by Pam Uher

Created on: March 04, 2010

Cardamom and Your Health

Cardamom (Elettaria Cardamomum) – is known as the aromatic spicy plant that is used as seasoning like cinnamon and cloves especially in pickles, curries, chai and barbecue sauces. It is one of the most valued spices in the world. Cardamom grows as a perennial herb found mainly in India, although Sri Lanka and Guatemala (reportedly the largest modern day producer and distributor: 2007) are active producers in our present age. It has been an active article of merchant trade for centuries.

Cardamom is the name used for two types of herbs from the ginger family of Zingiberaceae:  Elettaria and Amomum.

Elettaria is called cardamom, green cardamom, or true cardamom and is distributed from India to Malaysia.

Amomum, also known as black cardamom, brown cardamom, Java cardamom, white or red cardamom is distributed mainly through-out Asia and Australia.

This pungent and flavorful spice, found in kitchens and restaurants around the world, also can benefit our health in various ways. The dried cardamom fruit pods and seeds constitute the part of the plant used mainly for medicinal and health purposes. For centuries it has been an active agent in Ayurvedic health remedies and treatments. It was also used by the Romans and Greeks as an aphrodisiac used in love potions.

Health Benefits

Green cardamom is used widely through - out South Asian communities to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat infections, congestion of the lungs and tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive disorders.  It is known to help with acidity in the stomach.

Cardamom also is used to help break up kidney stones, gall stones and acts as an agent that sooth mucous membranes of internal organs, while cleansing the kidneys of toxins.

 It is reported by rural villagers in Asian and Indian communities, as being an ancient natural remedy used as an antidote for deadly snake and scorpion bites.

Tinctures and the essential oil of Cardamom are used to inhibit and rid the body of flatulence; especially gas caused by garlic and onions.

Tablets and powder packets of ground cardamom seed mixed with ginger, cloves and coriander is used as an effective homeopathic remedy for indigestion.

Cardamom teas are effectively used for headaches.

The cardamom seed can be chewed, like gum, as a breath freshener.

Cardamom seeds ground and pressed into incense are used in aromatherapy, to help relax and reduce stress.

Teas and tinctures are commonly used for constipation and dysentery in India, Japan, Korea and many other Asian countries.

The powder of cardamom seeds mixed with dried banana leaf and amla juice is used as a treatment for cystitis, nephritis and some STD’s (such as gonorrhea).

Cardamom powder mixed with milk and honey is a homeopathic compound used to treat impotency (supposedly with good results). Certainly it is a great deal less expensive than Viagra.

Sore throats and voice hoarseness can be effectively treated by gargling with a cardamom and cinnamon solution.

Using an infusion of boiled cardamom and mint leaves can ‘cure’ the hiccups many old folks say.

Ayurvedic health practitioners have used it to treat asthma, colds, bronchitis, the flu and other lung congestion issues for decades with documented success.

Cardamom can be found in powder, pod, tincture and essential oil forms. Grinding your own cardamom pods guarantees freshness for teas and compounds used for health issues and is highly recommended, since potency shelf-life of powders and teas is limited.

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