Cardamom, The Queen of spices

Cardamom is native to the evergreen forests of India. This spice is commonly used in Indian cuisine, but it has also made its way into Indian medicine as a treatment for mouth ulcers, digestive problems, and even depression. It is regarded as the Queen of Spices and is one of the most expensive spices, ranking third, the first and second being saffron and vanilla, respectively. Some of the health benefits of this peppery, citrusy spice are now making their way into modern studies.

Let us look at the health benefits. Cardamom is an important ingredient in cooking dishes all around the world today. Belonging to the ginger family, this spice is used in desserts, tea, coffee and many more delicious dishes.

Improves Digestion

Cardamom has carminative properties that help in the digestion process. It reduces flatulence and bloating and helps treat colic and stomach cramping. Plus, it increases bile flow, which in turn improves digestion of fats as well as other nutrients.

To use cardamom for digestive problems, you can consume the seeds plain, sprinkle ground cardamom on your food or go for a healthy cup of cardamom tea. As cardamom seeds have a pungent, sweet flavor most people like it, including children.

Hiccups

Cardamom is an antispasmodic spice which can help you in getting rid of hiccups. It provides relief from involuntary muscle spasms, like intestinal and stomach cramps.

Beats Bad Breath

 Also, oil extracted from cardamom seeds contains compounds that kill the bacteria causing bad breath and other infections.

Simply chew on a pod of cardamom after every meal or whenever you need to freshen up your breath. Also, you can drink some cardamom tea or rinse your mouth with lukewarm cardamom tea twice daily. It will work as an effective antiseptic mouth rinse.

Improves Appetite

Cardamom works as a warm digestive tonic that can deal with indigestion, flatulence and acidity that can reduce your appetite. Plus, it stimulates the secretion of digestive juices, which in turn improves appetite.

Detoxification

Cardamoms are known to detoxify the body. They are rich in minerals and vitamins like Vitamin A, B, C, niacin, riboflavin etc. It is a great blood purifier and removes excess urea, calcium and other toxins from the kidney. 

Improves Kidney Health

Cardamom is said to be good for the kidneys as it promotes urination and lowers blood pressure as well as removes calcium and urea accumulated in the kidneys.

Regular use of cardamom can help treat a wide variety of kidney, bladder, and urinary problems like kidney stones, nephritis, burning or painful urination, and frequent urges to urinate. It is also often used in the treatment of urinary tract infections.

Both whole and ground cardamom can be used to improve kidney functioning.

Regularizes Heart Rate

Packed with minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium, cardamom is good for your heart. Potassium is one of the main components of your blood, body fluids and cells.

Adequate potassium is required to regularize your heart rate and keep your blood pressure under control. Plus, cardamom can prevent platelet aggregation and inflammation, in turn reducing the risk of blood clots and strokes.

Antioxidants

Many of the phytonutrients, vitamins and essential oils which are present in cardamom act as antioxidants. This magical spice helps in cleaning up the free radicals and tends to resist cellular aging.

Depression

Though the real science behind the anti-depressant qualities of this spice has not been studied yet, Indian practitioners firmly believe that the cardamom tea is a perfect way to fight depression. It has a natural ingredient which tends to detoxify the body and rejuvenate the cells which altogether help in fighting depression.

Cold and Flu

Cardamom is a pungent spice which tends to help in preventing and relieving cold and flu symptoms. Cardamom is a good home remedy for cold and flu. Just make cardamom tea, consume and your headache and cold will be gone in a jiffy.

Fights Anemia

Cardamom has powerful antioxidants that help replenish vitamins lost during an anemic condition. It also has copper, iron, manganese and essential vitamins like riboflavin, vitamin C and niacin, which are good for fighting symptoms of anemia like fatigue and weakness. All these nutrients help in the production of red blood cells and cellular metabolism.

Alleviates Asthma

Asthma sufferers can use cardamom to get relief from symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.

Cardamom helps make breathing easier by increasing blood circulation within the lungs, fighting inflammation, and soothing mucous membranes. The warm nature of cardamom also helps promote expulsion of phlegm and relieves chest congestion.

Regular use of cardamom in small quantities is highly beneficial for those suffering from asthma or bronchitis. Simply add cardamom powder to food or drink cardamom tea.

Combats Cancer

Cardamom contains IC3 and DIM, the phytochemicals that are well-known cancer fighters. It inhibits the growth of hormones responsible for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer, among others. Consuming cardamom regularly may help prevent these forms of cancer.

Also, studies have found that the powerful antioxidants in cardamom are very beneficial for those suffering from colon cancer.

Eat one-half teaspoon of cardamom powder daily to combat and ward off cancer.

Sources: 

sunwarrior.com

top10homeremedies.com

stylecraze.com