Herbal Tea: Cardamom

A perennial herb native to Southeast Asian countries such as India and Sri Lanka. Mainly, the seed of the cardamom herb is put to use in cooking. The botanical name of cardamom is Elattaria Cardamomum. It has a very sweet and pleasant aroma. Cardamom has been widely used for ages as a wonderful spice. For its excellent aroma and health benefits, cardamom is often referred to as the queen of spices.

Cardamom contains a number of volatile oils that provide numerous health benefits such as aiding digestion and improving metabolism. Cardamom cloves are used as a versatile spice for pungent and sweet dishes and can be ground into a powder after having the seeds removed. Cardamom medicinal uses range from relieving stomach dyspepsia, increasing appetite, soothing the mucus membranes, relieving gas and heartburn, and eliminating bad breath. Cardamom spice substitutes are easily available in tinctures as volatile oil extracts of black cardamom seeds. These can be used in enhancing the flavor of food dishes, however, a very small quantity must be used as it is in a highly concentrated form. The health benefits of cardamom are seen in treating diseases such as gonorrhea, urinary tract disorders, cystitis, and nephritis.

Tea blended with the powdered seeds of the herb helps in relieving depression and is one of the many cardamom health benefits offered. The herbalists also use cardamom seed extracts in treating sexual dysfunctions such as impotency and premature ejaculation. However, care must be taken not to exceed more than a pinch of cardamom seed extracts, as excessive use may lead to impotency. In herbal tea made of cardamom and cinnamon extract helps in relieving sore throat, throat disorders and hoarseness during a bout of flu. The essential volatile oil in cardamom is used in many pharmaceutical preparations and is also an important ingredient in perfumes and flavoring liquors and bitters. The pharmacological effects of cardamom seeds or cardamom oil can be used as a form of treatment for inflamed nerves and backaches. A pinch of cardamom powder also helps in preventing nausea and vomiting, due to the antispasmodic properties of the herb. In a particular medical study, cardamom oil was shown to have a possible analgesic effect, and further research revealed its potent anti-inflammatory effect. Cardamom seed oil can also be applied to external swellings especially pain in the joints, as it helps to control the swelling and ease of pain.

Take advantage of cardamom’s warming aromatic properties to add flavor to vegetables. Light coat cauliflower in a mixture of extra-virgin olive oil and cardamom, then roast it in the oven until tender and slightly browned. Add cardamom to lentil stews and soups, or use a mixture of cardamom and lemon juice as a healthful flavoring for chicken. Alternatively, make your own chai tea mix by combining black or green tea with cardamom, anise, cinnamon and black peppercorns for a low-calorie and healthful beverage.

Source: https://www.livestrong.com/article/338907-health-benefits-of-cardamom/

Source: https://www.sunwarrior.com/news/15-health-benefits-of-cardamom/