchers to consider alternatives which are sustainable. Studies carried out by Sengupta et al. at Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata have demonstrated that dietary cardamom had a positive result in counteracting colorectal cancer to an extent of 48%.

Good for Cardiovascular Health: Scientific studies carried out in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceuticals at the College of Pharmacy of King Saud University, Saudi Arabia demonstrated that cardamom administration for cardiovascular conditions led to a reduced heartbeat or even managed rhythm, and control of hypertension.

Control of Cholesterol: The micronutrients present in cardamom can counteract the rush of lipids within 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 are fed a high-fat diet. The antioxidant enzymes had an effect on the cholesterol levels as well as assisted in considerably controlling them.

Anti-Depressant: Cardamom is also thought to have got anti-depressant qualities. Cardamom essential oil is among the major oils utilized in aromatherapy. You can use it not just for depression, but additionally as a treatment for many other diseases which range from stomach disorders to pulmonary diseases.

Treating Urinary Disorders: In Ayurveda, cardamom has been utilized like a treatment for urinary tract diseases as well as infections like cystitis, nephritis, and gonorrhoea.

Protection Against Gastrointestinal Diseases:  Cardamom have been typically utilized in Ayurveda, Chinese medicine and also the Unani system like a cure for gastrointestinal disorders. The methanolic extract from cardamom is the ingredient that works well for managing gastrointestinal problems like acidity, flatulence, and stomach cramps. Studies conducted by Jamal et al. in the Department of Chemistry, Jamia Hamdard, in New Delhi, India have concluded that the extracted volatile oils from cardamom have demonstrated positive effects on gastrointestinal disorders.

Cardamom for Cold and Flu: Cardamom could be consumed whenever a person is struggling with cold, bronchitis, asthma and cough. This particular powerful as well as stinky spice features a calming and warm effect. It will help in releasing phlegm and therefore assists against blocked nose and throat. Cardamom tea along with honey is really a wonder potion throughout winters and may help with reducing headaches.

Antimicrobial Properties: For a lot of millennia, cardamom was considered to have got infection-fighting qualities. For contemporary science, this means that cardamom consists of anti-microbial qualities. This particular theory was tested in the Van Yüzüncü Yil University by Ag Aoglu et al. Experiments were conducted on the volatile extracts of cardamom. It absolutely was observed that the oils from cardamom were able to inhibit the growth and spread of some of the very dangerous microbes that frequently result in food poisoning.

Anti-Spasmodic Properties: Muscle spasms are frequently reported by older people. A sudden contraction of the muscles leads to these spasms. When the muscles contract, they are able to result in an unexpected emergence of pain. Researchers Al-Zuhair et al. in the King Saud University in Saudi Arabia have carried out animal-based research and concluded that cardamom can be used as a controlling measure for muscle spasms.

Dental Diseases: Cardamom has been utilized in Ayurveda in addition to traditional Chinese medicine for coping with dental issues for a lot of centuries. After the invention of anti-biotics, it absolutely was discovered that these types of anti-biotics produced combined outcomes, in addition to negative effects. Several negative effects incorporated the inhibition of friendly probiotic bacteria thriving in the intestines. However, the usage of spices, on the other hand, is perfect simply because they hinder only contagious microbes, not the probiotic bacteria. A survey carried out by Isao Kubo, Masaki Himejima, and Hisae Muroi at the Division of Entomology and Parasitology at the University of California has confirmed the existence of anti-microbial qualities in cardamom.

Anti-Asthmatic Property: Cardamom may also be used like a treatment for asthma along with other respiratory system issues. One research has demonstrated that the raw extracts from cardamom were efficient enough in opening up narrowed wind pipes in lab animals. These were also good at causing relaxation to the tracheal tissues. This particular preliminary research have been positive, and also justifies further analysis.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties: In accordance with Ayurveda, cardamom is wonderful for muscle and joint pain. Current experimental evidence shows that cardamom possesses anti-inflammatory as well as anti-carcinogenic properties.

Detoxification: The metabolic processes within our body release toxins and also to assist detoxify the body, try this Ayurvedic detox diet. Alternatively you could include elaichi in your daily meal and tea, to reap its advantages. That has to be nullified and eliminated to remain healthy. Otherwise, these accumulated toxins may cause a number of illnesses, which includes cancer and premature aging. Cardamom is recognized to behave as a detoxifying agent. The essential oils and also biochemical contained in cardamom offer detoxifying effects. A report carried out by Das et al. demonstrated that cardamom was effective towards cancer cells.

Improved Blood Circulation: In traditional therapies such as aromatherapy, cardamom has been utilized to avoid the signs of asthma and also bronchitis by enhancing blood circulation to the lungs. The essential oil extracted from cardamom have been examined in groups of people with stress and it has been discovered that cardamom is beneficial to promote blood circulation within the body. The study was undertaken in the Nitte University in Mangalore, India.

Good for Nausea and Vomiting: Traditionally, cardamom has been utilized like a treatment for nausea. Cardamom is an efficient tonic and stimulant and is also great for soothing the sensations of nausea and vomiting.

Sore Throat: For sore throats, cardamom behaves as a great remedy. Cardamom as well as cinnamon can both be boiled in water and could be utilized to gargle every morning to manage painful sore throats.

Hiccups: Hiccups can be quite irritating, specifically for children. There are many treatments recommended in folk medicine and one of the most popular among them is startling an individual who is hiccupping. This might or might not work most of the time. However, cardamom is yet another extremely effective treatment. Take few pods of cardamom and boil them in water. By consuming this water, you can get rid of hiccups.

Breath Freshener: Cardamom pods as well as seeds could be chewed like a breath freshener. The flavours and aroma present in cardamom are caused by the existence of essential oil. It’s no surprise that the essential oil of cardamom is being utilized as a well-known ingredient in chewing gum!

Improves digestion : Ever wondered why elaichi is really a staple accessory for saunf after meal? Well, this is because elaichi  is carminative naturally and enables speed up digestion, decreases swelling of the stomach lining, combats heart burn as well as nausea. It is known to assuage the mucous membranes, which makes it function better therefore reducing the signs and symptoms of acidity as well as an upset stomach. Moreover, in accordance with Ayurvedic texts additionally, it decreases the water and air properties within the stomach which makes it more effective at absorbing food efficiently.

Fights anaemia: Another major element of elaichi is copper, iron and also important vitamins just like riboflavin, vitamin C and niacin. Noted for its enormous significance within the manufacture of red blood cells and cellular metabolism, copper, riboflavin, vitamin C and niacin in addition to iron are wonderful to combat anaemia as well as reducing the signs and symptoms that certain experiences because of the condition.

Improves your sex life: Elaichi is a powerful tonic as well as stimulant. It will not only help to bolster the body additionally, it combats sexual dysfunctions just like premature ejaculation and impotency. It doesn’t only reduce the problem it may also help you feel lively and last longer in bed.

Regularizes Heart Rate: Packed with minerals just like potassium, calcium and magnesium, cardamom is wonderful for your heart. Potassium is probably the primary elements of the blood, body fluids and cells.

Sufficient potassium is needed to regularize your heart rate and keep your blood pressure in balance. Additionally, cardamom can avoid platelet aggregation and inflammation, in turn lowering the chance of blood clots as well as strokes.

Drink two cups of cardamom tea daily to savour its heart-healthy benefits.

Genito-urinary disorders: The powdered seeds combined with a teaspoon of banana leaf powder as well as amla juice taken 3 times a day assists as an outstanding diuretic for gonorrhoea [purulent inflammation of the urethra or the vagina], cystitis [inflammation of the urinary bladder], nephritis [inflammation of the kidneys], and burning or even occasional urination.

Impotency: The spice is effective in sexual dysfunctions just like impotency as well as early ejaculation. A nightly dose of the pinch of powdered cardamom seeds boiled in milk, as well as sweetened with honey, might yield superb results. However, too much use of cardamom has negative effects.