“The secret of happiness is variety, but the secret of variety, like the secret of all spices, is knowing when to use it.”
Cardamom is a spice that belongs to the same botanical family as ginger and turmeric. It is part of the Zingiberaceae family and is sold in pods, seeds, and powder form.
Interesting to note, cardamom is one of the world’s oldest spices to be discovered. It is native to the East originating in the forests of the western ghats in southern India, where it grows wild.
Today, it is grown in many other parts of the world. The spice can be used in a variety of meals including meats and starches such as pilau.
This spice single-handedly has numerous benefits and is even deemed The Queen of Spices. Here are some of them:
1. Lowers blood pressure
Cardamom contains antioxidant and diuretic properties that may lower blood pressure. In a study, researchers gave three grams of cardamom powder a day to 20 adults who were newly diagnosed with high blood pressure. After 12 weeks, blood pressure levels had significantly decreased to the normal range. It increases the urine volume and excretes higher levels of sodium and potassium ions. This, in turn, helps to relax blood vessel walls, which decreases blood pressure.
2. Heals stomach ulcers
If you have ever suffered from ulcers, you know how excruciatingly painful it can be. The good news? Researchers have found a correlation between cardamom spice and the healing of ulcers. A study in rats found that cardamom extract alone could completely prevent or reduce the size of gastric ulcers by at least 50%. Cineol is the oil present in cardamom which can heal stomach ulcers. It has anti-bacterial properties and can act against Helicobacter pylori, which are the primary reason for stomach ulcers.
3. Oral health
If you suffer from bad breath or even cavities, you should definitely try adding cardamom to your diet. The use of cardamom to treat bad breath and improve oral health is an ancient remedy. The seeds specifically have an aromatic, sweet flavour and can be used to sweeten your breath. Other than this, it has the ability to fight common mouth bacteria. In fact, a study found that cardamom extracts were effective in fighting five bacteria that can cause dental cavities.
4. Prevents blood clot
Pulmonary embolism is a condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood clot. It can be life-threatening. Cardamom prevents dangerous blood clots by preventing platelet aggregation and sticking to the artery walls. According to research, the spice contains several components that relieve blood clots.
5. Treats asthma
Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus. This makes breathing difficult and triggers coughing, a whistling sound (wheezing), and shortness of breath. Cardamom may improve breathing and oxygen by relaxing your airway. It may prevent inflamed airways from restricting and thereby improving breathing. A study in rats and rabbits found that injections of cardamom extract could relax the throat air passage.
6. Lowers the blood sugar levels
Hyperglycemia is a type of diabetes in which the blood sugar levels are higher than optimum. It occurs when the body does not produce or use enough insulin, which is a hormone that absorbs glucose into cells for use as energy. It can damage the vessels that supply blood to vital organs, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems. Where does cardamom come in? Many scientific studies conducted on the effects of cardamom suggest that the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic properties of the spice may help in regulating blood sugar level.
