Cardamom known as “Elaichi” in hindi is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae. It is the world’s third-most expensive spice, surpassed in price per weight only by vanilla and saffron. Cardamoms are an exotic spice from India. Warm, fragrant and mysterious it has a unique and pleasant fragrance. Which is attached with hefty cardamom health benefits. They are of two types as

Green Cardamom (Choti elaichi)

Brown Cardamom (badi elaichi)

Cardamom benefits for skin,hair and health benefits of Cardamom (elaichi)

Both form of cardamom are used as flavorings and cooking spices in both food and drink, and as a medicine. E. cardamomum (green cardamom pods) is used as a spice, a masticatory, and in medicine it is also smoked. Green cardamom is broadly used in South Asia to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids, and digestive disorders. It also is used to break up kidney and gall stones, and was reportedly used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venoms.

Cardamom Health Benefits

• Antioxidants

Many of the phytonutrients, vitamins and essential oils which are present in cardamom act as antioxidants. Cardamom benefits in fighting free radical.

• Cardamom health benefits for Cold and Flu

Cardamom spice is pungent which helps in preventing and relieving cold and flu symptoms. Cardamom pods are a good home remedy for cold and flu. For this have a cardamom tea and unleash cardamom health benefits.

Carrot nutrition facts health benefits and recipes

• Asthma

Cardamom is considered to be highly beneficial for asthma patients. It also acts as a natural remedy for whooping cough and bronchitis.

• Improves Appetite

Add some ground cardamom to any of the curry or chew some of Cardamom seeds which contains cardamom essential oil to improve appetite.

• Hiccup

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.

Advocated reading Turmeric- A queen of spice

• 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.

• Bad breath/Oral Health

Cardamom is a cure for bad breath. It is also used for mouth ulcers and mouth infections. Chew a couple of cardamom seeds and it solves your breath problem.

• Hypertension

Cardamom has the capability of improving blood circulation to the lungs. This helps in reducing your blood pressure.It is adviced to consume it on a regular basis. To achieve cardamom health benefits.

 

Skin benefits of Cardamom

• Improves Blood Circulation

Cardamom contains vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant. It improves blood circulation throughout the body, thus improving skin complexion as well.

Advocated reading Basil- Mother of all herbs

• Treatment of Skin Allergy

Black cardamom has antibacterial properties. It can be used as an antiseptic to treat skin allergies.

 

• Lip Care

Cardamom essential oil is often added to cosmetics that are applied to the lips such as lip balms to impart the taste of the oil and make them smooth.

• Cardamom for Skin

Black cardamom help in flushing out the toxins, free radicals and dangerous fluids those are harmful to the body including skin. Therefore, chewing on some black cardamom benefits as it detoxifies body, thus providing a clearer skin.

Hair benefits of Cardamom

• Treatment of Scalp Infections

Cardamom possess antibacterial properties. which prevent the scalp from infections and irritation.

• Hair Health

Cardamom benefits in strengthening the root. It is also known to provide shine and luster to hair.

Ways to have Cardamom in diet (Cardamom recipes)

Cardamom and saffron syrup recipe

Ingredients:

1 kg sugar.
800 ml water.
2 tsp citric acid.
30 green cardamom.
30 black peppercorns.
1/2 tsp saffron (kesar) strands.

Method:

• Powder together cardamom with skin & pepper & mix with powdered saffron.
• Combine sugar, water & citric acid & put on medium flame.
• Dissolve sugar, stirring well & let it boil for 10 min.
• Add the spice powder mixture & boil for 5 min.
• Remove & keep closed to retain flavours.
• Cool & bottle.

Cardamom tea

Ingredients:

Milk 3/4 Cup

Water 1/2 Cup

Tea or tea leaves 1 and 1/4 tsp

Ginger  A small piece

Green Cardamom 1

Sugar  As needed

Method:

• Crush the ginger and cardamom pods using a mortar and pestle. Crush the cardamom seeds nicely. so that it will give a nice flavor to the tea.
• Boil the water in a sauce pan. and add the crushed ginger ,cardamom and tea leaves/powder. Let this boil for 2- 3 minutes in a very low flame. The flavor of the tea, ginger and cardamom will now get infused into the water.  Add the milk now.
• Keep the flame little high and when it comes to boil, lower the flame. Simmer for 5 seconds. Cover it for 3 seconds. Switch off the flame. Filter this now.
• Add sugar as desired . Mix well and serve hot with cardamom health benefits Indian way.

In the end:

Cardamom recipes can be used for cardamom health benefits.