Cardamom - Nutritional Properties, Medicinal Benefits and folklore of Queen of Spices
Cardamom commonly called Elaichi, is the dried ripe fruit of the cardamom plant. In the olden days, it was used as a breath freshener and also as a perfume. The Arabs welcome their guests with ‘gahwa’ - a strong cardamom coffee concoction, which is a symbol of hospitality for them.
Cardamom, native to South India is widely used as a spice. It seems to be an exotic spice, its market value is gossiped over in the economic times. It’s made in such a way that the green pods protect the rich pungent aromatic taste this spice withholds. The pods are just a trailer, its only once that you open them , the magic of the queen of spices is revealed. Very similar to the tough-looking coconut which in fact beholds nature’s most refreshing drink!
Cardamom, like other spices, too has got some health benefits. Read on for some interesting and effective home-remedies using cardamom.
Cardamom - Medicinal Properties
Had a late night craving? Did you binge on spicy oily food and now suffering from acidity? The medical shop near your home will be shut at midnight. What next? The queen of spices - cardamom comes to your rescue. Cardamom is known to cure digestive disorders. It relieves gas, heartburn and is a good remedy for indigestion. Ground cardamom along with ginger and cloves should do good.
Feeling depressed ? Cardamom helps treat depression too. The aroma of cardamom is said to clear confusions in the mind. According to naturopaths, a nightly dose of a pinch of powdered cardamom can yield great results for sexual dysfunctions.
Cineol, the major active component of cardamom oil, is a potent antiseptic that is known to kill bacteria producing bad breath and other infections.
We just learnt about the Arabic cardamom coffee combination. There’s a reason behind this too. Cardamom protects our body from the over-stimulating effects of caffeine, thus making it a health-friendly drink.
Recent research also suggests cancer-protective and blood pressure lowering activities of cardamom.
According to Ayurveda, cardamom also know‘ela’ has a soothing and relaxing effect on the nerves. It helps to feel rejuvenated and induce a calm state of the mind. Cardamom does have a whole lot to offer!
And ofcourse, since it is a winter spice, it is obliged to protect you from sore throat, cold and cough. In short, provide you with warmth as opposed to the cooling effect mentioned in Ayurveda.
Cardamom - Nutritional Composition
According to the NIN, 10g of cardamom ( approx. 21/2 tsp ) contains 23 kcal, 4 gm carbohydrates, 1 gm protein and negligible fat. It contains good amount of choline, a neurotransmitter. This explains the recent findings that cardamom aromatherapy helps relieve stress and anxiety.
Cardamom can be used to flavour tea, coffee,milk, some sweet dishes such as kheer, laddoos and in some Indian curries too. Western countries use cardamom to flavour breads and rolls too.
Cardamom folklore
Cardamom is said to draw love in. If you have planned your weekend party, and are hoping to bump into your someone special, then I suggest you carry some cardamom pods in your pocket or the girls could fancy a cardamom bracelet. It makes you a pro at flirting. Those filmy dialogues then flow very easily and fluently. Cleopatra also used cardamom to scent her palace when Mark Anthony would visit. Cardamom also helps bring clarity to the mind in cases of broken heart or misunderstandings in relations.
If cardamom is the queen of spices, then who is the king ? It’s the very strong and pungent black pepper. Black pepper itself is a box full of suprises which we shall read in our next blog.
