CARDAMOM.
Currently at work writing this article. The dilemma is to either continue with this article or to stop and take care of my day job.
Too late.
I’m already invested in this.
So, happy Friday all!
Halloween is coming up soon! I am super excited. Justin and I are still debating on what we are going to wear but I think we are leaning towards Patty Mayonnaise and Doug. Busting out the ‘90s with this one. What are you dressing as?
I was contemplating dressing up as a spice buttttt I am not that creative on the execution part.
Anyways, Cardamom (otherwise known as elaichi)!
Cardamom is one of my favorite spices! I love the light, sweet flavor.
In Indian cooking there are two main kinds of cardamom that we use, black and green.
Photo courtesy of Healthy Ayurveda
Green is the most popular and what I usually use when I am making chai or lamb. It kind of reminds me of eucalyptus but the taste isn’t as heavy or mentholy, ya know?
When I use cardamom it is usually blended or crushed into whatever I am making.
Black cardamom is slightly different and has more of a smoky taste with a pretty heavy bite. The black is most often kept whole and is taken out of dishes before consuming them.
I’ve bitten into a piece of black cardamom before and it was super bitter and def left a bad taste in my mouth. I recommend using this as more of an aroma for flavoring than actually eating.
Cardamom is considered another one of those SUPER SPICES. It originated in parts of India in the 19th century and has continued to be traded in all parts of Asia, and is now commercially grown in Guatemala and Southeast Asia.
According to Food Facts,“ In ancient medical traditions, cardamom could cure a sore throat, teeth and gum infections, congestion, tuberculosis, stomach, kidney, and lung problems, and also be used as an antidote for spider and snake bites. It’s been long noted, and more recently in lab studies, to successfully treat urinary tract infections – even gonorrhea.
For centuries, cardamom has been touted as having aphrodisiac properties with the ability to cure impotency. In clinics using East Indian medicine practices, five grains of cardamom chewed three times a day is prescribed as a way to kill harmful H. pylori bacteria that causes intestinal infections and chronic pain.
In both early and modern medicine, cardamom is believed to have mood-elevating properties, so it’s used both as an antidepressant and in aromatherapy. It’s said to relieve problems with muscle spasms, and according to studies at the Central Food Technological Research Institute in India, contains several blood clot-preventing components. Studies show that the many layers of phytonutrients in cardamom even offer cancer protection and improved blood circulation, which is heart protective.
Nutritionally, no other vitamin or mineral ingredient in cardamom comes close to the manganese content, which is 80 percent of the recommended value in a single tablespoon. You’ll also find smaller amounts of fiber and iron, as well as plenty of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamine, vitamin A, and zinc.
Volatile oils in this spice are also important, limonene being the most prominent, as well as pinene, sabinene, myrcene, phellandrene, terpinene, terpinolene, linalool, terpinen-4-oil, a-terpineol, a-terpineol acetate, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, and methyl eugenol. Studies show that these oils are the main reason for its effectiveness in treating gastrointestinal disorders.
Photo courtesy of Sunwarrior
Cardamom powder was tested on 20 newly diagnosed individuals with primary stage 1 hypertension to discover its effect on cardiovascular risk factors. Each subject was given three grams of cardamom powder for 12 weeks. Blood pressure was taken initially, and at four-week intervals for three months. Results showed cardamom powder to significantly decrease systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure and significantly increase fibrinolytic (blood clot-inhibiting) activity. Total antioxidant status also increased by 90 percent at the end of three months, without any side effects.
Noted as having the ability to improve digestion, stimulate the metabolism, and inhibit tumor growth, cardamom was examined for other properties in another study. Researchers found it to increase the activity of glutathione, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels, leading scientists to suggest its potential as a pivotal chemopreventive agent to prevent papilloma genesis on the skin, among other positive uses.
Studies were also done on a number of spices to discover their phenolics and antioxidant properties. Cardamom was found to contain high flavonoid levels and significantly enhance antioxidant enzyme activities, as well as inhibit colon cancer cell growth and proliferation. Eugenol content in cardamom also was found to significantly inhibit tobacco-induced mutagenicity, among other health-positive results.”
As I have noted before in other articles here and here oh and here, there is a reason why people continue to use the tradition of spices and Ayurveda as natural remedies. THEY WORK.
My philosophy is, why fix something that’s not broken. If you are able to heal your ailments without popping a pill or seeing a doctor, by taking advantage of things that we have available to us in our home, then yes! SO convenient and super cost effective.
Look at all these other benefits of cardamom!
Health Benefits of Cardamom:
Cardamom acts as a natural breath freshener to help fight halitosis
Inhibits growth and kills cancer cells
A natural detoxifier with diuretic properties
As a natural diuretic it significantly lowers blood pressure
Like most other spices cardamom has natural anti-inflammatory properties
Is an anti-spasmodic which helps cure hiccups
Prevents blood clots with platelet aggregation
Helps relieve cold and flu symptoms
Used to help mouth infections and ulcers
Fights depression as studied in Ayurveda
Control cholesterol by surging lipids in the body
Helps combat nausea and digestion issues
A natural antioxidant
Contains essential oils that inhibit growth of viruses and bacteria
Natural aphrodisiac
Anti – Carcinogenic Properties
Assists with Cardiovascular hypertension
Helps lower Cholesterol
Treats urinary diseases
A remedy for Asthma
Cooking/Health:
The best way to get in your cardamom is by using the spice in food and drinks. Make savory and sweet dishes with this flavorful spice, along with adult beverages (ahhh yeah, get it into some mulled wine) and teas.
Check out my Apple Chutney recipe, so you can slather its cardamomie goodness all over EVERYTHING!
Beauty:
The Bustle, which you all have probably figured out by now, is my go to and favorite site for spice beauty.
This Spicy Milk Cleanser is queeeeen.
Add cardamom to milk and mix with a wooden spoon.
Ingredients:
- 2 tsp. cardamom powder
- 1/3 cup goats milk
Face Preparation:
Wash face, neck and hands and remove any makeup.
Application of the Face Mask:
Gently massage into your face and neck for a few minutes, rinsing with lukewarm water. This cleanser is quite gentle, but start by using it once a week and increase over time once you’ve confirmed your skin is in love with it.
Why is this mask so great?
The tiny grains in the cardamom powder gently exfoliate and draw out blackheads. The goats milk contains lactic acid which removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin.
So there we have it! Another day, another spice.
Stay spicy ya’ll xx
