What is the benefit of cardamom, medicinal properties and contraindications of plant use?

Among the huge variety of spices imported from all parts of our planet, one of the most common is cardamom. This is the oldest Eastern spice with a thousand-year tradition. Cardamom is still popular in many countries of the world and is used by man in cooking, medicine and cosmetology. About what are the types of cardamom, as well as the beneficial properties and contraindications to the use of this wonderful spice will be discussed in this article.

Cardamom and its types

Cardamom is a close relative of ginger, turmeric, kalgan and guinea pepper. Spice comes from the Cardamom hills in southwestern India. It is especially popular in Asian cuisine. This plant is grown in various countries of Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka), as well as in South America (Guatemala). Whole pods, seeds or cardamom powder can be added to the dishes.However, cardamom is not always used as a pure seasoning, it is added to the spice mix.

The most common types are green and black cardamom. Both species belong to the ginger family. Each type has its pronounced flavor.

Green cardamom widespread in tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The fruits are thick green pods. This variety has high value and quality. Green cardamom has a rich sweet and spicy taste and a very pleasant strong aroma. Green cardamom can be called an aromatic spice - it is very reminiscent of mint by smell. Only a small amount of this spice gives a special taste to the dish. Cardamom is used in the preparation of sweets, pastries; it is added to tea or coffee.

Black cardamom It is found mainly in Asia and Australia and is widely used in Indian cuisine.This variety is characterized by dark brown pods that are larger than green cardamom. They look like tiny fibrous coconuts. Unlike green, black cardamom has a more tart and bitter taste. That is why it is rarely used to make desserts.

Instead, spice is used in savory (meat) dishes. Dark brown seeds are known for their medicinal value, in particular, due to the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, phosphorus, calcium and iron. Although the flavors of black and green cardamom are very different, black cardamom is often used as a substitute for green cardamom, as it is much cheaper.

Useful composition of cardamom

Cardamom has many beneficial and healing properties. Cardamom seeds are rich in important chemical elements and organic substances: calcium (383 mg), magnesium (229 mg), iron (13.97 mg), zinc (7.47 mg), sodium (18 mg), potassium (1119 mg), phosphorus (178 mg), manganese (28 mg). Cardamom contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, A. The nutritional value of cardamom: carbohydrates (52.5%), proteins (19%), fats (23%). The energy value of cardamom per 100 g is 311 Kcal. The content of essential oil in the seeds of cardamom can reach up to 8%, but largely depends on the storage conditions. The main chemical compound found in the cardamom essential oil is cineole. The aroma of cardamom is due to the combination of this compound with other components.

The essential oil in the seeds of cardamom contains the following components:

• Cineole (up to 70%);
• a-terpineol (45%);
• a-terpineol acetate (30%);
• myrcene (27%);
• b-pinene (16%);
• limonene (from 8 to 14%);
• menthone (6%);
• b-fellandren (3%);
• Sabinen (2%);
• heptane (2%).

In addition, there are: borneol, a-pinene, gumulene, u-terpinene, p-cumene, linalool, linalyl acetate, terpinen, citronellol, nerol, geraniol, eugenol methyl and trans-nerolidol.

What is the benefit of cardamom for the human body, the use of cardamom

In addition to taste, cardamom has a positive effect on our health. Cardamom seeds contain essential oil, which is widely used in traditional medicine. Cardamom seed compositions are also used in traditional medicine as tonic and stimulants. In addition, cardamom has antiseptic properties and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Cardamom use: relieving fatigue and improving body tone

Cardamom essential oil and its healing properties have only recently been under the scrutiny of scientists. However, in Asian culture, cardamom has been actively used for many centuries as a reliable remedy for depression and fatigue. Currently, the healing properties of cardamom are proven: it produces an amazing effect on the body. A cup of tea with a small amount of green cardamom helps to cheer up, gives energy. Practicing Ayurveda doctors are convinced that tea with cardamom is an excellent way to deal with depressive conditions. It contains a natural ingredient that tends to detoxify the body, which generally helps in the fight against depression. In addition, many of the vitamins and essential oils present in cardamom act as antioxidants, which helps in resisting cell aging. Antioxidants protect our body from stress, and also help in the fight against malaise. Cardamom cosmetics are known as aromatherapy products. Cardamom essential oil can be added to the bath. Such procedures help relieve tension and fatigue accumulated during a hard day. For the same purpose, cardamom seeds can be added to tea and other beverages. The warm and pleasant smell of cardamom essential oil has a great therapeutic effect. This magic spice is also very useful for children and teenagers. It contributes to the active work of the brain, increases the tone of the body, which is very important in the learning process. In addition, cardamom can have a cooling effect in extreme heat.

Medicinal properties of cardamom

Next, we consider cardamom from the point of view of its therapeutic properties and contraindications.

1. Relieves digestive problems. Cardamom has a particularly beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Fragrant seeds perfectly stimulate the work of the stomach, strengthen its walls.Cardamom seeds are the best folk remedy for stomach disorders, with flatulence (painful bloating), belching and heartburn. Cardamom helps to improve the process of digesting food, improves appetite. Add some ground cardamom to your dishes to improve your appetite.
2. Hiccups Spice provides protection against involuntary muscle spasms, such as gastrointestinal spasms of the stomach. Cardamom has antispasmodic properties, its use helps to get rid of hiccups.
3. Oral hygiene. In India, green cardamom is widely used to treat infections of the oral cavity. Cardamom is also used as a breath freshener. It is believed that several seeds of cardamom can solve the problems with bad breath.
4. Detoxification. Cardamom is often used to detoxify the body. As mentioned above, this spice is rich in useful minerals and vitamins such as vitamins A, B, C, niacin, riboflavin, etc. These components perfectly cleanse the blood and remove excess fluid, calcium and other toxins from the kidneys. Cardamom is often taken in the postpartum period.
5. Cold and flu. Cardamom is an excellent medicine for colds and flu; Helps prevent and alleviate the symptoms of these diseases. Just make yourself a tea of ​​cardamom, regularly use this healing drink, and the headache and tremor will disappear.
6. Fight against pathogens. People who are prone to various infections are also encouraged to eat cardamom. Due to the medicinal properties of this spice, it will be a good prevention of infections. Various essential oils contained in cardamom inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi.
7. Asthma. Cardamom is considered highly beneficial for asthma patients. It also acts as a folk remedy for whooping cough and bronchitis.
8. Hypertension. People suffering from hypertension, it is advisable to use cardamom on a regular basis. This spice has the ability to improve blood circulation, which, in turn, helps in reducing blood pressure in general.

Using cardamom for weight loss

Cardamom is considered the most famous spice, which helps to effectively fight against excess weight. Many women use cardamom as a means to lose weight.Cardamom in this case is a product that stimulates the process of metabolism, which contributes to the removal of toxins from the body. This exotic oriental spice is known for its warming, pungent, burning taste. For hundreds of years, it has been used by Indians to treat obesity. Cardamom can be used to make various medicinal drinks. Green tea with cardamom is the European version of tea for weight loss.

To make this drink, brew one tablespoon of high-quality green tea and half a teaspoon of cardamom seeds in a small thermos. The drink should brew for one night. In the morning, dilute the tincture with warm water. It is necessary to consume with liquid honey. It is necessary to drink at least two to four cups of this drink per day, half an hour before meals. It is strictly forbidden to drink this drink during meals.

The use of cardamom in cosmetology

Cardamom is often added to skin care products for antiseptic and anti-inflammatory purposes. Due to its therapeutic effect, cardamom soothes and improves skin condition.

Application:

1. Improves complexion. One of the benefits of cardamom is its ability to brighten the skin. Cardamom essential oil helps in removing blemishes, giving the skin a healthy look. In addition, cardamom contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. It improves blood circulation throughout the body, thereby improving skin tone and giving the skin a glow and freshness.
2. Lip care. Cardamom essential oil has moisturizing properties. Therefore, it is often added to lip cosmetics (for example, lip balms).
3. It gives flavor. Due to its pleasant spicy aroma, cardamom oil is used in the production of perfumes, soaps, shower gels, powders and other cosmetics. Essential oil contained in the seeds of cardamom, has a stimulating effect and is used in the manufacture of perfumes.
4. Great masking agent. The strong aroma of cardamom is able to dispel unpleasant odors. This makes it an excellent addition to cosmetic products that smell unattractive due to the inclusion of certain ingredients. Cardamom is added to these products to mask the unpleasant odor.
5. Skin allergy treatment. Black cardamom has beneficial antibacterial properties. It can be used as an antiseptic to treat skin allergies.
6. Healthy hair and scalp. Black cardamom has antioxidant properties that nourish the scalp. In addition, it has antibacterial properties that protect the scalp from infections and irritations. Cardamom helps in strengthening the roots and gives shine to hair.

How to use cardamom in cooking

Cardamom is widely used throughout the world in the preparation of many sweet and savory dishes. Spice is available in pods, in the form of grains (seeds), and also in a ground form (powder).

Grind the grains with a mortar before use.If you use cardamom to flavor stews or other hot dishes, slightly crush the whole pod and add to the dish. Once the dish is ready, remove the used pod. Cardamom can be added to tea, coffee, liqueur and other beverages to give a pleasant and refreshing flavor. You can add cardamom powder to ground coffee before cooking.

In addition, cardamom powder can be used to flavor bread, cakes, pastries, cookies, desserts. And finally, cardamom is added to savory dishes: soups, stews, mashed potatoes, cereals, pies, rice dishes. Cardamom gives spice to meat dishes; often used in marinating meat for kebabs. Cardamom is also added to pickles and marinade for herring.

The use of cardamom in different national cuisines:

• In Asia Cardamom is used to flavor various hot and sweet dishes. Green cardamom is widely used in Indian cuisine and is one of the main components of garam masala (a mixture of spices). Cardamom is also an important ingredient in the preparation of curry powder. This spice is often added to Indian sweets and drinks (tea, coffee, tinctures). In Northern India, cardamom is widely used in rice dishes.In Sri Lanka, cardamom pods are added to spicy dishes of beef or chicken (curry chicken).
• Cardamom, due to its amazing taste characteristics and properties, has gained widespread use throughout the arab world. In these countries, cardamom is one of the most popular spices. Coffee with cardamom is a symbol of hospitality and prestige. A small amount of cardamom gives the coffee a tempting aroma. In the Middle Eastern cuisine, green cardamom is used as a spice for sweets or as a traditional supplement to tea or coffee.
• Cardamom is widely used as a flavoring agent in cooking known Turkish coffee.
• In addition to salty dishes, the spice is used in various desserts and sweets. Cardamom is present in country kitchens Northern Europe. In the Scandinavian countries, it is used in flavoring all kinds of sweet pastries and bread instead of cinnamon (Danish pastries, Finnish sweet bread, Swedish yeast bread).

Can cardamom harm the body?

Contraindication to the use of cardamom in any form is hypersensitivity to this spice. You must be very careful about the dosage of cardamom. The pronounced taste and aroma of this spice can cause serious allergic reactions.

People with inflammatory bowel disease, gallstones and colic should also avoid eating this spice. In addition, the spice cardamom has properties that stimulate menstruation. Therefore, cardamom is not recommended for women suffering from endometriosis. For the same reason, it is not recommended for women during pregnancy and lactation. Essential oil and seeds of cardamom should not be given to children under the age of 6 years.

Cardamom - one of the oldest condiments known to man. Today this exotic spice is an important component in cooking all over the world. Cardamom is used in making tea, coffee, many desserts and other delicious dishes. Cardamom has a rich tempting spicy-sweet taste and a unique mysterious aroma that will not leave anyone indifferent.